Former senior Tasmanian public servant Mervin Reed is providing key advice to newly elected House of Assembly Speaker Sue Hickey.
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Mr Reed has worked as a financial adviser since 1992 and is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
He has worked in both the federal and state public service in areas including health, tourism and the Government Printer.
He also specialises in corporate governance and has been a media commentator on local government.
It’s understood Ms Hickey is not using the government media office to handle her media inquiries.
The media office provides support and advice to government MPs.
Mr Reed said on Wednesday that he was currently working as Ms Hickey’s “principal adviser”.
Meanwhile, Ms Hickey is under fire from a group of homeless Tasmanians who have set up tents on the lawns of Parliament House.
Spokeswoman Pixie Skitenjarl of Hobart said Ms Hickey had asked the group to leave the lawns.
“I think it’s disgusting that her first act as Speaker was to ask us to move on,” Ms Skitenjarl said.
“She came down pretending to support our cause and gave me a hug but I didn’t like her condescending attitude.
“But we will not be moved.
“We are staying.”
Ms Skitenjarl said 22 tents were on the lawns on Tuesday night but two had left because the sprinklers had been turned on.
In a joint statement, Ms Hickey and Legislative Council President Jim Wilkinson said the protesters were not able to stay on the lawns.
“The protesters that have set up tents on the lawns have been given permission to protest but permission has not been given for them to remain on the lawns for an extended period of time as this would remove the rights of other groups to protest,” they said.
“In addition, there are significant concerns about safety and the lack of facilities such as water and toilets.”