Tasmanian crossbench MPs issue ultimatum to premier over former minister's alleged misleading of parliament

Tasmanian crossbench MPs have issued an ultimatum to Premier Jeremy Rockliff, demanding he reveal precisely when he became aware that former minister Madeleine Ogilvie had allegedly misled parliament. The group reserves the right to pursue "parliamentary options" if direct and exact answers are not provided by Friday morning.

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There is no satisfactory explanation for your repeated refusal to answer straightforward questions during Budget Estimates hearings in the House of Assembly and the Legislative Council [last] week.

Ms Ogilvie resigned from cabinet on May 30, stating she did not want the government to be distracted after answering a question "poorly." This followed her confirmation late last month that she had initiated Supreme Court action, contradicting her statement to a parliamentary committee in November last year where she claimed not to have been involved in any such action.

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Your non-answers have shown profound disrespect to the Parliament and the Tasmanian people.

During budget estimates hearings last week, the Premier and his ministers faced intense questioning but declined to elaborate on their knowledge of the situation, citing confidentiality requirements. However, a letter sent by four Greens MPs and three independents, Kristie Johnston, Peter George, and Helen Burnet, accuses the government of stonewalling.

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Given these facts, it is our contention that you and members of Cabinet were in a position to know that Ms Ogilvie had misled Parliament prior to the matter being raised in Parliament in May.

The letter states there is "no satisfactory explanation for your repeated refusal to answer straightforward questions" and calls the non-answers a "profound disrespect to the Parliament and the Tasmanian people." The signatories also highlighted that approximately $120,000 in taxpayer funds covered Ms Ogilvie's legal fees between 2023 and 2025, related to her ministerial duties. They contend that the Premier and Cabinet were aware Ms Ogilvie had misled parliament prior to the matter being publicly raised, constituting a failure of duties and integrity standards.

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This is a clear failure of your duties under the Ministerial Code of Conduct, and of basic integrity standards.