Ministerial changes

I am releasing the findings of two independent reviews relating to Sarah Courtney, and announcing changes to Ministerial responsibilities which follow on from Ms Courtney’s disclosure of a personal relationship with Dr John Whittington.

The reviews conducted by DPAC Secretary, Ms Jenny Gale, and respected former public servant Mr Damian Bugg QC have found that there was no inappropriate decision making by Ms Courtney and that all official duties, decisions and actions of the Minister followed appropriate protocols and procedures. The findings of both reviews are available here http://bit.ly/AdviceReSarahCourtney

Mr Bugg found that while Ms Courtney did disclose her relationship to me, as Premier, as soon as she recognised there was an actual conflict, due to potential for a perceived conflict, she should have disclosed the relationship on September 13 or soon after.

However, Mr Bugg concludes that this constitutes only a minor breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

Under the Ministerial Code of Conduct, there are a range of possible sanctions depending on the nature and seriousness of the breach. Given Mr Bugg’s advice that Ms Courtney’s breach was a minor one, I have counselled Ms Courtney about the need for Ministers to apply strict personal responsibility in regards to complying with the Code.

Following the completion of these independent reviews and Ms Courtney’s disclosure of a personal relationship with Dr Whittington, I am announcing the following changes to Ministerial responsibilities:

• Minister Barnett is now the Minister for Primary Industries, Minister for Energy and Minister for Veterans Affairs
• Minister Archer is now the Attorney-General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Corrections, Minister for the Environment, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Racing
• Minister Courtney is now the Minister for Resources and Minister for Building and Construction

It is important for Tasmanians to have confidence in decisions made by Ministers and these changes remove any perception of a conflict of interest as a result of Ms Courtney and Dr Whittington’s relationship.

I am also advised by Ms Gale that an independent investigation has determined that there is no evidence Dr Whittington has breached the Code of Conduct under the State Service Act, and as a result I’ve determined he will resume his duties as Secretary of DPIPWE. A copy of the advice received in relation to Dr Whittington is available here http://bit.ly/AdviceReDrWhittington

This situation, involving personal relationships, has been a difficult one for all involved. Now that the finding of the independent reviews have been released, and action taken to remove the potential for conflict of interest, I hope that the privacy of those involved in what is a personal and private situation is also respected.