Tasmanian Labor, Greens call for Racing Minister Jane Howlett to resign over unanswered legal bill questions

The Tasmanian Greens have joined Labor’s calls for Racing Minister Jane Howlett to resign over a failure to answer questions about her publicly funded legal proceedings.

In March, in response to questions from the Greens, Treasurer Eric Abetz told parliament that $303,800 was spent by Ms Howlett “in the execution of her official duties”.

But the legal bill — and the lack of detail surrounding it — has drawn the ire of the state’s opposition parties.

If successful, it would be the second ministerial loss to the Tasmanian Liberals in as many weeks.

Last month, former Liberal minister Madeleine Ogilvie resigned from cabinet following accusations she misled parliament on her involvement in a Supreme Court action.

Speaking at the time, Ms Ogilvie said she made the decision to move to the backbench in a choice “between upholding legal obligations to the court or providing the Greens with information to which they are not entitled”.

The Greens and Labor believe Ms Howlett, too, should either resign or be sacked.

“In Labor’s view, public confidence and trust in Minister Howlett has been eroded by her failure to provide answers to the serious questions surrounding her conduct,” Labor leader Josh Willie said.

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said that unlike Ms Ogilvie, Ms Howlett had failed to disclose the “most basic fact of her legal matter — whether or not it involves a court proceeding”.

But government minister Nick Duigan said the two cases were not the same.

“What we’re seeing here is Labor … and the Greens trying to muddy the waters and trying to draw a line between these two things, where there is in fact a substantial difference,” he said.

“The premier says he’s not prepared to make any statements about these things publicly or in parliament, statements that may be unlawful. We need to be respectful of the legal process.”

Both Mr Willie and Dr Woodruff have reminded the chamber that ministers are bound by integrity standards outlined in the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

In a letter, Premier Jeremy Rockliff responded to Mr Willie’s claim, saying Ms Howlett continued to abide by the code of conduct.

“You further claim that I possess detailed knowledge of the matters you describe and imply that this knowledge should be publicly disclosed,” Mr Rockliff wrote.

“This misunderstands both the nature of approvals for legal expenditure and the conventions that appropriately limit the sharing of sensitive information. Decisions are made in accordance with established processes and advice, not on the basis of political considerations or commentary.”

Cabinet can choose to approve legal indemnity for legal matters that ministers face in their roles.

Rockliff should seek ‘legal advice’ for transparency, Greens say

Dr Woodruff has urged the premier — who has frequently said he cannot comment on the legal matters — to seek advice from the solicitor-general on what he can and cannot say about his ministers’ legal matters in the interest of providing transparency.

Premier Rockliff has repeatedly called the matter “complex”, citing a suppression order on Ms Ogilvie’s Supreme Court action.

“Would it be a legal issue if he said within which portfolio these proceedings relate? Can he really not tell us when cabinet first made the decision to grant these MPs taxpayer-funded legal assistance?” Ms Woodruff asked.

On Ms Ogilvie’s court action, Mr Rockliff eventually apologised for his handling of questioning and provided more details.

He also announced integrity reforms and pledged more transparency, including enhanced public reporting and potentially introducing cross-party visibility in decisions relating to the granting of taxpayer money for legal fees.