Tasmania's Integrity Commission Review Stalled by Legal Issues

The independent review of Tasmania's Integrity Commission has been halted due to a legal issue, Premier Jeremy Rockliff announced. This review was a key condition of the minority government's confidence and supply deal with the Jacqui Lambie Network (JLN).

The government's concern is that appointing an independent reviewer might conflict with the functions of the parliamentary committee on integrity, which is tasked with monitoring, reviewing, and reporting on the Integrity Commission's performance.

The deal with the three Jacqui Lambie Network MPs – Andrew Jenner, Rebekah Pentland, and Miriam Beswick – lapsed last year when Ms. Pentland and Ms. Beswick quit the party and became independents. While Mr. Jenner hasn't reached a new agreement with Mr. Rockliff, Ms. Pentland and Ms. Beswick signed a new deal in August, which included retaining and fulfilling the integrity review within the original timeframe.

While disappointed, Ms. Beswick believes the joint committee on integrity can still examine the Integrity Commission and potentially have more power than an independent reviewer. Mr. Jenner, however, expressed frustration, stating that the cancellation confirms neither the premier nor his government can be trusted.

Independent MLC Meg Webb questioned the legitimacy of the legal issue as a reason for halting the review, especially considering the significant delay in raising this concern. She also highlighted the Integrity Commission's underfunding and outdated legislation, emphasizing the need for reform.

The government has yet to clarify when the legal issue was identified and why this review cannot proceed while the 2016 review of the commission was possible. A spokesperson argued that the 2016 review was enabled by a specific legislative provision that has since expired, leaving the ongoing oversight responsibility with the Joint Standing Committee on Integrity.

Labor leader Dean Winter criticized both the government and the independents for their handling of the situation. He believes the government rushed into the deal without proper due diligence, while the independents haven't held the government accountable for its commitment. Ms. Pentland, however, rejected this suggestion, stating that she and Ms. Beswick are holding the government accountable.

The next meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Integrity on March 11 will discuss the possibility of conducting a review.