Lin Thorp: What Labor said. What Lara says. What Cassy doesn’t say.

Dear Members,

Members may have noticed media reports today (Friday, Mar 25) regarding Labor Member for Rumney Lin Thorp and opposing Rumney candidate Paul Mason. The media reports continue to perpetuate a belief by Mr Mason that he was removed as Children’s Commissioner because he submitted a critical report against the Government.

The facts surrounding the issue are;

• There was an independent selection panel included current Police Commissioner Darren Hine and former NSW Children’s Commissioner Gillian Calvert.
• It was a completely independent process and Mr Mason’s assertions are an attack on the integrity of the panel including Mr Hine
• The State Government has an obligation to ensure the best person for the job is appointed to this independent position, and the selection panel’s unanimous recommendation was to appoint Aileen Ashford.

Unfortunately The Mercury website has been bombarded by ill informed people who support Mr Mason’s conspiracy theory. Members are encouraged to visit the site and offer a comment to correct the record http://www.themercury.com.au/article/2011/03/25/217121_tasmania-news.html

Members may also wish to point out Lin Thorp has been a strong and effective local member for Rumney for many years. She is the only local candidate standing against a bunch of opportunistic outsiders. No other candidate apart from Lin Thorp lives in the electorate. Paul Mason would have no knowledge of any of the communities or issues in Rumney that he now seeks to represent. A person should not be seeking a seat in parliament out of revenge or the fact they have a chip on their shoulder.

First published on TT: 2011-03-27 03:17 AM

Mercury, Saturday:
Thorp won’t say sorry

Mercury, Monday:
Thorp fan club sought

ABC, Monday:
ALP rallies around Thorp

• ABC, Tuesday:
Voters will judge Thorp: Premier. Solicitor General says Lin Thorp did not breach the MP code of conduct

Peter: Here’s a transcript of ABC radio’s lead story at 10am today. It is very interesting…

ABC Online
Wed 30 Mar 2011

The Premier Lara Giddings has refused to explain why the Minister for Children Lyn Thorp has not breached the code of conduct for MPs.

Last week Ms Thorp told ABC Radio the former Children’s Commissioner, Paul Mason, had finished fourth out of five candidates when he applied for the job.

Lara Giddings says Ms Thorp has not breached the code of conduct, which says MPs should not use confidential information for personal advantage.

The Premier won’t release her advice, indicating to journalists “she hasn’t seen it”.

“I sought advice as to whether there had been a breach of the code of conduct, and the advice I received back was no, that there hadn’t been.”

When a journalist asked her who had given her that advice, Ms Giddings replied:

“I understand that the Department of Premier and Cabinet actually sought the advice of the Solicitor-General before providing me with that advice.”

The Premier has not been able to explain why Ms Thorp did not breach the code and has indicated she has not read the advice.

What Cassy doesn’t say, ABC Online:

Thorp escapes Greens scrutiny

Greens MP Cassy O’Connor says she does not know if her cabinet colleague Lin Thorp has breached the MPs’ code of conduct.

The Premier says the solicitor general advised her department that Ms Thorp did not breach the code when she revealed confidential details about a political rival.

Last week, Ms Thorp told ABC Radio that the former Children’s Commissioner Paul Mason finished fourth out of five candidates when he re-applied for the job.

Mr Mason is standing against Ms Thorp in next month’s Upper House election.

The Minister for Human Services and Greens MP Cassy O’Connor says she has not been paying attention to the issue.

She would not be drawn when questioned at a press conference this morning.

“Well I’m not going to comment on that at this point,” she said.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate and I haven’t paid too much attention to it.”

When asked if she thought Ms Thorp had breached the code she replied: I’m not sure, I’m not sure that she has.”

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/03/30/3177716.htm