Greens leader Cassy O'connor has expressed "regret" for wrongly criticising police over an investigation. The Police Association of Tasmania has written to Ms O'Connor asking her to apologise for comments she made in State Parliament on Thursday. Association president Colin Riley said Ms O'Connor criticised Tasmania Police saying there had been no police investigation or follow up in relation to an alleged ramming of a protester's car in the Tarkine. "The facts are, our members investigated the matter and charged the alleged offender on the Wednesday at 11.30am," Mr Riley said. "Ms O'Connor made her comments - alleging pro-loggers are above the law - under Parliamentary privilege, which means our members have no avenue to defend themselves. "I call on Ms O'Connor to apologise to the Tasmania Police officers involved and withdraw her comments at the next Parliamentary sitting on March 17." Mr Riley said Ms O'Connor should have made her own investigations before criticising police who were unable to defend themselves in Parliament. "Was she aware or unaware that Tasmania Police had charged a person when she made these comments?" he asked. Ms O'Connor said she would respond to Mr Riley. "At no time did I seek to malign Tasmania Police as Labor has claimed, but of course I regret if any of the good men and women who serve have taken offence," she said. "I had checked with Bob Brown Foundation prior to the debate and understood they'd received no follow up from Tasmania Police. "I will respond to Mr Riley in writing on behalf of the Greens." Ms O'Connor took aim at Labor members Jen Butler and Dr Shane Broad for calling on her to apologise during Thursday night's adjournment debate. "We first hear from Labor on this disturbing incident when they see a chance to score a political point. It's both negligent and shameless," she said. Ms Butler said it was "outrageous" a member of Parliament could show such disrespect for police. "I believe Tasmania Police is the best in the country," Ms Butler said. "They keep us safe and for the member to be so scathing and wrong is blatantly unprofessional and so, so, so disappointing." Dr Broad said police did not need "outrageous, baseless slurs".
Greens leader Cassy O'connor has expressed "regret" for wrongly criticising police over an investigation.
The Police Association of Tasmania has written to Ms O'Connor asking her to apologise for comments she made in State Parliament on Thursday.
Association president Colin Riley said Ms O'Connor criticised Tasmania Police saying there had been no police investigation or follow up in relation to an alleged ramming of a protester's car in the Tarkine.
"The facts are, our members investigated the matter and charged the alleged offender on the Wednesday at 11.30am," Mr Riley said.
"Ms O'Connor made her comments - alleging pro-loggers are above the law - under Parliamentary privilege, which means our members have no avenue to defend themselves.
"I call on Ms O'Connor to apologise to the Tasmania Police officers involved and withdraw her comments at the next Parliamentary sitting on March 17."
Colin Riley
Mr Riley said Ms O'Connor should have made her own investigations before criticising police who were unable to defend themselves in Parliament.
"Was she aware or unaware that Tasmania Police had charged a person when she made these comments?" he asked.
Ms O'Connor said she would respond to Mr Riley.
"At no time did I seek to malign Tasmania Police as Labor has claimed, but of course I regret if any of the good men and women who serve have taken offence," she said.
"I had checked with Bob Brown Foundation prior to the debate and understood they'd received no follow up from Tasmania Police.
"I will respond to Mr Riley in writing on behalf of the Greens."
Ms O'Connor took aim at Labor members Jen Butler and Dr Shane Broad for calling on her to apologise during Thursday night's adjournment debate.
Cassy O'Connor
"We first hear from Labor on this disturbing incident when they see a chance to score a political point. It's both negligent and shameless," she said.
Ms Butler said it was "outrageous" a member of Parliament could show such disrespect for police.
"I believe Tasmania Police is the best in the country," Ms Butler said.
"They keep us safe and for the member to be so scathing and wrong is blatantly unprofessional and so, so, so disappointing."
Dr Broad said police did not need "outrageous, baseless slurs".
