Mining minister Adam Brooks resigns over ‘conflict of interest’ claims

BESIEGED Minister Adam Brooks has resigned from Cabinet because of a “perception of a conflict of interest” between his business interests and the mining portfolio.

BESIEGED Minister Adam Brooks has resigned from Premier Will Hodgman’s Cabinet because of a “perception of a conflict of interest” between his business interests and the mining portfolio.

Mr Brooks was stood down from his portfolio responsibilities, including mining, on Friday pending an audit of an email address linked to a company he owns.

MORE: BROOKS STOOD DOWN FOR MISLEADING PARLIAMENT

MORE: CALLS FOR MINING MINISTER ADAM BROOKS TO BE SACKED

Following a weekend of reflection with his family, Mr Brooks has announced it would be in the best interests of the Government for him to resign. But he hopes to one day return to the portfolio.

“I am disappointed that it has come to this, but it is obvious that the perception of a conflict of interest has become a distraction for the Government,” Mr Brooks said.

The saga started on Thursday night during the final hour of Budget estimates committees in State Parliament when Mr Brooks said “no” on three occasions when asked if he used an email address linked to his company Maintenance Systems Solutions, which has done work in the mining industry.

He later corrected the record, saying he used the email address for “personal use”.

“I don’t accept that I misled Parliament – it was an error,” he said.

“Once I realised that, I corrected the record.”

MATT SMITH: CONDUCT UNCONVINCING

Adam Brooks, left, and Premier Will Hodgman at the announcement of Mr Brooks’ resignation from Cabinet. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

The popular MP who secured more votes than any other candidate in the 2014 State Election – securing two and a half quotas in the electorate of Braddon – said he would stay in Parliament.

He said holding the mining ministry was a privilege.

“I will continue to work on the divestments of my business interests and once that has been completed then certainly there could be a possibility that I can return to Cabinet and would certainly be keen to continue on,” Mr Brooks said.

Mr Hodgman said there was no guarantee Mr Brooks would return to the portfolio.

Mr Brooks said he did not accept it was a mistake that he was given the mining portfolio before he had divested all of his business interests.

In February, when Mr Brooks was appointed as the minister for mining, building and construction, red tape reduction, consumer affairs and racing, Mr Hodgman said a protocol had been set up so the Braddon MP could divest his commercial interests.

“We put in place strict protocols to manage Mr Brooks’ business situation and there is no evidence to suggest they were not upheld,” Mr Hodgman said.

“Nonetheless, the Crown Solicitor’s audit of Mr Brooks’ MSS email account will continue, in order to confirm it was not used in breach of the protocols.”

University of Tasmania law school deputy dean and Right to Information expert Rick Snell questioned the process, even before Mr Brooks had resigned.

“They have set up an elaborate procedure but there has been no reporting back,” he said.

“They have set these procedures in place but the onus is on Brooks. I would have liked a much more extensive review of all of his dealings.

“There is a choice to make ... you are either a businessman or a frontbencher.”

Opposition leader Bryan Green.

Despite the resignation, Mr Hodgman is expected to face one of his toughest days in Tasmanian Parliament with his political opponents already labelling him as weak.

Opposition leader Bryan Green said the Brooks debacle had proven the Premier was incapable of showing leadership when it was needed most by refusing to sack the Minister after the Budget Estimates incident.

“For four days now the Premier has refused to act when it was clear to all Tasmanians that Mr Brooks had been caught red-handed,” Mr Green said.

“Clearly in the lead-up to tomorrow’s Parliament sitting Mr Brooks saw no way out and decided to fall on his sword.”

Mr Brooks stressed he had not been pushed to resign.

He said he expected to run for his seat at the next election.

“I love being a member of Parliament, I love being part of the team,” he said.

Jermey Rockliff has been sworn in as Minister for Racing, Rene Hidding as Mininster for Mining and Peter Gutwein as Minister for Building and Construction.

[e-mail]