Political staffer alleges she was ordered to campaign for Liberal candidate

A former Liberal government staffer has accused Liberal MPs of requiring her to engage in significant political campaign activities during her paid work hours. Sharee Minnikin-Smith told a parliamentary committee that for five months leading up to the 2024 state election, she was employed by Leonie Hiscutt, the former leader of the government in the upper house, but spent her time campaigning for Jane Howlett.

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Over time, I began to feel that I had been employed for a purpose different from the role I believed I had accepted.

Minnikin-Smith's duties allegedly included door-knocking, letterboxing, and organizing campaign events for Howlett, who was seeking re-election. She stated that her work was "100 percent for Jane Howlett" during office hours. Although ministerial and parliamentary staff are permitted to engage in political activities outside of work, they are not allowed to do so as part of their taxpayer-funded roles, according to the Integrity Commission.

The state government has refuted these allegations, issuing a statement that described the claims made under parliamentary privilege as "incorrect." Minnikin-Smith also raised concerns about her treatment in Howlett's office and subsequently lodged an application with the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (TasCAT) after her termination by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC), though she later withdrew it.

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100 per cent for Jane Howlett

Jane Howlett recently resigned from cabinet amid pressure concerning $405,000 of taxpayer funds used for her legal action. Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirmed the Supreme Court action was linked to an Integrity Commission investigation.

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an ex-employee has made a series of incorrect claims under parliamentary privilege