STATE Growth Minister Matthew Groom has been accused of deliberately lying about the possible sale or giveaway of TasTAFE buildings, and urged to resign. On Wednesday, Mr Groom was asked during Question Time if the government was considering selling or giving away the TasTAFE building on Campbell Street in Hobart. In response, Mr Groom told Parliament: "There is no specific proposal that this government is progressing for the transfer of the TasTAFE building." However, Mr Groom was later forced to correct the record in the House of Assembly. He admitted signing a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding last month, which included potentially transferring the title of the TasTAFE property to the University of Tasmania. Mr Groom tabled the MoU, which showed the transfer would help UTAS to pay for its Academy of Creative Industries and Performing Arts. Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the minister misled Parliament and the public, could not be trusted, and must resign. "He signed this document just a month ago, and he stood in this place and lied to the people of Tasmania," Mr Green said. "This isn't a matter of correcting the record, he knew exactly what the situation was. "Matthew Groom has shown that he cannot be trusted and he must resign. If he doesn't, the Premier must uphold the standards expected of MPs and sack him." In a statement released late Wednesday afternoon, Mr Groom said any potential transfer of the TasTAFE property was still some way off. "Clearly, before any decision to proceed with such a transfer, the government would need to be satisfied that such a transfer was in the best interests of all parties, including TasTAFE, and in the best interests of Tasmania," he said. "But I stress, there is a long way to go before any agreement could be reached, and the MoU is of an exploratory and non-binding nature only."
STATE Growth Minister Matthew Groom has been accused of deliberately lying about the possible sale or giveaway of TasTAFE buildings, and urged to resign.
On Wednesday, Mr Groom was asked during Question Time if the government was considering selling or giving away the TasTAFE building on Campbell Street in Hobart.
In response, Mr Groom told Parliament: "There is no specific proposal that this government is progressing for the transfer of the TasTAFE building."
However, Mr Groom was later forced to correct the record in the House of Assembly.
He admitted signing a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding last month, which included potentially transferring the title of the TasTAFE property to the University of Tasmania.
Mr Groom tabled the MoU, which showed the transfer would help UTAS to pay for its Academy of Creative Industries and Performing Arts.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the minister misled Parliament and the public, could not be trusted, and must resign.
"He signed this document just a month ago, and he stood in this place and lied to the people of Tasmania," Mr Green said.
"This isn't a matter of correcting the record, he knew exactly what the situation was.
"Matthew Groom has shown that he cannot be trusted and he must resign. If he doesn't, the Premier must uphold the standards expected of MPs and sack him."
In a statement released late Wednesday afternoon, Mr Groom said any potential transfer of the TasTAFE property was still some way off.
"Clearly, before any decision to proceed with such a transfer, the government would need to be satisfied that such a transfer was in the best interests of all parties, including TasTAFE, and in the best interests of Tasmania," he said.
"But I stress, there is a long way to go before any agreement could be reached, and the MoU is of an exploratory and non-binding nature only."
