Labor has lost confidence in the Speaker

Labor will move a No-Confidence Motion in the Speaker, Elise Archer, when Parliament resumes in March.

Opposition Leader Bryan Green said Labor had carefully considered the Speaker’s actions over recent months, particularly in refusing to allow questions relating to the Damien Mantach affair.

“When this matter first came to light we asked the Speaker to consider whether she had a conflict of interest given her husband was President of the Tasmanian Liberal Party when Mr Mantach was forced to repay $48,000 in party funds,” Mr Green said.

“The Speaker elected to remain in the chair and we respected that decision.

“However, the Speaker’s increasingly blatant actions in completely shutting down legitimate questions on the Damien Mantach affair are completely inappropriate and unacceptable.

“We no longer have confidence that the Speaker can act in an impartial manner.

“There are clear standing orders relating to conflict of interest.

“The Declaration of Principles says “every member is individually responsible for preventing potential and actual conflicts of interest”.

“There is precedent to support Labor’s right to ask questions on this matter.

“The most recent is in the Federal Parliament where the Liberals asked former Prime Minister Julia Gillard countless questions about the actions of Craig Thomson as a union official and her own role as a lawyer.

“Given the Premier was on the State Executive of the Liberal Party at the time of the Mantach affair, our questions went directly to an issue of public importance.

“Labor will not stand by and allow this matter to be swept under the carpet.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader