Coroner & Legal
Bryan: I take full responsibility. I have counselled him, says Lara. Split not to blame: Bryan
Drink driving charge
Deputy Premier Bryan Green said today he regretted and took full responsibility for exceeding the legal limit at a Random Breath Test in Hobart last night.
“Last night, I attended an official seafood industry function in Hobart, where I consumed a couple of glasses of wine over the course of the evening,” he said.
“Obviously, it was not my intention to drive while over the legal limit, and I was shocked and embarrassed to discover that I was, in fact, over the legal limit.
“This is the first drink driving offence I have recorded in well over 30 years of driving,
“However, there is no excuse, and I accept full responsibility.
“I deeply regret what has happened, and apologise to the Tasmanian community,
“I have also apologised to the Premier, and intend to apologise to the Parliament upon its resumption next week.
“This should serve as a lesson to everyone that you should not drive after drinking,” Mr Green said.
Disappointment over driving offence
The Premier, Lara Giddings, said she was extremely disappointed that the Deputy Premier, Bryan Green, had exceeded the legal limit at a Random Breath Test in Hobart last night.
“Bryan’s actions were irresponsible, but he has taken full responsibility for his actions, and apologised to the community and to me personally,” Ms Giddings said.
“This is a warning to everyone in the community that nobody is above the law, and if you drink and drive, you will be caught.
“It is particularly a warning to Members of Parliament, and to Ministers, that we as leaders have a higher expectation upon us to behave appropriately at all times.
“I have examined this issue against the existing Ministerial Code of Conduct, and the proposed Integrity Commission Code of Conduct for Ministers, and this incident is a clear breach of the two principles of Ministers being expected to maintain the highest standards of personal conduct and not to break the law.
“The Integrity Commission’s proposed Code of Conduct states that, where a breach has occurred, the Premier shall decide upon an appropriate course of action.
“This may include a Minister being asked to apologise, required to take remedial action, counselled, reprimanded or asked to resign or stand aside.
“I accept that Bryan did not intend to break the law, and is embarrassed by his actions.
“I understand also that this is his first drink driving offence in more than 30 years of driving.
“In the circumstances, I believe to ask for his resignation would be a disproportionate sanction for his offence.
“I have counselled him and he has apologised to me, and the community, for his actions and will apologise to Parliament when it resumes next week.”
Ms Giddings said this incident should serve as a warning to all motorists to act responsibly, and not to drink and drive.
“I accept that Bryan believed that he was under the legal limit, however I will be cautioning all my Ministers that, whenever they are attending official functions where alcohol is to be served, that they do not drive themselves,” she said.
• Advocate: Split with wife not to blame: Green
28 Jun, 2011 12:00 AM
DEPUTY Premier Bryan Green has refused to blame personal difficulties for a drink-driving charge against him.
Mr Green yesterday said he and wife Mary had separated “at the moment” and described it as a “very sad time”.
But the long-serving Braddon MHA maintained blowing 0.068 at a random breath test in Hobart on Saturday night was the result of error and denied talk he was now living in Hobart full-time,
“Nothing has changed with respect to the work and the way I operate.”
He said he was spending as much time on the Coast as he was before the split.
“I recognise how important it is to stay in touch with my constituency.”
He said he was working through difficult personal circumstances.
“It’s not just about me, it’s about my wife and family as well.
“It’s an area I hope would not be part of the public arena.
“It’s a very sad time.”
Mr Green “outed” himself over the drink-driving charge on Sunday.
He will face court on November 25.