Rockliff must explain double standards

Premier Rockliff has now been hiding from the Tasmanian media for 20 days as the Liberals’ secret legal fee scandal continues to fester.

The Premier can’t hide any longer. He must explain the double standards he’s set for Minister Jane Howlett and Madeleine Ogilvie.

The Premier accepted Ms Ogilvie’s resignation on the basis she had legal obligations to the court and was therefore unable to answer questions.

Minister Howlett has racked up over $300,000 worth of secret legal fees paid for by Tasmanians but has refused to answer any questions about it.

By Premier Rockliff’s own logic, her position in Cabinet is untenable too.

Tasmanians are rightly angry they’ve been forced to pay for the Liberals’ secret legal fees scandal. The Premier’s half-baked attempt at an apology won’t make this issue go away. In fact, it has raised even more questions than answers.

He must explain why Madeleine Ogilvie was forced out, while Minister Howlett remains in Cabinet under his protection.