Tasmanian Premier Rockliff Responds to Questions Over Handling of Minister Ogilvie's Legal Fees and Misleading Parliament
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has confirmed his office played a role in managing former minister Madeleine Ogilvie's response to parliament over her undisclosed $120,000 taxpayer-funded legal fees, while denying personal knowledge of key details. Ogilvie resigned from cabinet last month after acknowledging she had answered questions about a Supreme Court matter she initiated 'poorly', following earlier statements to parliament that she was not party to any such proceedings. The Greens say Rockliff's written responses to their 20-question letter reveal a cover-up and raise serious questions about his fitness to govern, while the premier has accused Labor and the Greens of pursuing 'toxic' politics.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff responded to a joint letter from Greens and independent MPs demanding answers about his knowledge of former minister Madeleine Ogilvie's secret Supreme Court matter and the $120,000 in public funds used to cover her legal fees. His response confirmed he was aware Ogilvie was involved in a Supreme Court proceeding before she told parliament in November 2023 that she was not, and that his office had discussions with Ogilvie or her office about her subsequent clarification statement. However, Rockliff maintained he did not personally see the clarification statement before it was tabled and did not recall any discussion about whether Ogilvie had misled parliament until the Greens raised the issue in May 2024. He also admitted he had not sought or received formal legal advice before stonewalling dozens of questions at budget estimates hearings, which the Greens characterised as a purely political decision to avoid accountability. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the letter revealed the premier's office had played a 'central role' in covering up the misleading of parliament, and that Rockliff had then attempted to cover up that cover-up. Meanwhile, questions have broadened to include Racing Minister Jane Howlett, who faces scrutiny over approximately $300,000 in taxpayer-funded legal fees she has also declined to explain. Rockliff dismissed the prospect of a censure motion and accused Labor and the Greens of fostering a 'toxic' political culture focused on 'gotcha moments' rather than governance.
What's missing
The specific nature of Madeleine Ogilvie's Supreme Court matter remains undisclosed across all sources, making it difficult to assess the full significance of the legal fees or the appropriateness of public funding. The legal framework governing ministerial indemnity for legal costs in Tasmania — including what criteria must be met and who approves such payments — is not explained in any source, nor is it clear what process, if any, was followed before approving Ogilvie's or Howlett's fees.
How coverage differed
ABC Australia focused primarily on the substance of Rockliff's written responses and the Greens' detailed critique of his accountability failures, presenting the story as a developing scandal with specific factual revelations. Pulse Tasmania gave more weight to Rockliff's counter-narrative — his accusations of 'toxic' politics and his list of government achievements — framing the story more as a political clash than a straightforward accountability failure.
What different sources said
- The MercuryCenter
‘Rockliff knew’: Letter exposes details in legal fees saga
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Greens say premier's answers about legal fees 'paint a far worse picture'
- Pulse TasmaniaCenter
Premier Jeremy Rockliff apologises as he answers crossbench questions on Ogilvie legal fees
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