In Victoria the state branch is openly livid that Mr Mantach was allegedly found to be responsible for $1.5 million in missing and hard-earned corporate and individual donations. The police were called in. The Victorian branch was not about to unfairly suffer from one person's behaviour.

In Tasmania few people in the State Liberal branch knew of the circumstances surrounding Mr Mantach's sudden departure as State director in 2008, and that it involved the repayment of $48,000 in party funds.

State party president in 2008 Dale Archer has commented to interstate media but is not commenting to local media. State director Sam McQuestin and current party president Geoff Page remain silent on this issue.

This is the usual, orthodox crisis management response, which is the wrong response in this case. Don't give the issue any oxygen by talking about it, and it will eventually go away. Don't feed it.

The contrast with Victoria is palpable. In Victoria the media focus has been quite rightly deflected to the former state director. In Tasmania, for want of a party narrative, the focus is on the local party machine and what is not being said. The Liberal Party rank and file are almost as much in the dark as the local media.

From what can be ascertained so far, and with some difficulty within Tasmania, this whole issue involves the actions of one person. No one else in the Tasmanian branch is complicit in any way.

It would be wise for someone in the Tasmanian branch hierarchy to stand up and reassure the membership and Tasmanians of this.

Political parties survive on donations. You would think our Liberal Party hierarchy would be robust in preserving its brand, and the management of this precious source of income.