Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
The Liberal Party has earned a reputation for its dodgy deals, money with mates, and special favours for donors. While you refuse to be honest with Tasmanians about whether this developer made donations to the Liberals – the Stony Rise developer – we now know they did. It is a pretty clear picture: developer wants something, developer donates money to the Liberals, developers get what they want. Quid pro quo.
This looks like corruption, it sounds like corruption, and it stinks like corruption. If the Integrity Commission investigates you or another Liberal member for this, will you ensure cooperation, or will you make it impossible for them to progress their investigation, as it seems other MPs are doing?
The SPEAKER – The allegation of corruption was very carefully skirted against. I remind members that they can raise allegations as the subject of a substantive motion of the House, if you wish to do so, but I am trying to get members to have a better standard of behaviour in accusations against each other. I noticed the Attorney‑General is nodding and he was pinged for it yesterday. If we could be cautious with that. However, Premier, I will draw you to the question that has been asked about your role, should there be an investigation.
Mr Ellis – The parliament is corrupt? That is what you are saying.
The SPEAKER – Mr Ellis, would you like to be the Premier and answer the question right now, or would you like to think about leaving the Chamber?
Mr Rockliff – Do not answer that, Felix.
Dr Woodruff – We would like to hear from the minister as well, on this matter. Step up and be honest with Tasmanians? Who did get the money?
The SPEAKER – No, do not answer that question. The Leader of the Greens will stop interjecting and Mr Ellis will be going outside if he does it again.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I utterly reject the inference. I reject it on behalf of the Liberal Party and our team. If you will indulge me, I will reject it on behalf of other independents in the upper House that supported this motion. Are you having the same accusation at my opposite numbers at independents in the Legislative Council? Are you serious?
Mr Bayley – The developer said they donated to you.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Quite frankly, I thought better of you.
Dr Woodruff – It is the Liberals, not the independents.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Just because you did not get your way does not mean the rest of the parliament is corrupt.
Dr Woodruff – We are talking about you.
The SPEAKER – The Leader of the Greens will listen to the answer she has asked for.
Mr ROCKLIFF – It does not mean that. I utterly reject the inference on behalf of our team. Others may well want to speak as well. The $1.6 million donation that you received ‑ what did you do for that, as an example? Be very careful with what you say when you throw stones in this place. I reject the inference, and I thought better of you, Dr Woodruff.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question. I remind members that they may wish to grab their copy of Standing Orders and have a look at Standing Order 44.
Dr WOODRUFF – The question was in relation to our Integrity Commission. If an investigation was done into this matter, would you ensure full cooperation from yourself or any other Liberal member who may be investigated?
The SPEAKER – I will call the Premier to the question about that part, noting that part of it is a matter for the presiding officer of this House.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Of course we will comply with the law.
Dr Woodruff – We know it is inadequate at the moment.
The SPEAKER – The Leader of the Greens has to stop interjecting, really and truly.
