PARLIAMENTARY Secretary Adam Brooks must resign if he is not willing to fully explain his behaviour during a trade mission to China, according to Opposition Leader Bryan Green. Mr Brooks has publicly apologised to the Premier for missing a bus carrying his delegation to an official dinner with the Chinese President last month. It is understood Mr Brooks missed the bus by a matter of minutes, and was driven separately to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Mr Brooks missed a ceremonial welcome to Chinese President Xi Jinping, but was later present at the banquet. Mr Green said it was not good enough for Mr Brooks to simply apologise, and called for an explanation. "Why did Mr Brooks miss this engagement with one of the most powerful men in the world?" Mr Green said. "There needs to be an explanation of exactly what happened - if he can't explain then he should stand down." Mr Brooks declined requests for interviews yesterday. However, Hobart Mayor Sue Hickey, who was part of the delegation, insisted the incident was a storm in a teacup. Alderman Hickey said the group was given an incredibly tight window of time to get ready before the banquet. "By the time we got up to our rooms we virtually had to turn straight around and get back onto the bus," she said. However, Franklin Greens MHA Cassy O'Connor said serious questions remained about Mr Brooks' behaviour while representing the state overseas. "I think many Tasmanians are feeling that they've only heard a small part of the story and there's been silence from Mr Brooks and the Premier on these questions," Ms O'Connor said.
PARLIAMENTARY Secretary Adam Brooks must resign if he is not willing to fully explain his behaviour during a trade mission to China, according to Opposition Leader Bryan Green.
Mr Brooks has publicly apologised to the Premier for missing a bus carrying his delegation to an official dinner with the Chinese President last month.
It is understood Mr Brooks missed the bus by a matter of minutes, and was driven separately to the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
Mr Brooks missed a ceremonial welcome to Chinese President Xi Jinping, but was later present at the banquet.
Mr Green said it was not good enough for Mr Brooks to simply apologise, and called for an explanation.
"Why did Mr Brooks miss this engagement with one of the most powerful men in the world?" Mr Green said.
"There needs to be an explanation of exactly what happened - if he can't explain then he should stand down."
Mr Brooks declined requests for interviews yesterday.
However, Hobart Mayor Sue Hickey, who was part of the delegation, insisted the incident was a storm in a teacup.
Alderman Hickey said the group was given an incredibly tight window of time to get ready before the banquet.
"By the time we got up to our rooms we virtually had to turn straight around and get back onto the bus," she said.
However, Franklin Greens MHA Cassy O'Connor said serious questions remained about Mr Brooks' behaviour while representing the state overseas.
"I think many Tasmanians are feeling that they've only heard a small part of the story and there's been silence from Mr Brooks and the Premier on these questions," Ms O'Connor said.
