Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
The Coordinator‑General was asked in the PAC (Public Accounts Committee) whether you were aware of his opinion piece before it was published. He said the economic analysis was, quote: ‘Presented to the minister and Premier beforehand, but not the op-ed’. Mr Perry later provided a letter to PAC stating that on 10 October, he directly emailed the Premier, Treasurer, and the Premier’s chief of staff with a final opinion piece. The RTI shows your chief of staff and deputy secretary were sent a draft opinion piece on 8 October. Your deputy secretary asked the Coordinator‑General to delay this release of the opinion piece to coincide with the government’s response to the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s (TPC) final stadium report. Premier, did you know about the Devils’ and the NBA’s involvement in writing this op‑ed? What’s the extent of your office’s involvement in cooking it up? Are you at all concerned about the Coordinator‑General misleading PAC?
ANSWER
I can find some more detail to the answer, but I was briefed by the Coordinator‑General on this matter. He asked permission to put out the opinion piece, and I said yes. We’ll go back to other matters of your question, but you’re against the stadium, I’m for it. I expect a coordinator‑general to do whatever is possible to drive investment into Tasmania. That is my expectation of all involved in areas of economic responsibility in and across government, to provide jobs and opportunity for Tasmanians.
Supplementary Question
Dr WOODRUFF – The Office of the Coordinator‑General is a state servant. Does the Premier stand by his responses in questions last year in Estimates about this matter, where you said that this was independent assessment undertaken by the Office of Coordinator‑General? Do you stand by that statement?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Firstly, I do stand by the Coordinator‑General. The individual is a tremendous Tasmanian that’s come back to Tasmania and done a tremendous job for the people of Tasmania in attracting investment, but also showcasing Tasmania to the world.
Dr Woodruff – But it wasn’t independent.
The SPEAKER – Order. Honourable Leader of the Greens, you’ve asked a question.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Which is tremendous. So, yes, I do stand by the Coordinator‑General.
