Elise Archer,Attorney-General
The Independent Member for Clark, Kristie Johnston, is once again making absolutely baseless allegations in the Parliament without any basis or evidence.
However, this time she has failed to do even the most basic of research, as all it would’ve taken is a search of Hansard to inform her she was on the wrong track.
Former Minister Matthew Groom* clearly stated on the record, in Parliament, that he had no involvement in the decision-making relating to any development at Arm End due to his brother being involved in the proposal – instead delegating all responsibilities to my predecessor as Attorney-General, the late Dr Vanessa Goodwin.
He declared his potential conflict in the appropriate manner.
For Ms Johnston to raise this issue today and attempt to allege there was corruption involved, without even bothering to check the record, is simply appalling, and calls into question her ability to be a Member of Parliament.
Ironically, in recent weeks of Parliament, I have needed to draw Ms Johnston’s attention to her own obligations as a Member of Parliament under the Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians, and other laws.
Unfortunately. this is not the first time Ms Johnston has displayed an appalling lack of awareness or judgment around issues of integrity.
This week alone she has continually made serious and continued assertions that there are fundamental integrity issues that are not currently being addressed, despite not being able to point to a single specific instance of alleged misconduct or corruption in Tasmania to substantiate any of these claims.
If she has legitimate concerns, she should – and indeed must – report such behaviour to the Integrity Commission, Tasmania Police or the Director of Public Prosecution – as the appropriate and responsible authorities to investigate such misconduct or offences – to ensure any claim she may have is investigated in accordance with the law.
I would also urge Ms Johnston to actually do some research next time and to certainly apologise.
*Hansard Transcript, 15 October 2015
Mr Groom: “In light of the fact that my brother is the chair of that company, which is a matter of public record, I have delegated all responsibilities for that development to the Attorney-General, Dr Vanessa Goodwin, and I have had no involvement in any decision-making.”
