Peter
Gutwein has failed in his duty to ensure his ministers face consequences for
lying to the Tasmanian community.
Labor
Leader Rebecca White said her call for the Premier to initiate a formal
investigation into Roger Jaensch’s repeated dishonesty has fallen on deaf ears.
“It’s been
two weeks since Roger Jaensch lied to the Tasmanian Parliament, and more than a
week since I wrote to Peter Gutwein calling
for an independent investigation into a breach of the Ministerial Code of
Conduct. The Premier has had plenty of time to take action.
“At a time
when people in his own electorate are struggling
to find affordable rentals, Roger Jaensch decided to make it easier to
evict people with no ‘genuine or just’ cause and then had the nerve to lie
about it in State Parliament.
“The
Ministerial Code of Conduct is crystal clear:
“Ministers must not mislead Parliament or
the public in statements they make and are obliged to correct the Parliamentary
or the public record in a manner that is appropriate to the circumstances as
soon as possible after any incorrect statement is made.”
“On any reasonable interpretation
Roger Jaensch misled Parliament.
“Adam
Brooks’ resignation from Parliament last year after lying to the Tasmanian
Parliament should remind the Premier that this sort of behaviour should simply
not be tolerated.
“It is the
Premier’s responsibility to ensure that his Ministers display the highest standards
of honesty and integrity. If Ministers can’t be trusted to tell the truth in
Parliament, how can Tasmanians have confidence in anything they say?
“Roger Jaensch appears to have no intention of doing the right thing by resigning. It is the Premier’s responsibility to uphold the Ministerial Code of Conduct by sacking his lying minister.”
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
