Premier has to act on Hidding’s breach of Code of Conduct

 Unacceptable behaviour must be addressed

 Weak Premier needs to show leadership and launch investigation

 Ministerial code clear on respect, courtesy, harassment and discrimination

Police and Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding’s appalling bullying of a respected Upper House MP must become the subject of an immediate investigation centred on his clear breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

Shadow Attorney-General Lara Giddings said serious questions raised by Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest about whether Mr Hidding had breached the Code remained unanswered while Premier Will Hodgman continued to play down the shocking incident at a function at Parliament House on Tuesday night.

“The Premier’s deafening silence around Mr Hidding and his behaviour clearly shows he is hoping this will go away,” Ms Giddings said.

“But this type of behaviour by a Minister of the Crown cannot go uninvestigated, it cannot be ignored and it cannot be swept under the carpet by the Premier.

“Even Mr Hidding himself has admitted his appalling behaviour was unacceptable and that should be grounds enough for the Premier to act.

“Last night Ms Forrest quoted Australian of the Year David Morrison: “The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”

“If the Premier does nothing, he is sending a strong message that verbal abuse and intimidation is acceptable.

“If the Premier is to remain true to his values he should be investigating a breach of the Code.

“If his leadership was not so weak he would have already asked Mr Hidding to resign.”

The Tasmanian Code of Conduct for Ministers, released by Mr Hodgman in April 2014, is clear in its section titled Respect for Persons:

“Ministers are to treat everyone with respect, courtesy and in a fair and equitable manner without harassment, victimisation or discrimination.”

“The allegations raised by Ms Forrest could not be clearer – she was treated in the most inexcusable fashion by this Minister who clearly set out to bully and intimidate her,” Ms Giddings said.

“Mr Hodgman himself signed off on the Code of Conduct which could not be clearer – Ministers are to treat all Tasmanians fairly and equitably, they are to undertake their duties with respect and courtesy and they are not to victimise people.

“Mr Hidding’s behaviour in this atrocious incident was the polar opposite of that.”
Lara Giddings Shadow Attorney-General