Tasmanian Premier Rockliff Responds to Questions Over Handling of Minister Ogilvie's Legal Fees and Misleading Parliament
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff provided written responses to crossbench questions about his handling of former minister Madeleine Ogilvie's $120,000 in public legal fees and her misleading of parliament. Rockliff confirmed his office was aware Ogilvie had initiated Supreme Court proceedings before she told parliament she had not, and that his office had input into her clarification statement. The Greens argue his answers reveal a cover-up and raise serious accountability concerns.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has responded to 20 questions from the Greens and three independent MPs regarding his knowledge of and handling of former minister Madeleine Ogilvie's legal fees matter. Ogilvie resigned from cabinet in May after using $120,000 in public funds for legal fees related to an undisclosed Supreme Court matter she had initiated, despite telling parliament in November that she had not been party to any such proceedings. Rockliff's response confirmed that his office was aware of the Supreme Court proceeding before Ogilvie's November statement, that his office had discussions about her clarification statement, and that his office provided input into her May 28 parliamentary statement. The Greens argue these revelations demonstrate that Rockliff's office orchestrated a cover-up of Ogilvie's misleading of parliament and then attempted to cover up that cover-up. Rockliff has apologized for not doing more to interrogate Ogilvie's clarification statement at the time, but the Greens remain skeptical that the full truth has been revealed.
What different sources said
- The MercuryCenter
‘Rockliff knew’: Letter exposes details in legal fees saga
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
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Greens say premier's answers about legal fees 'paint a far worse picture'
- Pulse TasmaniaCenter
Rockliff brushes off censure threat, accuses Labor and Greens of ‘toxic’ politics
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