Premier backs away from revealing reasons for backbencher's legal costs

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff with Liberal Member for Lyons Mark Shelton in 2025. (Facebook: Mark Shelton) On Friday, Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he'd provide further information regarding $15,000 in legal fees provided to Liberal MP Mark Shelton. At a press conference on Sunday, the Premier declined to provide further information. The Tasmanian Greens are calling on Mr Rockliff to "honour his word" and clarify what the fees were used for. Link copiedShareShare articleTasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has declined to explain why taxpayers footed a $15,000 legal bill for a backbencher, despite days ago pledging to provide more information. In response to a question in parliament on Thursday from Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff about whether any taxpayer money had been provided to the Member for Lyons, Mark Shelton, for legal fees, Treasurer Eric Abetz said $14,958 had been spent between January 1, 2023 and April 7, 2025. At Agfest the following day, Mr Rockliff told reporters he'd clarify what the fees were required for. Journalist: "What are Mark Shelton's $15,000 worth of legal fees for?" Mr Rockliff: "Well, I can get some further information." Journalist: "He's not a minister, so if it isn't for official business, is it related to official business?" Mr Rockliff: "I'll get that information for you." Journalist: "Is it related to the Bracknell Hall?" Mr Rockliff: "I can get that information for you." However, further information has not been forthcoming, with the premier stating today "no further comments" could be made, referring reporters to a statement made in parliament on Thursday. "Every member of parliament is entitled to legal assistance as part of their job," Mr Rockliff said today. On Sunday, Premier Rockliff said he would not be providing any further details. (ABC News) Confirmation of the fees has revived questions around Mr Shelton's perceived conflict of interest regarding state and federal government decisions to award a million dollars in taxpayer funds to build a new hall in Bracknell, near Launceston. Mr Shelton met with the Meander Valley council before the decision was made, receiving their request for state government assistance shortly before $400,000 in taxpayer funding was awarded to the project. Mr Shelton and three other members of his family also sat on Bracknell Hall's committee. Tasmanian Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the premier's answers on Sunday "put a question mark" over his integrity and were a "rubbish answer". "Clearly, what he's trying to do, it seems, is to hide the reason why a Liberal backbencher was paid $15,000 to cover his legal fees of taxpayers' money," Ms Woodruff said. "There's no credible reason for a backbencher who does not perform ministerial duties to have taxpayers paying his legal fees. Dr Woodruff said the government's refusal to clarify the reason for the fees raised questions over the "appropriateness" of other ministerial legal spending. Taxpayers have footed a $300,000 legal bill for Minister Jane Howlett's legal fees, and more than $100,000 for Minister Madeleine Ogilvie. The government has refused to provide details about those cases. University of Tasmania policy analyst Robert Hortle said Mr Shelton's case was "slightly unusual". "In the guidelines that govern this sort of thing in Tasmania, a backbencher's legal fees can be covered if they're acting for a minister or as a spokesperson of the government." Dr Hortle said disclosing information about the use of legal fees could bolster public trust in democracy. "There are opportunities to be more proactive with disclosing this sort of information. "Some things might be currently before courts or before the Integrity Commission, and there might be reasons not to disclose specifics in those instances. The government has been approached for comment. Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesTop-earning Australians make money very differently from typical workersTopic:Budget

Premier backs away from revealing reasons for backbencher's legal costs

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