[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_No Confidence in Bartlett Government_N McKim MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

BARTLETT IMPASSE ON RESOLVING CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE

No Confidence Motion After Premier Fails to Provide Answers or Apologise
for Misleading House

Nick McKim MP
Greens Leader

Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today expressed a lack of confidence in the
Bartlett Government on the floor of the House of Assembly due to the
Premier's failure to propose a resolution to the current crisis of
governance, and his refusal to admit to misleading the House of Assembly
yesterday. 

Greens Opposition Leader Nick McKim MP said that the Tasmanian community
has been rocked by revelations from the Director of Public Prosecutions,
and criticised Mr Bartlett for refusing to apologise for misleading the
House yesterday in relation to the contents of the DPP's advice.

"I made a positive and constructive suggestion today for Mr Bartlett, Mr
Hodgman and me to work together to try to resolve the crisis, but not
only could Mr Bartlett not bring himself to accept the suggestion, he
completely failed to offer any alternative way forward," Mr McKim said.

"Resolving this crisis will take a true leader, but Mr Bartlett failed a
big test today by failing to propose a way forward."

"In light of the Premier's lack of a plan, it would have been a
considerable step forward in restoring community confidence to see the
three leaders, as I suggested, developing in a consultative manner an
outline of what needs to occur in order to resolve this crisis in
confidence, and one of those steps may include holding an independent
Commission of Inquiry."

"The Greens did not move immediately a motion of no confidence in the
Premier today, instead we provided Mr Bartlett ample opportunity during
Question Time to convince us that he could restore confidence, and
address concerns of impacts upon administration of justice in Tasmania."

"Did the Premier make a Ministerial Statement outlining planned action
to address the 'significant constitutional problems' arising out of the
recent controversy? No, the Premier failed to do so."

"In the absence of his own plan of action, did the Premier accept the
Greens proposal that he consults with the Leaders of the two Opposition
Parties in order to develop a plan to resolve the crisis in confidence?
No, the Premier did not."

""Did the Premier apologise for misleading the House yesterday regarding
the fact that the DPP did provide further information regarding his
response on the appointment of Mr McCreadie as temporary Police
Commissioner and seek to correct the public record? No, the Premier
failed to do so."

"Instead the Premier continued to dodge questions, misrepresent people,
and offer nothing in the way of a plan forward, other than to wring his
hands."

 "Despite Mr Bartlett's attempts to say that there is no crisis now that
he no longer intends to pursue his plans to appoint Mr McCreadie
temporary Police Commissioner, the fact remains that as pointed out in
the Solicitor-General's letter of yesterday it is an extraordinary state
of affairs when the DPP does not trust any member of the Government, and
that is a large part of the crisis of confidence that has yet to be
addressed."

"Given the Premier's failure to detail how he intends to address this
extraordinary crisis in confidence that is largely of his own making,
and his failure to apologise for misleading the House yesterday despite
numerous opportunities to do so, the Greens had no choice to vote no
confidence in the Premier today," Mr McKim said. 

The Greens also tabled a motion outlining the terms of reference for a
Commission of Inquiry.





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