Estimates Hearings will test Hodgman Government’s openness

 Labor will grill Ministers in each portfolio area
 Too many questions remain unanswered
 Tasmanians want honesty on health, education
A week of Budget Estimates Hearings will be a huge test for the Hodgman Government’s honesty and openness.
Deputy Labor Leader Michelle O’Byrne said Ministers have a long list of questions to answer after a turbulent year for the Government.
“In almost every portfolio area there are big questions left unanswered,” Ms O’Byrne said.
“The Government knows it will have to answer questions on everything from the Treasurer’s hostile takeover of TasWater to the role Ministerial offices play in the Right To Information process.
“The Health Minister will have a chance to finally be upfront about the crisis in our hospitals, including the controversial escalation policy he’s been accused of controlling.
“The Education Minister will have to explain the disconnect between him and his department, after he claimed he was unaware of parents being sent to debt collection agencies for overdue school fees.
“The hallmark of the Hodgman Government has been secrecy but as we saw last year with former Minister Brooks, the truth can come out during Estimates.
“The big question is, have the Liberals learnt their lesson or will they continue to be tricky and evasive when asked simple questions?
“This week is a big test for the Premier’s leadership and the culture of his government.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP Shadow Education Minister