Premier’s appalling vanishing act on Hidding scandal
Hodgman’s pathetic lack of action highlights weak leadership
Rogue Minister out of control threatening legal action
Premier Will Hodgman has pulled a vanishing act in the midst of the Rene Hidding bullying scandal in yet another show of his weak leadership when the untenable situation demands his action.
Labor Leader Bryan Green today called on Mr Hodgman to come out of hiding and launch an immediate formal investigation after Upper House MLC Ruth Forrest made an official complaint against Mr Hidding for his intimidating and coercive behaviour more than two weeks ago.
“Let’s be clear – Mr Hidding acted appallingly toward a female colleague in a public forum and he has admitted himself that his behaviour was unacceptable,” Mr Green said.
“Now we have the extraordinary and shameful situation where Mr Hidding is playing the victim and seeking to take legal action.
“Where is the Premier in all of this and why is he allowing his Minister to run rogue?
“Will Hodgman has no choice but to do what he should have done two weeks ago – stand the Minister down and conduct a proper, independent investigation.
“The Ministerial Code of Conduct could not be clearer around what is rightly expected of a Minister of the Crown in terms of bullying and harassment, victimisation and discrimination.
“But, true to form, when the going gets tough and hard decisions need to be made the Premier vanishes.
“Mr Hodgman has lost control of his Government and that could not be clearer in the fact that he has allowed Mr Hidding to threaten legal action over this scandal in a shameful effort to save his political skin.
“The Premier needs to come out of hiding today and act.
“Mr Hidding’s position is untenable. The Premier knows that.
“Today he has no option but to launch a Code of Conduct investigation at the same time he either sacks his Police Minister or demands his resignation.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
