The referral of Jeremy Rockliff’s taxpayer-funded advertising spend to the Auditor-General on a National Day of Reflection has created a jarring intersection between state accountability and national grief.
On one hand, Madeleine Ogilvie’s assertion that today should be reserved for solemnity following the Bondi Beach tragedy carries significant moral weight. Framing Labor’s timing as a lapse in decorum, Ogilvie argues that the relentless machinery of partisan politics should fall silent in moments of collective mourning. There is a valid case to be made that the media and the political class alike could take a pause to honour the victims of such a profound tragedy.
Yet, the substance of the referral—stemming from a Tasmanian Times RTI discovery regarding the June 2025 election—presents a different kind of moral urgency.
The revelations that public funds were used for a “digital takeover” at a time when the government had lost the confidence of the Parliament suggest a breach of democratic integrity that does not simply pause for the calendar.
While some argue that the media should wait, our job as a watchdog for the public interest remains constant regardless of the political climate or national mood. No matter the politics of the day, the duty to report on the use of taxpayer money remains an essential service to the community; the machinery of government does not stand still, and neither can the oversight of it.
It is also important to clarify the distinction between today’s events and formal protocol.
While the Prime Minister has declared today a National Day of Reflection to mark one week since the attack, the official National Day of Mourning is not scheduled until the new year.
This distinction is vital; while the nation pauses to reflect, the responsibilities of leadership and the requirement for its oversight do not cease to function.
While the Liberal Government may lean on the “politics of grief” to shield Rockliff from immediate scrutiny, the cold reality of the Auditor-General’s investigation ensures this issue is far from settled. Balancing the need for national unity with the requirement for transparency is a delicate task, but the seriousness of the spending allegations means that the questions regarding the 2025 election spend will remain long after the flags return to the top of the mast.
Media release – Madeleine Ogilvie MHA, Minister for Community and Multicultural Affairs, 21 December 2025
A day to pause, reflect and mourn
Today is a day of National Mourning, not Labor’s political games.
It is time for solemn reflection and mourning as we grieve following the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
We all stand together in unity with our Jewish community.
The Opposition should know better than mounting political events on this day of all days.
Media release – Ella Haddad MHA, Shadow Attorney General, Shadow Minister for Justice and Integrity, 21 December 2025
Rockliff’s taxpayer-funded Liberal election spend referred to Auditor-General
Labor has referred Jeremy Rockliff’s taxpayer-funded Liberal election advertising spend to the Auditor-General for further investigation.
Right to Information documents revealed that the Rockliff Government continued to spend thousands of dollars of public money after the Premier had lost the confidence of the Parliament, and after he had requested an early election.
Given the seriousness of this deeply unethical behaviour, one might expect some contrition from a Premier who has been exposed for yet another integrity breach.
Not from Jeremy Rockliff.
Predictably, we saw his default response which is to pretend there’s nothing to see here and sweep it under the carpet.
Over recent weeks we’ve seen this play out with censured Minister Nick Duigan’s vindictive reneging of funding for North Launceston Football Club, and Jane Howlett’s blatant refusal to answer questions about TasRacing promoting Liberal election policy during the election campaign.
It was only when the threat of parliamentary consequences became apparent that censured Minister Nick Duigan finally tried to apologise for his actions.
While the Greens have rightly called out Jeremy Rockliff’s latest indiscretion, their criticism is hollow. They voted for Jeremy Rockliff to continue as Premier – despite being warned and fully aware of his terrible integrity record.
Tasmanians deserve better.
They should have a government that operates with integrity and honesty, but the Premier’s response is just more proof Jeremy Rockliff’s Liberals cannot be trusted.
While Jeremy Rockliff wishes it would, this issue won’t go away over Christmas. Labor will continue to hold the Premier and his untrustworthy Government accountable for their actions.
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