Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O'Connor has accused the Liberal Party of protecting a one-time adviser to former premier Will Hodgman, who she says called her a "meth-head c--t".
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In an explosive speech on adjournment in the State Parliament on Wednesday night, Ms O'Connor exercised parliamentary privilege to say that, in 2019, government staffer Andrew Hudgson verbally abused her as she gave a press conference on the parliament lawns.
Mr Hudgson went on to work for federal Housing Minister Michael Sukkar, but has now resigned from that position after other allegations were made.
"I have a personal story to tell about a vile insult Mr Hudgson directed at me, which was heard by [Greens adviser] Alice Giblin, during a media interview on the lawns of Parliament on the 1st of February, 2019," Ms O'Connor said.
"As he and his colleagues walked across the lawns not far from us, Mr Hudgson called me a 'meth-head c--t.
"Imagine hating women so much, you'd say that audibly about a woman you don't know, who also happens to be an elected representative."
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Ms O'Connor said Ms Giblin made "detailed notes" about the incident, and reported it to the premier's office.
She said Mr Hodgman's chief-of-staff at the time, Tim Baker, told Ms Giblin that he had asked Mr Hudgson if the allegation was true and he denied it.
"[Mr Baker] said, 'Well, you can see how it's a tough position - you're saying one thing, and he's saying it didn't happen'."
"A male Liberal staffer was believed over a female Greens staffer."
The Greens leader said Ms Giblin persisted and the matter was referred to the Department of Premier and Cabinet for investigation.
Mr Hodgman wrote to Ms O'Connor two weeks after the alleged incident occurred, telling her it was "not substantiated".
"In the end, Alice was not believed," she said. "To this day, we haven't seen that DPAC report."
"And so, here we are. Andrew Hudgson's story was believed. He went on to work for the Morrison government.
"It reminds me a bit of the Catholic Church of old - shuffle people around, but keep them on the books."
Ms O'Connor said the "take-home" from the matter was that "Mr Hudgson has been protected by the Liberal Party, state and federal".
A federal government spokesperson said the government was "unaware of any allegations raised about the alleged behaviour of the staff member during their previous employment".
"After several historical allegations surfaced, the staff member was asked to resign," the spokesperson said. "Which they have done."
In June 2019, Mr Hudgson pleaded guilty to drink driving in the Hobart Magistrates Court and was disqualified from driving for 15 months. A state government spokesperson said at the time that Mr Hudgson was "extremely remorseful" and had "accepted full responsibility for the matter".
Mr Hudgson has been contacted for comment.