Braddon Liberal MHA Adam Brooks says he will pay legal fees

Former mining minister Adam Brooks says he will reimburse taxpayers the almost $60,000 in legal fees incurred during an Integrity Commission investigation into his behaviour.

FORMER mining minister Adam Brooks says he will reimburse taxpayers the almost $60,000 in legal fees incurred during an Integrity Commission investigation into his behaviour.

Premier Will Hodgman this week revealed taxpayers forked out $57,888 in legal fees charged during an Integrity Commission investigation that ultimately found the Braddon Liberal MHA repeatedly lied to the Premier and deliberately deleted emails that proved he had maintained involvement in a business with mining interests while mining minister.

MORE:

TAXPAYERS PICK UP BROOKS’S LEGAL BILL

BROOKS’ $2.7M HOME ON THE MARKET

Mr Brooks, on medical leave, on Thursday said he had “reflected” on the situation since it was revealed on Wednesday and “decided it would be in everyone’s best interest if I pay my own legal fees”.

“I will reimburse the Government for the amount paid to date, and I will not be claiming any further costs,” he said.

Mr Brooks, who this week said he did not agree with all of the commission’s findings, also told Fairfax Media he would return to Parliament in March next year.

“I’ve been cleared and I’m not going anywhere,” he said.

Mr Hodgman said Mr Brooks had been granted indemnity two months ago but only if he was proven by the Integrity Commission to have acted in good faith.

Former human services minister Jacquie Petrusma was awarded more than $20,000 in legal costs after she was cleared by the Integrity Commission in another investigation, a government spokesman said.

Mr Brooks’s partner, Hobart City Council alderman and Liberal senate candidate Tanya Denison, this week wrote on social media she was “100 per cent behind this guy”.

“So proud of you,” Ald Denison said.