In a desperate attempt by the Leader of the Opposition to cover her embarrassment over her false claims about the former TasTAFE heads contract, she has sunk to a new low by selectively quoting the Integrity Commission.
In a statement today Ms White selectively quoted a section from the Integrity Commission letter:
“There is an argument that the Premier could have instituted proceedings against Mr Conway for a breach of the State Service code of conduct. This course of action would have been consistent with the intent of the Commission's recommendation in its earlier investigation. If successful, such proceedings would have removed Mr Conway's entitlement to a severance payment under Schedule 68 of the instrument.”
Yet, in the very next paragraph the letter quite clearly states:
“However, the Commission acknowledges that the decision to proceed under the consecutive appointment provisions was open to the Premier to make, and obviated the cost and disruption of a disciplinary proceeding. Further, it is likely that the cost of the salary payable to Mr Conway whilst such a proceeding was taken would have been comparable to the severance payment which was actually made, and the course adopted enabled a 'clean break' to be made more quickly.
Strangely, this paragraph does not appear in Ms White’s release because it completely debunks her false claims.
When in a hole, stop digging. My advice to Ms White is to put the shovel away, quickly.
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