Liberal Party Fixer’s role in Howlett saga prompts questions

Labor wants to know what a ‘Liberal party fixer’ was doing in the room when a government Minister quit. LATEST FROM PARLIAMENT >>

PREMIER Peter Gutwein has been asked why a “Liberal party fixer” was present in a meeting during which a Minister suddenly resigned her post.

In state parliament this morning, the Premier declined to confirm Font PR executive Brad Stansfield was in the room when Jane Howlett quit her ministries last Friday.

Labor leader Rebecca White asked why Mr Gutwein was covering up Mr Stansfield’s attendance and asked if anyone had tried to discourage Ms Howlett from resigning.

“Do you realise how bad this looks?” she said.

Labor Leader Rebecca White Photo: Linda Higginson

“Do you deny that you or Brad Stansfield put pressure on her to resign to protect either the JackJumpers reputation and your own after you’d initially tried to cover up the conflict of interest by moving her out of the sports portfolio?

“I’ve had enough of this rubbish,” Mr Gutwein replied, accusing Labor of dragging parliamentary debate into the gutter.

“If I wanted to start slinging mud in the place and start slinging rumours … but I thought about it last night and somebody has to be the adult in the room.”

Mr Gutwein said he had answered questions about the matter “as honestly as I could” and rejected opposition calls for an independent investigation.

Premier Peter Gutwein on the first day of parliament for 2022. Photo: Linda Higginson

“Who Ms Howlett brought to that meeting as a support person was a matter for her,” he said.

“That person was there as a friend and nothing more.

“I know they have had a long friendship and have been members of the Liberal Party for a long time. I answered the question as honestly as I could.”

Mr Stansfield was a longtime senior Liberal staffer under Premier Will Hodgman who now works in the private sector. His firm has the Liberal Party and the JackJumpers among its clients.

Roger Jaensch chats to Brad Stansfield. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Ms Howlett was dropped from the portfolio in a reshuffle two weeks ago and resigned from her remaining portfolios on Friday, citing family reasons after the death of her brother.

Mr Gutwein again rejected claims Ms Howlett had a conflict of interest between her role as Sports Minister and her personal relationship with the CEO of the JackJumpers.

“When I became aware … I raised this with Ms Howlett. She categorically denied it,” Mr Gutwein said.

“She provided that explanation and frankly I believe it.

“I have made my position clear. I have explained the circumstance. I have nothing further to add.

Ms White said a pattern had emerged under Mr Gutwein of him accepting without question the denials of Liberal MPs accused of wrongdoing.

Police and Emergency Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma accused the opposition of inflicting “emotional violence” on Ms Howlett.

Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff was ejected from a rowdy Question Time after contesting an order to leave by Speaker Mark Shelton.

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