Sarah Lovell MLC, Labor Member for Rumney, 12 April 2021
Why is Adam Brooks still on Peter Gutwein’s ticket for Braddon in the state election?
Three days after it was revealed Adam Brooks is facing criminal charges – and more than a week after Peter Gutwein learned of police investigations around his Braddon candidate – the Liberals have failed to address the seriousness of the matter and take action to distance themselves from their tainted candidate.
Labor campaign spokesperson Sarah Lovell said Mr Gutwein had once again shown comprehensive weakness and a dedication to his trademark secrecy at all costs in his failure to address the extremely concerning Brooks issue and remove the former disgraced Minister from his Braddon ticket.
Ms Lovell said both the Premier and his Police Minister Mark Shelton had also failed to answer important questions about when they first learned of the police action against Mr Brooks and what action they took – or failed to take – in relation to what inside information they had received.
“About a week ago I was made aware that Mr Brooks had a conversation with police, but at that stage, the matter of whether or not he would be summonsed wasn’t clear.’’ Peter Gutwein, media conference, Hobart, April 9.
“The fact that he was aware of a police investigation should have rang alarm bells and Mr Gutwein could have sacked Mr Brooks before nominations closed last week,” Ms Lovell said.
“Why is Mr Gutwein dodging serious questions and refusing to explain his lack of action?
“Why didn’t he act immediately once he knew of police involvement? Why didn’t Mark Shelton act?
“What did Mr Brooks tell Mr Gutwein about this matter and, given his form for lying to the Parliament and to Tasmanians, did he give an honest account of the alleged firearms matter?
“Is it a fact that Mr Gutwein continued to support Mr Brooks’ endorsement as an election candidate because he is a significant donor to the Liberal Party?
“It’s not good enough that Mr Gutwein is refusing to move against a candidate who is clearly not fit to run for Parliament.
“He must sack him today and if he will not, Mr Gutwein needs to explain to Tasmanians why is too weak to take a stand.”
Media release – Mark Shelton Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management, Minister for Local Government, 10 April 2021
Labor’s Jen Butler Must Apologise Immediately
I reject absolutely all the allegations made by Ms Butler this morning.
The first I knew about the matters she raises was when they were aired in the media.
I have not spoken to Adam Brooks about this matter at all.
Nor have I spoken to the Police about it.
To suggest otherwise is just grubby politics.
I seek an immediate and unreserved apology from Ms Butler.
Jen Butler MP, Shadow Police Minister, 10 April 2021
What did Police Minister Shelton know about serious Adam Brooks allegations?
The Police Minister along with the Premier still have serious questions to answer about Adam Brooks remaining as a candidate for Braddon despite facing serious criminal charges.
Shadow Police Minister Jen Butler said Mark Shelton needed to be upfront with Tasmanians about whether he received information about an alleged firearms incident involving Mr Brooks and – critically – whether he tried to meddle with an investigation.
“What information did Mark Shelton have about the Brooks firearms allegation before he was endorsed as a Liberal Party candidate?” Ms Butler said.
“When and how did he learn about this alleged incident?
“What did he do with that information?
“Did he meddle in this information and did he pass it to Peter Gutwein?
“Mr Gutwein has already admitted that he knew for a week before the close of nominations that Mr Brooks – as he said yesterday – had ‘a conversation’ with police.
“Did Peter Gutwein meddle with this information?
“The response by the Liberals to these very serious revelations around Mr Brooks has been typically weak but these important questions need to be addressed and answered today.”
