Tasmanian racing minister under pressure to resign over Tasracing communications

Tasmanian Racing Minister Jane Howlett is under pressure to resign, amid growing controversy over more than $300,000 in taxpayer-funded legal fees, ongoing questions about transparency and her communications with Tasracing.

Earlier this year, Treasurer Eric Abetz told parliament that $303,800 had been spent by Howlett “in the execution of her official duties.”

However, the lack of detail surrounding the legal matter has fuelled criticism from opposition parties, who argue the public deserves clearer answers.

After the recent resignation of former Liberal minister Madeleine Ogilvie, who stepped down after admitting she had been involved in a Supreme Court action she had previously denied, Howlett is next under the spotlight for the Greens and Labor.  

Now her dealings with the state’s racing body have also come under scrutiny.

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has claimed that Howlett knew about a message from Tasracing to industry participants before it was sent during the election period, in what would be breach of caretaker conventions.

“Minister Jane Howlett must immediately resign for misleading Parliament. If she won’t, Premier Jeremy Rockliff must act decisively and remove her from her position today,” Woodruff said in a statement.

“First, under sworn testimony, the public relations’ representative for Tasracing detailed how he had sent the message in question to the Minister’s office in its entirety. The text of that message makes it clear it was for public consumption. Second, this same person also said categorically he had not received TasInsure policy details from the Minister’s office.
 
“These two pieces of evidence directly contradict what the Minister has repeatedly told Parliament.”

“If the Premier doesn’t make sure his Minister is removed from her role today, it will really show he has absolutely no integrity left whatsoever. 

Earlier, Labor leader Josh Willie told the ABC that the same standard should apply to Howlett as to Ogilvie, arguing her position is no longer tenable.

“In Labor’s view, public confidence and trust in Minister Howlett has been eroded by her failure to provide answers to the serious questions surrounding her conduct,” he said. He added that she cannot remain in cabinet “while she refuses to answer basic questions about a secret legal matter funded by Tasmanian taxpayers.

Rockliff has defended the handling of the expenses matter, citing legal sensitivity and established processes around approving ministerial legal costs. He is yet to comment on the developments in the Tasracing issue.

Howlett has had two spells as the state’s racing minister and has been in her current position since April 2024. She is also the Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events, Women and the Prevention of Family Violence, Arts, and Community and Multicultural Affairs.

The developments in Tasamnia follow the recent political scandal in Queensland where Racing Minister Tim Mander was forced to step aside while an investigation is undertaken into an electoral irregularity. Andrew Powell is fulfilling the role on an interim basis.