On the first day of budget estimates, Mr Hodgman fronted one of two House of Assembly estimates committees – tasked with holding the government to account for its decisions - which was subject to a revolving door line-up of questioners.

But it was Leader of Opposition Business David Llewellyn who posed what was perhaps the thorniest question to the Premier.

“[Do you] support changing the date of Australia Day, given the controversial aspects of [the] day and its effect on the aboriginal community?” Mr Llewellyn said.

Mr Hodgman replied that the Liberal government had no “policy to do so”.

“It’s a matter that is clearly the subject of a national conversation and appropriately so,” the Premier said.

“The current Australian government has no plans to change the date of Australia Day.

“[And] the Tasmanian government has no such policy position [either].”

Mr Llewellyn noted that certain local government areas had flagged their support for a prospective date change for Australia Day, most prominently the Hobart City Council.

“How [do you] view the ... local government areas that are actually expressing a view and moving away from the date of Australia Day, with acknowledgement of the seriousness that it holds with regard to indigenous people, the concern that they have?” Mr Llewellyn asked the Premier.

Mr Hodgman said it was the “prerogative” of local government to form its own views on issues such as these.

“I don’t know if it’s state Labor policy,” he said.

Mr Llewellyn replied that he was not interested in Labor’s policy relating to the issue.

“I just want to understand your … personal view about these particular matters,” he said.

This got a laugh out of the Premier.

“Is it Labor policy to do this?” he repeated.

Sitting on Mr Llewellyn’s right, Deputy Opposition Leader Michelle O’Byrne provided an answer to Mr Hodgman’s question.

“We do believe there’s a significant problem with that date,” Ms O’Byrne told the Premier.

Mr Hodgman offered a retort, saying it “beg[ged] the question why [Labor] didn’t do anything when [it] was in government for 16 years”.

“At least we know now what Labor’s official policy position is,” the Premier concluded.

But it was not only Australia Day that came under scrutiny in Mr Hodgman’s estimates hearing, as the Premier fielded questions from his political rivals on issues such as government advertising and the conduct of his Ministers.

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING

Opposition Leader Rebecca White brought with her a print-out of a post from the Premier’s professional Facebook page, which featured the state government logo.

She noted that the government style guide explicitly ruled against utilising the logo in promotional material.

“Can you explain the politicisation of the state government logo?” Ms White said.

Mr Hodgman said the post was “regrettable”.

“We endeavour to ensure that we comply with the guides,” he said.

INSTITUTIONAL CHILD SEX ABUSE

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor wanted to know why the government had not committed funding in the 2017-18 state budget to the Commonwealth Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sex abuse.

Mr Hodgman said the next national meeting of Attorneys-General regarding the scheme was scheduled for July 19.

“I expect we’ll be able to say more about it [then],” he said.

The Premier also said a path forward would become “clearer” from this point onward.

GOVERNMENT COSTS

Mr Hodgman took the opportunity to emphasise his government’s efforts to cut down on government costs:

JUNCTION ARTS FESTIVAL

The Premier outlined the government’s intention to continue funding Launceston’s Junction Arts Festival for a further five years.

Mr Hodgman said the festival, entering its eighth year, was “growing in appeal” and thus attracting visitors to Tasmania.

The government will provide $1.25 million to support Junction to 2021.

RENE HIDDING BULLYING ALLEGATION

The Opposition Leader took the Premier back to 2016, when independent Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest alleged that government Minister Rene Hidding had bullied her.

Ms White sought information regarding the Code of Conduct for Ministers and whether Mr Hidding had breached that code in his interactions with Ms Forrest.

“Did the Solicitor-General clear Mr Hidding?” Ms White said.

The Premier said it was he who made the final call on whether or not Mr Hidding had ultimately breached the Code of Conduct for Ministers, taking into account advice from the Solicitor-General.

It was not clear exactly what the Solicitor-General’s advice was.

ADAM BROOKS EMAIL AUDIT

Ms White also probed the Premier on the ongoing audit of Liberal backbencher and former government Minister Adam Brooks’ email account.

Mr Brooks was forced to stand down from his position as Mining Minister when he admitted to using a business email account connected to his mining company.

Ms White asked if the public would know the results of the audit before the next state election.

The Premier said Mr Brooks’ divorce proceedings were impeding the progress of the audit.

He stressed that Mr Brooks would still be contesting his seat in the next election.

“He’s not one to pack up and give up,” the Premier said.

TREASURER’S TAMAR VALLEY POWER STATION LETTER

The issue of Treasurer Peter Gutwein’s 2015 letter to Energy Minister Matthew Groom regarding the Tamar Valley Power Station was again raised, with Ms White seeking to understand why the document had been withheld from the Public Accounts Committee.

The Premier reiterated that the letter had been deemed cabinet-in-confidence and that the committee in question was prone to leaking information.

“Any reasonable person would have serious reservations about trusting this particular committee with information,” Mr Hodgman said.