Rene Hidding to take legal action against MLC Ruth Forrest over bullying claims

POLICE Minister Rene Hidding says Independent MLC Ruth Forrest’s link between her bullying allegation against him and violence against women have left him deeply “hurt and deeply affronted”.

Police Minister Rene Hidding has indicated he will pursue legal action over MLC Ruth Forrest’s allegations. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

POLICE Minister Rene Hidding says Independent MLC Ruth Forrest’s link between her bullying allegation against him and violence against women have left him “deeply hurt”.

The Liberals’ longest-serving current MP says he will take legal action against Ms Forrest, saying she defamed him in her press release issued on Thursday.

His comments have set in motion an unprecedented potential legal battle between two sitting Tasmanian MPs.

In her statement on Thursday Ms Forrest said she would pursue a Code of Conduct complaint against Mr Hidding after she says he bullied her at a parliamentary dinner.

She is also considering reporting the matter to police, and has written to White Ribbon, the national body that seeks to address violence against women.

MORE: FORREST TO PURSUE BULLYING COMPLAINT

Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest outside State Parliament in Hobart. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Ms Forrest has been taking legal advice over the past fortnight after telling State Parliament last month Mr Hidding “threatened, intimidated and bullied” her over a piece of legislation.

Mr Hidding, who has remained silent on the matter since the last session of parliament, has now spoken out against Ms Forrest over what he has described as an “outrageous and defamatory” statement.

“As a husband, father and grandfather, I am hurt and deeply affronted by these false claims,” Mr Hidding said.

“I’m not going to sit by silently and have my good name smeared any longer.

“Ms Forrest, who I note is up for election in six months, is playing cheap politics with this issue, and I won’t stand for it anymore.

“I’m no longer going to sit silently by and allow this incident — an argument between two politicians — to be conflated into an incidence of family violence.”

Mr Hidding said Ms Forrest’s comments were affront to victims of actual family violence.

“The allegations made by Ms Forrest are outrageous, they are defamatory, and I will be considering all legal options against Ms Forrest and any other person or organisation who repeats these unsubstantiated claims,” he said.

Mr Hidding will also write to the Premier and ask that his conduct be referred to Parliament’s Privileges Committee, arguing the process will help clear his name.

Three of the committee’s five members are Liberal MPs.

Mr Hidding’s threat of legal action follow his apologies to Ms Forrest in writing and in person, after he described his behaviour at the parliamentary dinner as “unacceptable”.

Opposition leader Bryan Green laid the blame for the escalating drama at the feet of Premier Will Hodgman.

Mr Green said a sitting MP taking legal action against another was unprecedented.

“The Premier’s inaction in relation to the Ruth Forrest matter has led to a farcical situation now where a minister of the crown is taking legal action against an Upper House member,” Mr Green said.

Labor Leader Bryan Green talking to reporters about Ruth Forrest’s bullying allegations against Rene Hidding. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

When Ms Forrest’s accusations about Mr Hidding’s behaviour were first raised in House of Assembly, Mr Hodgman rejected any suggestion Mr Hidding’s alleged behaviour could be considered a breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct.

The following week Mr Hodgman said he was confident there had been no breach, having taken advice from the secretary of DPaC and from the Solicitor-General.

The Code of Conduct for Tasmanian Government ministers says: “Ministers are to treat everyone with respect, courtesy and in a fair and equitable manner without harassment, victimisation or discrimination.”

Mr Hodgman said he had not spoken to Ms Forrest.

Mr Green said given the escalation of the situation Mr Hodgman had no choice but to act.

“Today he has no option but to launch a Code of Conduct investigation at the same time he either sacks his Police Minister or demands his resignation,” he said.

Mr Hodgman is currently on leave.