Premier says he won’t inquire into permit system exemptions

Premier Peter Gutwein says there are no special favours being granted under the essential traveller permit system after.

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PREMIER Peter Gutwein has defended the integrity of the system which allows essential travellers into the state — but says he will not review the circumstances of a permit granted to a hotel consultant.

Tourism and Hospitality Services Australasia managing director Rodger Powell was granted an essential traveller exemption ahead of the opening of the Crowne Plaza Hotel on July 1.

Documents released under Right to Information laws revealed the application was granted following an email from Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief Steve Old to DPIPWE secretary Tim Baker.

“Hey mate. Any help you can offer with this?” Mr Old wrote, adding a smiling face emoji. “Yep, I will look in to it”,” came the reply. Mr Baker denied influencing the permit’s granting.

Mr Powell was pictured attending the hotel opening with Mr Gutwein and Mr Old.

Mr Gutwein said he had full confidence in State Controller Darren Hine — who has the final say on who gets exemptions and no inquiry or review would occur.

“My understanding is, and I am advised, that no exemption was provided to anyone to attend a function,” he said.

Tim Baker Chief of Staff to Premier Will Hodgman

“The gentleman concerned had final sign-offs to do in terms of the opening of the hotel and employment of staff. That’s my advice.

“I have not seen his application, I have not been involved in the process but in terms of the application you’ve got to provide evidence about the reason necessary for you to be here and obviously he’s gone through that process, the decision was made to allow him into the state.”

Mr Gutwein said he did not recall meeting Mr Powell until he saw a photo of them together at the hotel opening which was published by the Mercury online.

Mr Powell said he was needed on site or the hotel would not have opened on time.

Rodger Powell, third from left partially obscured, shown at the opening of the Crowne Hotel in Hobart with Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein

“I have been the lead independent hotel consultant and advisor on the ICON hotel project — now the Crowne Plaza Hobart — since 2014,” he said.

“I participated in all elements of the project, attending, weekly, monthly and quarterly meetings in person or via video link as required.

“I was required to attend the Crowne Plaza Hobart in person prior to the hotel opening to conduct a range of final physical site inspections and to confirm that all parties had met the requirements of the various agreements and contracts and that the hotel was therefore able to be handed over to InterContinental Hotels Group to open the doors.”

CEO of the Tasmnaian Hospitality Association, Steve Old. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said there was a live question about special treatment.

“Steve Old, who did so much to help the Liberals win the last state election, only has to send an email to the secretary of a government department and things start happening,” she said.

“Tasmanians who have sacrificed so much over the past five or six months will look at that situation and scratch their heads in wonder.”

Labor’s Sarah Lovell said people had a right to be concerned about the process.

“It’s not a good look when you’ve got the head of a peak body emailing the person responsible for processing those applications and then that application ending with a favourable outcome,” she said.

“It’s not enough for the premier to say that it’s happening at arm’s length from him because he is responsible for these processes.

“At the end of the day it’s his responsibility to ensure that the processes are robust and that it is absolutely above reproach.”

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