Premier’s only action on Police Minister is to take no action
Strong reaction from Premier would have prevented fallout from incident
Premier should have stood Minister down and launched independent investigation
Three weeks to the day after the appalling incident which has engulfed the Hodgman Liberal Government in a bullying scandal, the Premier has still failed to take any action to resolve the issue.
Labor Leader Bryan Green said Premier Will Hodgman had still not spoken to Upper House MLC Ruth Forrest over a very serious bullying allegation against his Police Minister Rene Hidding and had importantly failed to launch an independent investigation into the matter.
“When news of this scandal broke three weeks ago, a Premier with any hint of leadership would have sat down with Ms Forrest and at least attempted to get her side of the story,” Mr Green said.
“Three weeks ago, a Premier with any concept of leadership would have at the very least stood Mr Hidding aside while an appropriate investigation into a breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct was held.
“A strong reaction from the Premier three weeks ago might have helped resolve this issue.
“But instead we have seen Will Hodgman make a captain’s call that his Minister has no case to answer, we have seen a Premier who today told the Parliament that, effectively, his strongest reaction is to take no action and agree with his Minister that anyone who discusses it potentially faces legal action.
“Today we have seen a Premier who is now suggesting his Minister and Ms Forrest sit down together and discuss the matter – something a true leader would have done himself three weeks ago.
“Mr Hodgman’s pathetic response to this very, very concerning issue has been to take his hands off and hope it will go away.
“But by doing nothing, he has ensured that the scandal engulfing his government will not go away.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
