Tasmania’s Labor Party is being denied access to COVID briefings amid transparency fears

Labor’s requests for COVID briefings are being knocked back amid growing concerns over the state government’s secrecy.

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TASMANIA’S opposition party is being denied access to COVID briefings amid concerns over the state government’s lack of transparency.

Franklin Labor MP Alison Standen said Labor had sought briefings from Public Health officials on four separate occasions, but those requests had been denied.

“It’s unfortunate that we’ve moved on from a time where there was a more co-operative type of government now to a situation where the government is denying access to briefings,” she said.

Ms Standen said the state government had a major problem with secrecy and transparency.

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Labor MP Alison Standen. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Clearly with three ministers in separate portfolios under attack for issues with abusers and paedophiles there are mounting calls from the community and from Tasmanian Labor to mount a Commission of Inquiry,” she said.

“What has this government got to hide?

“It’s important that for victims, for the broader community, that there is transparency over these institutions and that we restore safety and confidence.”

Clark Liberal MP Elise Archer said she was unable to say why Labor was being denied COVID briefings.

However, she said after all three parties came together during the pandemic, as time progressed “Labor decided that it was going to start criticising everything”.

Liberal MP Elise Archer. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“That included criticising significantly the advice that was coming from Public Health,” she said.

“These are independent, apolitical members of the public service who have provided incredible advice to the state to keep Tasmanians safe.

“I would encourage Labor to stop criticising and fully embrace the advice that we’re receiving from Public Health.”

She said the state government had done “a mountain of work” in responding to the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse.

“Many survivors feel very supported by our government,” she said.

“They have been believed, they’re telling their stories, they’re coming forward, they’re reporting historical cases of child sexual abuse, and they can report any current abuses as well.

“We’re not able to provide them with an apology and compensation, but indeed if investigations haven’t yet occurred, their cases being investigated and appropriately investigated.

“In the case of where there might still be alleged perpetrators currently employed, then they are being stood down whilst matters are being investigated.”

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