Media release – David O’Byrne, Independent for Franklin, 13 October 2024
Statement from David O’Byrne
When I decided earlier this year to run as an independent I made a commitment to the people of Franklin that I would not only represent them to the best of my ability, but that I would act and vote in parliament consistent with my values and that of our community.
Once elected, in the absence of any other person putting their hand up to be Premier, and out of respect to the Tasmanian people and the parliament they delivered I negotiated a supply and confidence agreement with the Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
The purpose of this agreement was to provide certainty for the state and afford the Premier a workable majority on the floor to allow the Government to function.
However this agreement came with significant qualifications and clearly set out how I would act in the event of gross incompetence or serious misbehaviour by the Premier or his Ministers, or reprehensible failures of policy and governance.
The people of Tasmania have quite rightly been outraged by the situation our state faces in relation to the TT Line and TasPorts fiasco.
This sorry episode will not only cost Tasmanians close to $100m directly, but will also cost our state’s economy in excess of half a billion dollars of economic activity.
These are significant failings that were entirely avoidable.
It is clear to me there is culpability across the leadership of both TT Line and TasPorts but also and ultimately for the key shareholder Minister, Michael Ferguson.
Mr Ferguson’s resignation from the Infrastructure portfolio was an opportunity to accept that his role in this sorry saga was just as lamentable as to that of the TT Line and TasPorts.
It has been clear to me though, since that day and with his response to recent evidence provided to the Public Accounts Committee that Mr Ferguson has demonstrated a breathtaking lack of contrition and has simply resorted to putting the blame on others.
I have read the evidence provided and statements made in the Parliament and on the public record and whilst I do not believe that Minister Ferguson has mislead Parliament, his lack of transparency, oversight and action over the last few years and his actions over the last few months amounts to a reprehensible failure of policy and governance.
To that end I have today informed the Premier I have lost confidence in Michael Ferguson continuing to be a member of his Cabinet.
I have also called on the Premier to act on the incompetence and intransigence of the TT Line and TasPorts, calling for the Chairs, Board to be removed from their positions immediately and senior management to be stood down with interim administrators appointed pending a review of governance and structure and be replaced with persons capable of delivering the infrastructure needs of Tasmania.
Further to this, I am seeking an immediate review of the legislation that governs state owned companies and government business enterprises with a view to create sweeping reforms of those institutions to ensure they are compelled to act and make decisions in the best interests of Tasmania, and Tasmanians – not just their own sand pit.
I am steadfast in the desire to uphold the commitments I made to the people of Franklin and Tasmania, ensuring that the Parliament and the State Government are guided by good policy and the overarching objective of improving the quality of life for all Tasmanians, and my announcement today is entirely consistent with those undertakings.
Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader, 13 October 2024
Independent Comprehensive Review of GBEs Needed
Tasmania’s Government Business Enterprises are supposed to work in the best interests of all Tasmanians. The Greens agree a review of the structure, governance, functioning and purpose of GBEs and State-owned companies (SOCs) is long overdue. However, this needs to be through a comprehensive independent review process.
The last review of corporate governance of GBEs and SOCs was 16 years ago. We have recently seen the dysfunction at TT-Line and TasPorts, and their broken relationship with each other and government that is costing Tasmanians dearly.
We also know other GBEs, such as Forestry Tasmania and TasRacing, are secretive, loss-making and provide no public benefit. Hydro Tasmania and TasNetworks also need far greater financial transparency and accountability over their investment decisions worth billions of dollars.
It is essential our GBEs and State-owned companies are working efficiently, collaboratively and effectively in the interests of the Tasmanian community. Tasmanians should be able to trust the management and oversight protocols that govern these services delivered by GBEs.
We can’t remove the Westminster system that holds the minister ultimately responsible for any failures in their portfolios.
The Greens’ call on the government to instigate an independent review of the purpose, structure, governance, functioning, accountability and transparency of Tasmania’s GBEs and SOCs.
