Loughnane’s departure allows for Mantach truth to come out

The departure of Liberal Federal Director Brian Loughnane presents the party with an opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation into the Damien Mantach affair.

Senior Liberals themselves are calling for transparency in the wake of Mr Loughnane’s departure.

Former honorary Liberal Party treasurer, Phillip Higginson referenced Mr Mantach when asked about Mr Loughnane’s resignation on ABC radio this morning:

“It was a prophecy that has come true, and that of course is vindicated too by the $1.5 million so alleged to have been embezzled by the Victorian state director.

“There needs to be better financial governance, there needs to be better organisational governance so that we can look our donors in the face, our voters in the face, the members of our party in the face.” (Phillip Higginson, ABC Radio 8/10/2015)

Labor Leader Bryan Green said the next Federal Director should take on Mr Higginson’s advice and conduct a proper inquiry into Mr Mantach’s behaviour in Tasmania and the subsequent apparent cover-up.
“There is still an almighty stench around the Mantach affair in Tasmania,” Mr Green said.

“We know former Tasmanian Liberal Party President Dale Archer claims he warned Brian Loughnane of the true reasons Mr Mantach left Tasmania.

“Perhaps now Mr Loughnane has moved on, the truth will finally come out.

“Why was Mr Mantach’s credit card misappropriation covered up and who was complicit in the cover-up?

“Why were senior Liberal Party people, including Premier Will Hodgman, so determined to keep the real reasons for Mr Mantach’s departure from rank and file members?”

EARLIER on Tasmanian Times …

• NATION, STATE: Mantach … Who is the Power behind the Throne?

• Mantach questions swirl around Premier and Senator Eric Abetz. Police called in …

• Victorian Liberals made no checks on alleged embezzler. Nothing to see here, say Page and Archer …

• Victorian Liberal Party probes missing $million-plus. Tassie Libs in damage control …