Media Release: Lack of Trust Makes Premier’s ‘Iron-clad Guarantee’ Worth Little

Lack of Trust Makes Premier’s ‘Iron-clad Guarantee’ Worth Little

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb labelled the Premier’s ‘iron-clad guarantee’ – that anyone that has done the wrong thing would be held accountable – as lacking credibility in the absence of public trust in his government.

“If the Premier thinks he can rest on his ‘decent man’ reputation to lend integrity to the hollow guarantee made today, he is sorely mistaken,” Ms Webb said.

 “The only action on this matter announced by the Premier is an internal review by Heads of Agency, which fails to provide either independence or transparency.”

“Relying on those within the government system which facilitated the protracted confusion around the apparently stymied Commission of Inquiry is insulting to the Tasmanian community.

“If the Premier is genuine, why would he not invest in an independent review process? What possible objection does he have to ensuring the highest level of transparency?

 “How can the Tasmanian people possibly accept that an internal government process to review this situation will be sufficient to restore public confidence and trust?

“The Premier trumpets independent reviews on other matters related to the Commission of Inquiry, what is his reason to refuse it when it comes to possible misconduct findings against public servants?” Ms Webb asked.

In a Talking Point piece in today’s Mercury newspaper, Professor David Adams clearly reiterated Ms Webb’s call for an independent, transparent examination to address issues surrounding the abandonment of potential findings of misconduct by the Commission of Inquiry.

As stated by Professor Adams, “… at no point, including in the Premier’s statement in the parliament on Wednesday, has there been an open and transparent process mooted by the government to lift the cloud, to demonstrate accountability, to clear the air.”