‘Malice’: Exiled Liberal Brendan Blomeley fights back after rift deepens

The rift in the Liberal Party over veteran and Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley deepens ahead of the party’s state council this month. Read the latest missive + What the Premier said.

Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley at Richmond. Picture: Chris Kidd

Exiled Liberal and Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley has accused some in the Liberal Party of “malice” and using a Greens MP to damage his reputation.

In an email to Franklin Liberal Party members early on Friday morning he said that after “abusing the constitution” to remove him “they have now moved to using Greens MP Cassy O’Connor to fight their unprincipled and desperate battles”.

“The unsourced anonymous general assertions made against myself by the Greens MP were deliberately fed to Ms. O’Connor to seek to damage my reputation,” he wrote.

“Make no mistake, any Liberal with a genuine complaint could go to one of our three women’s groups or the State Women’s Committee or to any of our female officeholders or to any of our female parliamentarians.

“Yet, we are to believe their first port of call is a Greens MP. How stupid do they think we are?”

His email follows a letter to all members by Premier Jeremy Rockliff on Thursday night saying he abhors bullying and sexism and he wants changes to the way complaints are handled.

Ms O’Connor told the Legislative Council last week she had been contacted by women within the Liberal Party with concerns about Mr Blomeley.

Greens MLC Cassy O'Connor. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Blomeley’s expulsion is likely to be discussed at the party’s state council this month and he said he had been told some were “begging people” not to support a motion dealing with his membership.

“Having lost 12 per cent of the vote at the last election, it would have been more helpful if they concerned themselves with an election review rather than attacking the leadership of the electorate which actually won us an extra seat - the only one to do so,” he said.

“What is more, they are also openly denigrating the person who topped the poll for us in Franklin and now serves as a very senior cabinet minister and widely acknowledged as the most capable, the Hon Eric Abetz MP.

“The State President has now rejected two peace proposals put to him by the State Premier. The disregard and disrespect to the Premier shown by the President is disgraceful.

“The use of a Greens MP to fight a battle which should never have been started shows the depths to which some in our Party are willing to stoop.”

Mr Blomeley thanked those who had supported him saying: “Those making these attacks via a Greens MP clearly have no regard either for the many female members of my family.”

In the Senate on Thursday night Liberal Senator Jonathan Duniam said there was “unequivocal support” for party president Michael McKenna, and the state executive.

‘I abhor and condemn bullying’: Premier’s letter to party members

August 23, 5am

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has written to Liberal Party members regarding the treatment of women in the party saying he abhors bullying and sexism and complaint-handling procedures must change.

The letter, seen by the Mercury, follows allegations made against Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley by Greens member for Hobart Cassy O’Connor in the Legislative Council last Thursday night.

“While I do not agree with the manner in which the allegations were raised, I want to make it very clear that any allegation of this nature must be taken with the utmost seriousness,” he wrote.

Tasmanian Premier, Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Linda HIgginson

“Our Party has a proud history and ethos of egalitarianism and support for all members, regardless of gender.

“I abhor and condemn bullying, inappropriate behaviour, and sexism in any setting and in any form.

“Such behaviour in any community, organisation, or workplace must never be tolerated.”

But Mr Rockliff said the party must improve how it deals with complaints.

“To this end, I believe there are improvements that can be implemented in the Liberal Party’s complaint-handling procedures, including best practice ways of offering multiple access options for reporting,” the letter said.

“This week, I wrote to the State President to advocate for change.

“Additional measures such as this would help to preserve and uphold our Party’s commitment to providing a productive, rewarding, and, most importantly, safe environment for all our staff and members.

“I will continue working with our Party leadership to ensure we have appropriate support and processes in place for our members.”

Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley. Picture: Chris Kidd

Greens MLC Cassy O'Connor. Picture: Chris Kidd

The Premier urged members with concerns or feedback to contact him, his staff or the party.

Under parliamentary privilege, Ms O’Connor told the Legislative Council she had been contacted by women within the Liberal Party with concerns about Mr Blomeley.

“We’ve been made aware there’s an active complaint within the Liberal Party executive about Mr Blomeley and about his conduct towards Liberal women, including intimidation, bullying and sexual harassment,” she told parliament.

Mr Rockliff supported comments made publicly by his state colleagues including that: “It’s very important if people do have allegations that they feel welcome to come forward, and I know significant work has been done across a range of different areas in that space.”

The Liberal Party has been split since Mr Blomeley, a 30-year party veteran, was expelled for not dismissing speculation he might run as an independent at the last state election.

In the Senate on Thursday, Senator Jonathan Duniam supported Mr Rockliff’s stance saying members “can take heart from no matter where a report is made in what forum or by whom, it’s our commitment, along with our state colleagues, that these reports are taken seriously, not just swept aside”.

Mr Blomeley is expected to comment on Friday.