Hodgman Avoids Assembly Estimates Scrutiny

Premier Will Hodgman will soon become the first Tasmanian Premier for at least 18 years to fail to front the House of Assembly Budget Estimates Committee on the first day of Budget estimates.

“Despite long Parliamentary precedent stretching back to Tony Rundle, Mr Hodgman seems determined to have a practice run in the Upper House,” said Greens Member for Franklin Nick McKim MP.

“Surely nearly six months as Premier is long enough for Mr Hodgman to take his training wheels off.”

“Even the last Liberal Premier Tony Rundle fronted up to the first day of the House of Assembly Committees during his term of government.”

“The House of Assembly is the House of government, and the people’s House, and that is why there is a long-held parliamentary precedent of the Premier of the day fronting the first day of Budget Estimates in the Assembly, so his government’s agenda can be scrutinised,” Mr McKim said.

Recent Precedents of the Premier appearing before the first day of House of Assembly Budget Estimate Committees:

Premier Lara Giddings (ALP)
Monday 3 June 2013 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 28 May 2012 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 27 June 2011 – HoA Estimates Committee A

Premier David Bartlett (ALP)
Monday 28 June 2010 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 22 June 2009 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 23 June 2008 – HoA Estimates Committee A

Premier Paul Lennon (ALP)
Monday 18 June 2007 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 26 June 2006 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 30 May 2005 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 31 May 2004 – HoA Estimates Committee A

Premier Jim Bacon (ALP)
Monday 2 June 2003 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 3 June 2002 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 4 June 2001 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 5 June 2000 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 7 June 1999 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 16 November 1998 – HoA Estimates Committee A

Premier Tony Rundle (Libs)
Monday 1 September 1997 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Monday 2 September 1996 – HoA Estimates Committee A
Nick McKim MP | Leader for Greens Business in the House