Brooks’ former partner Tanya Denison quits Tasmanian Liberals
the former partner of controversial ex-MP Adam Brooks, has quit the Liberal party via Facebook post earlier today. LATEST >>
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TANYA Denison, the former partner of controversial MP Adam Brooks, has quit the Liberal party.
Ms Denison was a Hobart City councillor who quit in 2020 to move to Penguin and work for the Cradle Coast Authority.
In a post on social media on Tuesday (May 25), Ms Denison announced she had quit the party, without stating her reasons.
She posted an image which appeared to taken at Mona of her walking down a dark tunnel towards the light.
Ms Denison did not respond to requests for comment.
The Liberals faced criticism over their handling of Mr Brooks’ candidacy during the recent state election campaign.
He was accused of using false identities to conduct relationships with women he met via online dating sites.
And he is also facing criminal charges in Queensland over the possession of firearms, ammunition and allegedly false identity documents. He denies the charges.
Mr Brooks resigned shortly after being declared elected in the seat of Braddon.
Premier Peter Gutwein stood by Mr Brooks throughout the election campaign, saying he was entitled to the presumption of innocence amid mounting claims about his conduct.
Once Mr Brooks quit, Mr Gutwein said he was a private citizen.
The Greens have lodged a compliant with the Integrity Commission over the Liberals’ handling of Mr Brook’s preselection and election.
ALP says Premier has questions to answer over Brooks affair – May 21
THERE is a need for an inquiry into the Liberal party’s handling of former Minister Adam Brooks as a candidate in Braddon because voters have been treated like mugs, acting Labor leader Anita Dow says.
Mr Brooks’ campaign was dogged by claims he used fake identities for form relationships on dating sites, which he denied.
He quit shortly after being declared after being elected, revealing he had been charged with firearms and explosive offences and possessing fake identity documents in Queensland, which he also denies.
The Greens have asked the Integrity Commission to look into his preselection, election and resignation.
Ms Dow said voters had a right to know exactly how Mr Brooks had been preselected and supported right through the election campaign, only to quit at the last minute.
“For me, it’s about the voters of Braddon being treated with contempt by this government and Premier Peter Gutwein,” she said.
“They’re really being treated as mugs. Right now we only have four people elected across Braddon and we’re still waiting for the result of the recount.
“Who knew what, and when, that’s what we need to understand.
“It’s not good enough for the premier to distance himself from Mr Brooks. He’s obviously announced his new cabinet made some changes to faces but there’s still the same old issues facing Tasmania.
Mr Gutwein declined to comment today.
“Adam Brooks is a private citizen and his matters are now before the courts,” he said.
The government has released then 2021 Parliamentary sitting schedule showing that state parliament will sit for just 43 days this year.
Ms Dow said the slim sitting schedule was a reflection of a government with not much on its agenda — and a scandal to wait out.
“I think it’s disappointing that the government aren’t resuming parliament earlier.
“There is the opportunity of course to go back earlier — the problem for them is they don’t have all of their party members lined up yet, obviously with the recount and Adam Brooks debacle across Braddon.
“They were pretty light-on for legislation at the beginning of this year, so it doesn’t surprise me that they’re not keen to go back to parliament but we’re ready and we would have gone back earlier if that was their choice.”
Greens report Premier to Integrity Commission
May 20, 2021:
THE Greens have referred the preselection, election and resignation of Liberal candidate Adam Brooks to the Integrity Commission.
Mr Brooks is facing criminal charges over the possession of firearms, explosives and allegedly fake identification documents in Queensland.
He has indicated he will plead not guilty — and has also denied claims of conducting relationships with multiple women using fake identities.
Green leader Cassy O’Connor said she was concerned at the timing of the Premier’s announcement of Mr Brooks’ resignation as a candidate, which came just minutes before the election results were made final on May 14.
She said there was a cloud hanging over the state election result and said the matter needed further investigation.
“We have today written to the Integrity Commission, asking them to investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Adam Brooks’ preselection, the support that the premier gave him throughout the campaign and the manner of his resignation,” she said.
“The Integrity Commission is the only option that we have for a body to investigate.”
Ms O’Connor said some independent Upper House MPs had expressed concern about the case.
“There is also a rumbling of discontent within the broader Tasmanian community about the campaign and the timing in particular of Mr Brooks’ resignation,” she said.
Mr Gutwein said he was unconcerned by the Greens’ move.
“I’m happy to withstand any scrutiny on this matter. I have been honest and upfront with Tasmanians right through this process,” he said.
“Once again though, it does dissapoint me that the Greens would seek to use the Integrity Commission as a weapon.
“The Integrity Commission themselves are on public record indicating their displeasure at people weaponising them in terms of referrals but that’s a matter for the Greens and that’s a matter for whether the Integrity Commission take up the matter.”
Gutwein defends timing of release of Brooks news
Monday, May 17: TASMANIANS are entitled to draw their own conclusions about the timing of Adam Brooks’ resignation as a Liberal Party MP, Premier Peter Gutwein says.
Mr Brooks informed Mr Gutwein on Thursday night he would not be taking his seat in parliament as a member for Braddon despite being declared elected earlier in the day.
A recount will take place in the seat on June 2.
Mr Brooks is facing criminal charges in Queensland for allegedly possessing a firearm, ammunition and false documents. He has denied the charges.
Mr Gutwein announced the news of the fresh proceedings against Mr Brooks on Friday morning. He said he told the public as soon as he could of the MP’s withdrawal.
“Can I make the point that the first time I was aware of the matters in Queensland was 7pm on Thursday night.
“I chose the earliest opportunity, which was Friday morning, to explain those circumstances to Tasmanians.
“Tasmanians can draw their own conclusions.
“I believe in the rule of law and there’s a process underway and the process needs to take its course.
“Adam is a private citizen now. The courts and the processes that will need to roll out, will roll out.”
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