Dr WOODRUFF question to MINISTER for ENVIRONMENT, Ms OGILVIE
What do you have to hide? Why can’t you just tell us what the legal fees were for and how much it cost taxpayers?
ANSWER
Laced with tone, again. Our public officers and ministers, all of us, are involved in complex issues and undertaking duties in serving the Tasmanian community of which you’re well aware. From time to time they may be the subject of legal proceedings, inquiries, claims and other actions. Despite the fact they’re acting in good faith and within the scope of their duties. It’s sometimes necessary to provide legal assistance and indemnity to public officers and ministers to protect the Crown’s interests and the integrity and effective management of the State Service and ensure fair treatment.
The legal assistance framework is not something new. It was first put into place under the former Labor government. The decision to grant indemnity or legal advice is not taken lightly and as I’ve said, I’m not going to be drawn into responding to questions that seek information from which I’m precluded from providing.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – Everything the minister talked about was obviously in relation to her role at work, which is why there should be no problems with her telling Tasmanians how much is spent on the legal fees for that. Minister, why don’t you just table the legal fees, the amount and what it was about?
The SPEAKER – Honourable minister.
Ms OGILVIE – Again, I’m not going to be drawn into responding to questions that seek information from which I’m precluded from providing.
Dr Woodruff – Minister, but you’re not precluded.
The SPEAKER – Order, the Leader of the Opposition, already has the call.
