Greens accuse Labor party of misusing public money

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said on multiple occasions Labor had let its Legislative Council candidates effectively issue media releases via the Parliamentary email system, with no elected MP quoted and with a Labor staffer as the media contact.

"This is a blatant misuse of public money," Ms O'Connor said.

"In recognition of the fact these are publicly funded resources, electioneering or party business is not on, whether it's footing the bill for party promotional material, or using the time of a highly paid staff member to promote political candidates.

"The opposition leader's staff have no business electioneering for the Labor Party.

"The guidelines are provided to MPs are very black and white."

Labor leader Rebecca White said when her party had been issuing press releases representing its Rosevears and Huon candidates it had been in relation to current matters, particularly around COVID-19 and the delay in the elections.

"We thought it was important from a point of view of informing the public that we provide an update on those matters to let people now what was happening with those campaigns," Ms White said.

"It's not unprecedented for a political party to include reference to candidates in the press releases that they issue.

"I don't think anything inappropriate has occurred here."

The government issued a similar release on behalf of Premier Peter Gutwein on June 13, titled 'Clear choice for Rosevears', which included quotes from the Liberals' Rosevears candidate.

Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff said his understanding of the release was that it was not inappropriate for the Premier to highlight the new election date for the upper house seats of Rosevears and Huon, given the election had been delayed.

"Looking forward we will ensure the Liberal party is responsible for any candidate information presented," Mr Rockliff said.

When asked if was fair the government had used its significant resources to promote a candidate considering other candidates such as independents did not access to such resources, Mr Rockliff said all candidates irrespective of their political affiliation had the same spending cap for their campaign.

He said he would seek advice as to if the media release had broken any rules.

A government spokesperson said after a period of uncertainty about the Legislative Council elections due to coronavirus it was appropriate the Premier's media release confirmed the new date for the elections to be held.

"It is not unusual for candidates of all persuasions to do media events with sitting members," the spokesperson said.