Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
For too long Tasmania has been known, correctly, as the secret state. We have had millions in dirty money flowing into the major parties’ coffers without ever having to be declared publicly and dirty elections that treat Tasmanian voters like mushrooms. The worst example of all was the 2018 election, which was purchased by pokie barons for the handsome price of at least $4 million, of which less than a quarter was declared. Then we had your pork-barrelling sports rorts policy, which even our toothless Integrity Commission dubbed electoral bribery. After years of promises to clean up electoral laws, last year you pushed through legislation that still leaves Tasmania with the weakest electoral disclosure laws, with the support of your Labor colleagues at the time, of course. In this new collaborative parliament, will you support moves to strengthen Tasmania’s electoral laws? I will note, Madam Speaker, that this does not pre-empt an order of the day because we do not talk about the legislation at all.
Madam SPEAKER – I was sure you were going to ask about pre-empting an order of the day and I have sought some advice on that. Because it is a notice of motion, some leniency is provided that is not provided for legislation brought on normally, so I will allow the question.
Dr Woodruff – It is a general question about reforms to our electoral laws.
Madam SPEAKER – I have already said that. That is fine.
Mr Ferguson – It is a bill.
Madam SPEAKER – Yes, but because the member is not actually talking about the bill itself, leniency is allowed. I have taken advice on that to be absolutely sure. Thank you, Deputy Premier.
Dr Woodruff – Moves to strengthen our electoral laws.
Madam SPEAKER – Thank you. I do not think we need to interject anymore. We know that the Premier is trying to answer the question now. We look forward to it.
Dr Woodruff – Positively, I hope.
Mr Ferguson – Put a sock in it.
Mr SPEAKER – First of all, the Leader of the Greens will stop interjecting and the ‘put a sock in it’ comment is completely unacceptable. We will not have that kind of language in this House. I call the Premier.
Dr Woodruff – Thank you, hear, hear.
Mr Abetz – I’ve got some other suggestions.
Madam SPEAKER – Sorry, who was that?
Dr Woodruff – We don’t need your vile comments, Mr Abetz.
Madam SPEAKER – Before I call the Premier, we have had some really quite distressing questions being asked today in parliament that are causing a number of people a significant amount of distress without deteriorating into rudeness. If we want to set a better example for the community and have this parliament look like it is functioning well, those kind of interjections on both sides will absolutely stop. I call the Premier to answer the question.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I recall many times in this place, particularly between 2010 and 2014, when there was a significant donation, if I remember, of $1.6 million to the Tasmanian Greens and you characterise the reform in a way that butter would not melt in your mouth in terms of the Greens. I think your bill is probably designed to support the Greens as much as possible continuing with their arrangements at the expense of others. Madam Speaker – sorry, honourable Speaker –
Madam SPEAKER – Not yet, not until after today. We have not done that yet. I am not ‘honourable’ yet.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I am proud to have led a government that had the most significant donation law reforms in Tasmania’s history.
Members interjecting.
Mr ROCKLIFF – You characterise it in a certain way, but the facts remain. The Liberal government brought in transparency and accountability when it comes to electoral donation reform.
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER – To be fair, Premier, you are inviting those interjections.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I am proud of that fact. You will have your discussion today, no doubt, with your legislation. We will make some comments at that time, but the hypocrisy of the honourable member is noted.
