Greens say other parties breaching parliamentary rules

The Tasmanian Greens have accused the major political parties of using taxpayer-funded staff and parliamentary resources inappropriately.

THE Liberal and Labor parties were breaching parliamentary rules by using taxpayer-funded staff and parliamentary resources for political campaigning, according to the Greens.

The party has complained about media releases issued by the parliamentary staff of both parties, which promoted their candidates for the upcoming Huon and Rosevears Legislative Council elections.

The Handbook for Elected Members given to MPs says it is inappropriate to use parliamentary resources for “political activity which encourages people to vote for or against a particular party”.

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor during question time in state parliament. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

The Greens have written to the Department of Premier and Cabinet, which administers the rules, but have not received a response, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor says.

“As members of parliament, our resources — including staff — are paid for by Tasmanians,” she said.

“On multiple occasions, (Labor leader) Rebecca White has allowed Labor candidates to effectively issue media releases via the parliamentary email system, with no elected MP quoted and with a Labor staffer as the media contact.

“In recognition of the fact these are publicly funded resources, electioneering or party business is not on, whether it’s footing the bill for party promotional material, or using the time of a highly paid staff member to promote political candidates. This is a blatant misuse of public money.”

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Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the Government had only ever issued media releases to provide the public with helpful information.

“Given the interest, and the fact that the election has been delayed, the Premier clearly highlighted the 1st of August was the new date,” he said.

“Any candidate information moving forward, of course, will be the responsibility of the political party.”

Ms White said Labor was trying to keep people up to date with a complex and changing situation.

“It’s not unprecedented for political parties to include references to candidates in the press releases that they issue,” she said.

“These are times when we are trying to update the community about what’s occurring with these elections, they’ve been disrupted because of coronavirus and I don’t think anything inappropriate has occurred here.”