Howlett claims branded ‘violence, abuse and harassment’ by MP Jacque Petrusma

Claim and counterclaim have dominated a fourth rowdy day of parliament debate with one MP claiming Labor has committed acts of ‘harassment’ by continuing to ask questions about Jane Howlett.

THE Labor Opposition was committing acts of “violence, abuse and harassment” by continuing to ask questions about a former government minister’s alleged conflict of interest, parliament has heard.

Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Jacquie Petrusma made the claim during rowdy debate in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, saying the Opposition needed to reflect on whether they were creating an unsafe workplace on International Womens’ Day.

“They showing no respect, especially for Ms Howlett,” she said.

“They are not creating a safe Tasmania because what they are doing is committing the worst act of violence, abuse and harassment against a member of the state parliament that cannot come into this place.”

Jacquie Petrusma. Picture: Richard Jupe

Ms Howlett has been accused of a potential conflict of interest during her time as Minister for Sports and Recreation because of her close relationship with the CEO of the government-sponsored JackJumpers basketball team, Simon Brookhouse.

She has told Premier Peter Gutwien she has done nothing wrong.

Opposition leader Rebecca White told Parliament the Howlett case was reminiscent of the accusations of using false identities levelled against Liberal candidate Adam Brooks in the lead up to last year’s state election.

“Premier there is a clear pattern of behaviour emerging that points to a culture of cover-up in your government,” she said.

“You said that you were satisfied when Adam Brooks told you there was nothing to see.

“We’ve seen you rely on the same defence of ignorance when it comes to alleged conflicts of interest your ministers have.”

Former Minister for sport and recreation Jane Howlett. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr Gutwein rejected calls for an independent inquiry.

“I think the answer is pretty simple: you haven’t made a case,” he said. “You have not made a case.

“What the leader of the opposition has done over the last week, along with members of her team, is smear someone’s reputation.

“They have stood in the gutter, Mr Speaker, and they have thrown rocks at an individual who has not been able to defend herself in this place to speak.”

Ms Howlett was removed from the Sport and Recreation portfolio by Mr Gutwein during a cabinet reshuffle on February 17 after two years in the job.

She resigned from her remaining portfolios a week later, citing family reasons after the death of her brother and has taken two weeks’ leave from parliament.

Ms White asked Mr Gutwein whether Ms Howlett had been present in cabinet discussions when the government-funded Derwent Entertainment Centre refurbishment costs blew out by $20m from its original $41m budget.

Mr Gutwein said he had approved the funding himself. “No conflict of interest exists,” he said.

The Premier accused Ms White of having misled the parliament by claiming “an imaginary man” had visited the parliament last week.

Ms White had asked if Mr Brookhouse was in the parliament building.

Ms White cited the case of “Terry Brooks” as another case of an imaginary man.

Earlier on Monday in a joint statement, JackJumpers owner Larry Kestleman and CEO Simon Brookhouse said payments to the team were signed and supervised by other government departments and the timings did not coincide with Mr Brookhouse’s’ tenure.

NBL Owner and Executive Chairman Larry Kestleman.

“There has been speculation in Tasmanian parliament and various media outlets that there is a conflict of interest between the organisation and the Tasmanian Government. The Tasmania JackJumpers wish to be clear that this is not the case,” the statement said.

“The Sponsorship Agreement between Tasmania JackJumpers (Tasmania Basketball Pty Ltd) and The Crown in Right of Tasmania (on behalf of the Department of State Growth) is dated July 1, 2020 and was signed on behalf of the club by Larry Kestleman and on behalf of the Tasmanian Government by Premier Peter Gutwein.

“As previously stated, the funding negotiations commenced with previous Premier, Will Hodgman and were concluded with current Premier, Peter Gutwein.”

Follow @DavidJKillick