Jeremy Rockliff and his government need to stop the game of pretend and be truthful about the whole sorry story of TasRacing’s election campaign communications.
On Tuesday, speaking about CorComms’ Nick Turner communicating with an adviser in former Minister Howlett’s office, the Premier told Parliament:
“My understanding is that Mr Turner sent the adviser an email, which the adviser believed was a clarification about whether TasInsure would cover workers’ compensation… Mr Turner did not tell the adviser the intention was to distribute the words as a general message to industry.”
Upon finding out that the email from Mr Turner to the adviser actually made it explicit that it was a “message to industry”, the Premier should have apologised.
Instead, a statement provided on his behalf to Parliament said:
“The Premier is advised the adviser does not recall receiving the email”.
The big problem is that, only two days earlier, the Premier told Parliament Ms Howlett’s adviser had in fact seen the email. He also blamed Mr Turner for not explaining the intention behind his email.
This is an irreconcilable contradiction. After months of the Government changing their story about this situation repeatedly, finally their own words have caught up with them.
Despite what Parliament has been told, it is now beyond dispute that the Minister’s office was aware of plans to publicly communicate this message. It should not need to be said that ‘racing industry participants’ are members of the public.
The Premier owes the Parliament and public a complete, accurate and honest explanation of this matter.
