[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Bartlett Fails Leadership Test_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

BARTLETT FAILS LEADERSHIP TEST

As Kons Fails Morality Test

Nick McKim MP
Greens Opposition Leader

Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today said that Premier David Bartlett has failed
an important leadership test by refusing to require former Deputy
Premier Steve Kons to apologise for his unprecedented attack on former
Justice and Chair of the Resource Planning and Development Commission's
Pulp Mill Assessment Panel Christopher Wright.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP described Mr Kons' attack on Mr Wright as a
cowardly abuse of Parliamentary Privilege, and said that any strong
leader would require Mr Kons to issue an immediate public retraction and
apology.

"Mr Bartlett has only recently expressed distaste for "smear, innuendo
and false assertions", and now that a government member has indulged in
such unacceptable behaviour he should back up his rhetoric with action."

"Steve Kons clearly failed the morality test yesterday, just as Mr
Bartlett has failed the leadership test by refusing to reign in his out
of control backbencher."

"Mr Bartlett has today missed another chance to condemn the smear and
innuendo which have poisoned the political and public debate in Tasmania
under successive Labor governments." 

"Mr Kons' behaviour yesterday has sparked an outcry with members of the
public and political commentators calling for him to issue an apology to
Mr Wright, and it is clear that by turning a deaf ear to these calls the
Premier is reinforcing concerns that his government sanctions such
behaviour."




Any opinions expressed in this e-mail are those of the individual and not necessarily the Parliament of Tasmania. This e-mail and any files transmitted with it are confidential and solely for the use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient or person responsible for delivering to the intended recipient, be advised that you have received this e-mail in error and that any use is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, advise the sender immediately by using the reply facility in your e-mail software.


Warning: Computer viruses may be transmitted or downloaded onto any computer system via e-mail communication. It is the recipient's responsibility to take appropriate action to prevent computer viruses being transmitted In this way. Accordingly the Parliament of Tasmania disclaim all responsibility which arises directly or indirectly from such transmission of computer viruses.