Premier admits timing of Howlett’s swearing in was a ‘mistake’

The decision to swear Jane Howlett into a multiple portfolios following the death of her brother was a “significant mistake,” the Premier has admitted. LATEST FROM PARLIAMENT >>

THE decision to swear Jane Howlett in as a minister on the day her brother died was a “significant mistake,” Premier Peter Gutwein says.

Ms Howlett has given the Small Business; Women; Racing; Hospitality and Events and Disability Services portfolios in a cabinet reshuffle on February 17.

She resigned a week later, citing family reasons, and has taken leave from parliament.

Mr Gutwein told the House of Assembly he had reflected on the decision to give Ms Howlett multiple portfolios while she was dealing with a family tragedy and concluded he had done the wrong thing.

“She was sworn in on that day at Government House within a handful of hours of the death of her brother,” he said.

“As I have said, that is something that I would never allow a Minister or member of this side of the House to go through again.

Swearing in of the last Tasmanian government cabinet. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Premier Peter Gutwein with former Sports Minister Jane Howlett before the Hobart Ashes. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“When I look back, it was a significant mistake on my behalf.

“But, on that day, Ms Howlett said she felt comfortable and wanted to continue with the swearing‑in at Government House.

“In hindsight, it was an extraordinarily difficult time for her.”

The government has spent the last five sitting days of parliament under fire from the Labor Opposition over allegations of a perceived conflict of interest between her personal life and her ministerial duties.

Mr Gutwein says Ms Howlett has denied any such conflict due that her close personal relationship with JackJumpers CEO Simon Brookhouse.

Opposition attempts to force an independent inquiry into the matter were voted down by the government on Wednesday.

Labor leader Rebecca White dubbed the Premier “Shouty Pete” over his emphatic rejections of claims of wrongdoing during debate on the motion.

The slumping, slipping and stagnant revealed in latest polling – March 9

SUPPORT for the Liberal Party has dropped dramatically since the state borders reopened in December, the latest opinion polling shows.

THE EMRS poll taken on March 1 shows 41 per cent of those surveyed indicated support for the Liberal party, down from 49 per cent at the state election and two subsequent opinion polls.

It is the first time the Liberals have been the choice of a minority of voters since the start of the pandemic.

Labor was up from 26 per cent to 31 per cent, the Greens down from 13 per cent to 12 per cent and support for other candidates up from 12 per cent to 16 per cent.

Premier Peter Gutwein took a hit to his personal popularity too: down from 59 per cent to 52 per cent as preferred premier – his worst result since March 2020.

HILLCREST TRIBUTE GAME

Mr Gutwein hit a peak of 70 per cent in August that year on the back of widespread approval for his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Labor leader Rebecca White saw her rating as preferred premier rise from 28 per cent to 33 per cent since the previous survey, her best result since March 2020.

The poll was taken after the resignation of Ministers Sarah Courtney and Jane Howlett, but EMRS managing director Paul Jamrozik said he believed the result was largely a reflection of the government’s handling of the border reopening on December 15.

Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White.

“These latest results confirm what we have felt throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Tasmanian voters have been particularly sensitive to the Liberal State Government’s decisions to protect Tasmanians and be responsive to Tasmania’s unique island status,” he said.

EMRS believes that the move to open the borders has been a key test of the latest Government decisions.”

He said that Mr Gutwein still enjoyed a handy lead on his opponent.

“Yes, it is down” said Mr Jamrozik, “but it is still significantly higher, by 19 percentage points than the 33 per cent recorded for Rebecca White.”

“EMRS suggests that now, in the coming months, there will be other issues, beyond Covid, that Tasmanians will be responding to.”

Stealthing: Tassie’s shock move to stamp out appalling sex act – March 8

NEW laws to create a stand-alone offence of non-fatal strangulation have been tabled in state parliament.

Introducing the legislation on International Women’s Day, Attorney-General Elise Archer said the legislation delivered an election promise.

“This significant suite of family violence reforms confirms we are continuing to ensure our laws are strong and robust, to protect victim-survivors of family violence, and ensure perpetrators are appropriately held to account for the severity of their crimes,” she said.

“This Bill delivers on our 2021 election commitment to the Tasmanian community and appropriately recognises that non-fatal strangulation, choking or suffocation is a significant form of violence, which can be a precursor for escalation in the severity of family violence.

“Violence in any form is never acceptable, and this legislation will strengthen our laws and send a strong message it will not be tolerated in Tasmania.

Elise Archer Minister for Justice and Corrections. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Additionally, while our consent laws are among the best in the nation already, we are further strengthening our laws by expressly addressing conduct that is colloquially known as ‘stealthing’.”

Stealthing is refusing to wear, tampering with or removing a condom during intercourse when a partner indicates one must be used.

“While stealthing can be prosecuted under our existing laws, specific recognition of ‘stealthing’ will help educate the public, discourage would-be offenders, and encourage complaints and prosecutions for sexual offences such as rape,” the Minister said.

Ms Archer said further amendments to the Family Violence Act would be made in the coming weeks.

The bill was one of four tabled at the start of the second week of parliament for the year. The Others included the government’s housing assistance and land tax changes and a bill to better regulate the use of electronic billboards.

They join the Safe Climate Bill, which until Tuesday was the lone piece of substantive government legislation at the top of the House of Assembly’s notice paper.

The Greens have 12 bills and Labor, two.

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