The Greens’ attempts to gain political points over a decision taken by the independent Work Health and Safety Regulator have backfired.
Worksafe Tasmania is the independent Work Health and Safety Regulator and makes its decisions independent of the Government.
Contrary to ridiculous claims from the Greens, the Government did not refer the Bob Brown Foundation matter to Worksafe, nor has the Government in any way instructed or influenced the independent Regulator to take action.
Only following its intention to issue a notice, Worksafe advised me of this decision. This is part of the normal process of agencies notifying their respective Ministers of matters of significance.
And the ongoing and overt politicisation by the Greens of their referral of this matter to the Integrity Commission has now been called out by the Chief Commissioner of the Commission.
In responding to the Government’s request for advice on the Greens’ publication of the referral, Chief Commissioner Greg Melick AO SC stated:
“It is always inappropriate to have investigations being compromised by the publication of complaints. We question the motives of those so doing and don’t appreciate attempts to use the Commission for political purposes.”
The Integrity Commission must now be given the opportunity to undertake its work without any further politicisation by the Greens.