Ms O'CONNOR question to PREMIER, Mr GUTWEIN
We know an early election is on the cards. We also know your last election was bankrolled by the gambling industry. What we do not know is the source of 92 per cent of Liberal Party donations received in the year 2019-20. In fact, the Australian Electoral Commission figures released since the last election show your party has refused to release the source of about $7.5 million in donations. Of course, the money will really start to pour in as we get closer to an election. Will parliament see electoral reform legislation before you call an early election so that this election is a genuine contest of values and policies uncontaminated by the influence of secret donors?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Tasmanian Greens for that question. Regarding an election, I have said that I have an open mind and Tasmania will have an election when it needs an election. That is what I have said.
Ms O'Connor - And you decide what we need.
Mr GUTWEIN - It sounds like the Leader of the Opposition has already made up her mind that she wants an election.
Ms O'Connor - Did you just call me the Leader of the Opposition?
Mr GUTWEIN - No - sorry.
Ms O'Connor - Thank you.
Mr GUTWEIN - Madam Speaker, that was a slip of the tongue but there is some truth to that, I think. I make the point that on that side of the House it is only the Greens that bring out a fully-costed alternative budget and have the courage of their convictions to announce their policies and explain how they will fund them, unlike Labor. Mind you, as I have said on many occasions, many of those policies are kooky.
What the Leader of the Greens wants me to do is to speculate on when there might be an election date and -
Ms O'CONNOR - Point of order, Madam Speaker. For the Premier's clarification, perhaps he misunderstood the question. We are not asking when the election date will be. We are asking whether electoral reform legislation will come before the House because, as we know, based on figures from the last election year, the Liberal Party is likely to receive another $3 million in secret donations before the next campaign.
Madam SPEAKER - Thank you very much, Leader of the Greens. As you know, under the structure of this House, that is not a point of order but I have allowed it for Hansard.
Mr GUTWEIN - As I have said, it appears that the Leader of the Greens is wanting me to speculate on when there might be an election. I have an open mind and Tasmania will have an election when it needs one.
Ms O'CONNOR - Point of order, Madam Speaker. Perhaps the Premier could accept that this is a matter that is important to Tasmanians. It is in the public interest to know whether electoral reform legislation will come before the House before it rises for the next election.
Madam SPEAKER - Was that under standing order 45, relevance?
Ms O'CONNOR - Yes. It is a very important question for Tasmanians.
Madam SPEAKER - Premier, I think you get the gist of the conversation.
Mr GUTWEIN - Madam Speaker, I do, and as I said, in terms of an election, I have an open mind to it.
Ms O'Connor - But that's not the question.
Mr GUTWEIN - In terms of timing, Tasmania will have an election when it needs one.