Labor says it will formally refer to the Integrity Commission for investigation a minor code-of-conduct breach by government minister Sarah Courtney after she started a personal relationship with her former department head John Whittington.
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Despite two investigations into any conflict of interest concerns about the relationship, Labor spokeswoman Jo Siejka said the matter warranted further investigation after it was revealed in one investigation that Ms Courtney should have acted sooner on disclosing the relationship due to a perceived conflict of interest on the matter.
The relationship started on September 13 but Ms Courtney disclosed it one month later.
Ms Siejka said there remained questions over the process of the enquiries after staff within the Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Department had volunteered to give evidence but were not interviewed.
Former state Director of Public Prosecutions Damian Bugg led one investigation.
He said in a statement that he completed the enquiry “to the extent which I regarded as necessary”.
“No restrictions were placed on me and if I had required further time or information I would have requested it,” Mr Bugg said.
“That was unnecessary.”
Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said by referring the matter to the Integrity Commission, Labor was questioning the integrity of "one of Tasmania's best legal minds".
Integrity Commission chief commissioner Greg Melick and chief executive Richard Bingham in the body’s most recent annual report said it was concerning parliamentarians continued to make public statements on planned or actual complaints.
“It is more difficult to conduct an investigation if the matter has been publicised and needless and unwarranted reputational damage often accompanies such statements,” they said.