The parliamentary year has ended with Labor and the Greens moving a no-confidence motion in Premier Will Hodgman.
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The parties attacked Mr Hodgman for what they saw as a year of weak leadership and a lack of control over the conduct of his ministers, in particular Sarah Courtney and former minister Adam Brooks.
Members from the opposition benches spoke of a failing health system, a disgruntled public sector workforce, and a premier who was too restrained by the conservative members of his party to take action on important matters.
Government members praised a turnaround in the state’s fortunes under Mr Hodgman’s leadership.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson called him the best premier the state has had.
The motion was lost by a vote with Speaker Sue Hickey siding with her own party.
The no-confidence motion was triggered by an Integrity Commission report was tabled in Parliament this week on his conduct of Mr Brooks while he served as a government minister in 2016.
It found that he had no material conflict of interest when he served as Resources Minister and still accessed the email account for his business Maintenance System Solutions.
Despite this, the commission found he had breached protocols put in place to separate his business interests from his portfolio responsibilities and had misled Premier Will Hodgman on the nature of his dealings with MSS.
Earlier in the day, Mr Brooks vowed to stay in Parliament.
“I’ve been cleared and have no intention of going anywhere,” he said.
“The reason that Labor want me gone is they know how much damage I do to them up here (in Braddon).
“There’s no need to speculate on who might get the seat because I’m not giving it up.”
It was revealed in Parliament on Wednesday night the government had paid $57,888 in legal fees for Mr Brooks as a result of the Integrity Commission’s investigation.
Mr Brooks said he would repay the money.
“I have decided it would be in everyone’s best interest if I pay my own legal fees,” he said.
“I will reimburse the government for the amount paid to date and I will not be claiming any further costs.”
Mr Hodgman said the payment was made two months ago, prior to the Integrity Commission making its final report.
He said the Solicitor-General prepared terms to ensure the money could be recovered if commission’s report showed Mr Brooks had not acted in good faith.
“It is appropriate that he reimburse the Government for the costs of his legal affairs,” Mr Hodgman said.
