Right to Information papers released on Tuesday showed a series of emails whereby staff were trying to find a suitable office for Dr Whittington, the secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, Water and  Environment.

“John Whittington will be working two days per week from Prospect from next week,” an email sent on September 24 from the acting general manager of strategic services said.

“He will need an office (PGO, probably Lands or PWS floor) set up with docking stations, two screens, etc.”

Deputy Labor leader Michelle O’Byrne said the documents showed that Dr Whittington returned from accompanying Ms Courtney on a trade mission to Asia and requested that his department find him office space for two days a week in Launceston.

“Obviously there are now more questions to be answered - yet again the government has been dragged kicking and screaming to reveal information that should have been provided when Labor asked specific questions in the Parliament two months ago,” Ms O’Byrne said.

“Why specifically did the secretary make this request at this time?

“Importantly, was the request made for personal rather than professional reasons because Sarah Courtney is based in Launceston?”

Ms O’Byrne said the emails showed departmental staff “went to considerable lengths to source office space for Dr Whittington and is it appropriate that public servants were placed in this position?”

“The use of taxpayers’ money was not included in the scope of the original investigation into Ms Courtney’s breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct,” she said.

“Each expense claimed by Ms Courtney and Dr Whittington must now be forensically examined before this matter can be closed.

“It is extremely suspicious and the Premier – who has cleared Ms Courtney and Dr Whittington of any wrongdoing – must answer these critical questions.”

A DPIPWE spokesman said DPIPWE was a statewide organisation with offices across all regions.

“As head of this agency the secretary’s role is a Tasmania-wide position.

“The secretary is able to undertake his role from any location in the State and the Secretary works Statewide to work and represent the organisation and manage the Agency.

“During the election campaign, the State government made a commitment to support the northern economy by moving 100 DPIPWE positions to the North and North-West of Tasmania to drive economic growth and service delivery.”

A government spokesman said independent reviews into Ms Courtney and Dr Whittington concluded that “there was no inappropriate decision making by Ms Courtney and that Dr Whittington had not breached the State Service Code of Conduct.”

“Prior to the last state election, the government announced a plan to move 100 DPIPWE staff to the North and North West and pre-dates Ms Courtney’s Ministerial appointment,” he said.

“DPIPWE has approximately 25 per cent of its staff in the North and it is not unreasonable for a head of agency to spend time where staff are based.”

Another email said: “Fionna (sic) mentioned that you were thinking about working out of Launceston on a part time basis. I hope that you can make that happen and we will be very pleased to have you here. I am making contact as I have a “ hot desk” (enclosed office) with what could be a reception area available. This space is in demand and our marine counterparts have asked if they could use it.

“If your plan to work part time in the North is more than a thought bubble please let me know and I can house the marine person elsewhere.”

Ms Courtney is no longer Minister for Primary Industries.