The Tasmanian Premier’s Refusal to Disclose Details of a Secret Court Case
The Tasmanian premier, Jeremy Rockliff, has refused to provide details about a secret court case that led to the resignation of his environment minister, Madeleine Ogilvie. This incident has sparked significant public and political interest, with many questioning the transparency of the government’s actions.
Madeleine Ogilvie stepped down from her cabinet position on Saturday, following months of controversy after she incorrectly told parliament that she was not involved in any court cases. After persistent questioning from the Greens, she finally admitted that she had indeed initiated a Supreme Court action. She explained that she made an error while trying to comply with a suppression order.
“I apologise for answering the original question poorly,” she said during the statement.
Despite this admission, the specifics of the case remain unknown. The subject matter, the opposing party, and the timeline of events are all shrouded in secrecy. However, it has been revealed that taxpayers have spent approximately $120,000 on Ms. Ogilvie’s legal fees between 2023 and 2025.
During budget estimates on Monday morning, with Ms. Ogilvie absent, Premier Rockliff faced intense scrutiny from Opposition Leader Josh Willie and Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff. He remained non-committal, despite the pressure from both parties.
“These are complex matters and I’m not going to be commenting any further… especially given the confidentiality requirements,” he stated. “Ms. Ogilvie has given an undertaking as other members have to provide full details when Ms. Ogilvie is legally entitled to.”
Both leaders attempted to question Mr. Rockliff’s leadership and judgment, asking when he became aware of the court matter and whether he or the cabinet sanctioned the use of public funds. Mr. Rockliff avoided further discussion, only stating that the legal fees were “within guidelines.”
In addition to her role as environment minister, Ms. Ogilvie also held portfolios in innovation, community and multicultural affairs, and arts. It remains unclear when Mr. Rockliff might reassign these responsibilities.
Ms. Ogilvie, who represents the inner-city Hobart electorate of Clark, has a history marked by political shifts. She was first elected as a Labor MP in 2014, serving one term before failing to be re-elected. She returned to parliament through a recount after the mid-term resignation of Labor MP Scott Bacon in 2019, but chose to sit as an independent.
She later switched allegiances to the Liberal Party and won a seat at the 2021 election, serving as a minister since 2022.
This latest scandal adds to the challenges facing Mr. Rockliff’s government, which has already faced criticism for breaking an election promise to establish a state-backed insurance company and implementing a tough budget that includes $700 million in health cuts. The situation highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability within the Tasmanian government.
