FOUR days after Tasmanian Times broke the story, Premier Paul Lennon has finally admitted a Gunns Ltd company did work renovating his Brighton mansion.
At yesterday’s ALP campaign slogan launch in Launceston, from a question by an ABC journalist, Premier Lennon said: “I have had some renovations done at my house and some commercial work done and some of the work has been done by Hinmans, yes,” he said.
Incredibly, the story has almost vanished in Monday’s reporting of the Tasmanian election (The Premier’s house (2)).
Why?
Because his answer only raises more disturbing questions which must be answered of Premier Lennon is to be perceived as a credible leader.
Why take four days to answer the question we first put to him last Wednesday? (The Premier’s house) Why the silence?
It is normal practice when undertaking substantial renovations to get a number of quotes. What other builders quoted for the job of renovating the premier’s mansion?
What was the Hinman quote on the job and what was paid?
Why did the Premier, who has publicly attacked John Howard’s IR reforms and who claims to be the workers’ mate, privately employ a company known for its anti-union stance and embrace of the new IR reforms?
If, as he is now belatedly arguing, creating jobs demands close relationships with big business, why did Premier Lennon appear in his media interviews on Sunday to be fearful, tentative and confused when asked about his house renovations?
And now the Greens have upped the ante, with Greens leader Peg Putt asking: Was the work for the Premier done at mates’ rates?
The Premier is of course under no obligation to answer any of these questions. But his evasion of them will only deepen many Tasmanians’ concern with his judgment, and his closeness to big business. It will only play into the hands of the Liberals’ high rotation negative advertsing focusing on Premier Lennon’s shortcomings. And as we said last Thursday, it may deliver political oblivion to the ALP.
POSTSCRIPT:
For the record, when Tasmanian Times first put the question to the Premier’s Office last Wednesday. We spoke with the Premier’s Press Secretary Matthew Rogers, described on Crikey (who did run our question on Friday) as Chief Lennon Attack Dog.
After dismissing the story as a Green beat up with nothing in it but failing to answering either yes or no, we asked the simple question once more, to which Mr Rogers replied, “Who did your house?”
Though I am neither a public figure nor paid by taxpayers, I was happy to divulge to the Premier’s Office and now to Tasmanian Times readers the following information: the house in which I dwell in Howrah Flats is a little weatherboard built by Jennings about 50 years ago; apparently with green timber because it shrinks in winter and expands in summer. (A list of the two small local Tasmanian builders, both called Michael, who have done minor renovations can be provided).
To which Rogers replied, ” I’ll get back to you.”
Which neither he nor Gunns yet have, though I have no doubt our questions above will be exercising their minds over the next few weeks. It’s a big story and it’s going to get a lot bigger yet.
Lindsay Tuffin
Hagnote on smear and innuendo: This is a Premier who is a master of the art. This is the same man crying foul who for years has vilified anyone opposed to his policy on forests as “just a bunch of greenies.”
Who slandered conservationists with accusations that they were reponsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage to forestry machinery when there was not one shred of evidence they were responsible.
Who attacked forestry whistleblower Bill Manning when he gave evidence of the corruption of forestry management.
Who publicly declared that celebrated author Richard Flanagan “was not welcome in the new Tasmania” because he dared question the selling out of Tasmanian interests to the top end of town by former Premier Jim Bacon.
Who gleefully accused former Liberal Party leader Bob Cheek of conflicts of interest in relation to a fitness gym.
You reap what you sow.
