Parties throw support behind Tasmania’s Governor Kate Warner

LABOR and the Greens have thrown their support behind Tasmania’s Governor in the wake of her comments about Queensland senator Pauline Hanson.

Tasmania’s Governor Kate Warner. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

LABOR and the Greens have thrown their support behind Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner in the wake of her comments about Queensland senator Pauline Hanson.

A day after Premier Will Hodgman expressed his “full support” for Professor Warner, but did not disclose details of their conversation, Labor leader Bryan Green and Greens leader Cassy O’Connor offered their backing.

Senator Hanson accused Prof Warner of “moralistic posturing” and suggested she consider stepping aside.

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This followed the Governor criticising at a Hobart rally on Saturday, Senator Hanson’s views that “Australia was in danger of being swamped by Muslims”.

“It is important that Australians who oppose her views stand up and be counted,” Prof Warner said.

Prof Warner and Senator Hanson declined to comment yesterday.

Constitutional lawyer Brendan Gogarty said part of the problem was the Governor’s role was not properly described in the Constitution.

He said a Governor was generally seen as striving to be apolitical.

“But is that just in relation to Tasmanian politics, or politics generally, because this is a member of the Senate in Queensland who is castigating her, not a member of the Legislative Council in Tasmania,” he said.

Mr Green said Labor strongly backed the Governor in her stand against racism and intolerance.

He said Labor “strongly disagreed” with comments by senator Eric Abetz, who said he respected Prof Warner but it was not the governor’s role to involve herself in controversial issues.

Ms O’Connor said Mr Hodgman should have better stood “by the Governor in her role, and in her responsibility to promote mutual respect and tolerance in our community”.

Senator Carol Brown described Prof Warner as a highly respected and eminent legal figure in Australia, who was admired by Tasmanians from all walks of life.

Labor senator Lisa Singh said Prof Warner was voicing the widespread concerns of many Tasmanians about Senator Hanson’s “divisive anti-immigration views’’.