Pressure for Premier not to pay Parkinson court costs

The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Premier to rule out any public monies being provided to pay costs awarded against Doug Parkinson MLC, who has failed in his attempt to sue the Crown in the Supreme Court in an attempt to force the Crown to join him in his defence of a defamation case brought against him by Nigel Burch.

Greens Attorney-General and Justice spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that any taxpayer money paying for Mr Parkinson’s legal costs in a case of defamation against Mr Burch is grossly inappropriate.

“The Premier needs to hold firm that no taxpayer money will go to pay costs awarded against Mr Parkinson in his failed case against the Crown and I’m surprised that Ms Giddings could not rule it out immediately,” Mr Booth said.

“The Premier could only confirm that Mr Parkinson has sued the Crown but would not comment at this stage on any other information.”

“The public is already paying for Labor’s mistakes, but to attempt to use the public purse to defend a defamation action defies belief.”

“This is a great example to all elected Members that we are not impervious to the law, and even more so should conduct ourselves to the highest degree as appropriate role models for the community.”

“Mr Parkinson should address the fullness of his actions, and accept responsibility of the consequences those actions have resulted in, rather than reflexively assuming that the lone suffering public will pay” Mr Booth said.