Will Hodgman, Premier
I can confirm that consistent with advice provided by the Solicitor-General, the Government agreed to indemnify Mr Brooks for reasonable costs incurred as a result of carrying out his duties as a Minister of the Crown.
By convention, a Minister is entitled to be indemnified for his or her legal costs in matters that arise in the discharge of his or her office.
Mr Brooks has been reimbursed a total of $57,888 in legal fees.
I am advised there are further costs outstanding.
However, now that the Integrity Commission matter has concluded and the final report tabled in the House, I have asked the Solicitor-General to review the original payment and further invoices to determine whether the indemnity should be provided.
Upon the receipt of the advice, the Government will disclose all costs in due course.
Ted Mead
November 28, 2018 at 21:20
Take a look at the ABC photo of Brooks and Hodgman. This pathetic duo look like death warmed up.
If they aren’t physically morbid then they certainly appear spiritually bereft.
What a disturbing image they project!
.
Kate
November 29, 2018 at 04:30
How on earth do you spend $57,888 on legal heads trying to block an investigation into emails?
Peter Black
November 29, 2018 at 09:11
Ah, it’s good Kate, that we, the people of Tasmania, have Sue Hickey to question this issue on our behalf.
Kate
November 29, 2018 at 11:54
I concede your point in the micro Peter, but due to the instability that Sue Hickey causes I doubt that this Liberal government will be able to go full term.
Peter Black
November 29, 2018 at 13:07
Whilst some are of the view you put, I tend to disagree, Kate.
My thoughts are THAT the present Liberal Government will run its full term, with Hickey’s support. Hickey may split from the Liberals, should relations between them break down, thereby becoming a Liberal Independent, guaranteeing supply and refraining from causing instability, as to do otherwise would damage her credibility, which would end her political career.
One would imagine that if Hickey played her cards right for we, the people, she would be re-elected as an Independent in her Electorate quite easily.
John Hawkins
November 29, 2018 at 08:39
Telling lies publicly in answer to direct questions, and made presumably under oath to a parliamentary committee, is a definite NO! NO!
To spend $60,000 of our money in defence of such deceit is a definite NO! NO!
For the tailor-made never find any wrongdoing however horrendous so-called Integrity Committee, even this is a No! No!
Problem: To sack Brooks could bring down the government.
To condone the lies, the toothless and useless Integrity Committee would be brought down.
All these people are useless, gutless and incompetent!
Ian Rist
November 29, 2018 at 10:07
The Tasmanian Integrity Commission is a joke, a very sick joke, one specifically designed to get answers that suit the Government of the day.
Let us look at one I was involved in and personally took exception to … the twisted, distorted and untruthful fox report outcome. It was full of deception .. and I was actually asked to participate in this deceitful report.
I gave Tasmania Police a signed witness statement in 2003, co-signed by Tasmania Police Sgt Mikulski and NPWS Ranger Glen Atkinson. During the course of the Fox Integrity Commission I was informed “your original Police Statement has been lost”, “however we have reconstructed the statement and are asking you to resign”.
Now if that isn’t deceit I don’t know what is!
If I had have signed it would have exonerated ‘the Symmons Plains fox shooter’ from any wrong doing. The ‘SYMMONS PLAINS FOX SHOOTING’ WAS THE KEY EVENT THAT LAUNCHED THE 50 MILLION DOLLAR TAXPAYER FUNDED FOX FIASCO.
That is an event in September 2001 only weeks after the completely unfounded, baseless and no-evidence claim of three young Tasmanian’s allegedly importing 19 fox cubs into Tasmania, rearing them and then releasing the cubs.
My fellow taxpayers and friends … you were conned, big time!