Background on Madeleine Ogilvie
Madeleine Ogilvie, a Tasmanian government minister, has decided to step down from the frontbench following allegations that she misled parliament. With a political career spanning over four years as a Liberal government minister, her journey began as an independent and before that, as a Labor MP. Her recent decision has sparked significant debate and scrutiny within the political landscape of Tasmania.
The Allegations of Misleading Parliament
During budget estimates last year, Ms. Ogilvie denied any involvement in Supreme Court actions. However, it was recently revealed that she is a party to proceedings she initiated. This revelation has led to accusations from both the Greens and Labor, who have called for her resignation. In response, Ms. Ogilvie stated that she would move to the backbench to prevent the government from being distracted by this matter.
“I am always guided by the rules, the law and proper process,” she said. “But I do apologise for answering the original question poorly — my intent was to give as much information within the bounds of the suppression order as I could.”
The Greens’ Accusation
The Greens have accused Ms. Ogilvie of intentionally misleading the parliament. During budget estimates hearings in November, the Greens asked every minister if they were a subject of or a party to any Supreme Court matters in the previous 18 months. While many answered affirmatively, Ms. Ogilvie initially said no.
Three days later, she sent a clarification note stating that she had not been the subject of legal proceedings initiated by another party. However, this note did not mention the legal proceedings started by Ms. Ogilvie herself. When asked by the Greens about her statement, she did not clarify the situation further.
Parliamentary Response
On Thursday, the Greens again questioned Ms. Ogilvie in parliament about the truth of her earlier statements. She responded by clarifying that she was a party to a matter she had initiated “in the execution of my duties as minister.” Despite this admission, she did not provide details about the matter at that time.
The Greens leader, Rosalie Woodruff, sent a letter to Premier Jeremy Rockliff, outlining the timeline of events and accusing Ms. Ogilvie of dishonesty. She emphasized that the Greens would continue to press for answers regarding the matter.
Premier’s Statement
Premier Jeremy Rockliff expressed his sadness at accepting Ms. Ogilvie’s request to move to the backbench. He acknowledged her commitment to upholding the law and the integrity of Parliament. However, he also noted that she would continue to contribute to the government and Tasmania’s parliament.
Ongoing Questions and Concerns
Despite the Greens’ acceptance of her move to the backbench, they still have questions about the matter. They are concerned about why it took six months and multiple attempts at clarification for the truth to come out. Additionally, they are seeking answers about potential knowledge of other government members and the broader implications for other Liberal ministers and MPs.
Labor leader Josh Willie echoed these concerns, stating that serious questions remain about Ms. Ogilvie’s conduct. He emphasized the importance of honesty and accountability among ministers, suggesting that she failed to meet these standards.
Political Journey and Background
Ms. Ogilvie’s political journey has been marked by several transitions. She was first elected as a Labor MHA in 2014 but broke ranks with the party in 2017. After losing her seat, she returned to state parliament in 2019 and eventually became a Liberal candidate, retaining her seat in 2021.
Before entering politics, Ms. Ogilvie worked as a commercial lawyer, including projects in Indonesia and Silicon Valley. She has also worked for CSIRO, focusing on commercializing intellectual property. Her background in telecommunications infrastructure projects adds to her diverse experience.
Ms. Ogilvie is a granddaughter of Labor MP Eric Ogilvie, who served in the Tasmanian Parliament during the tenure of his brother, Albert Ogilvie, as Labor Premier from 1934 to 1939.
