New details in sacking row
Premier releases texts to Cricket boss
PREMIER Will Hodgman has continued to deny any role in the sacking of an outspoken critic as he released text messages he sent to arrange a meeting with her boss.
Angela Williamson was sacked as government relations manager at Cricket Tasmania after posting a series of tweets highly critical of the Liberals’ policy on abortion.
She has lodged a wrongful dismissal claim in the Federal Court. In it, she alleges the Premier “was lying” when he disavowed any involvement in her dismissal.
Mr Hodgman’s office yesterday released two text messages between the Premier and Cricket Tasmania chief executive Nick Cummins. On June 16, Mr Hodgman texted Mr Cummins: “Hi Nick, just back from Liberal National Conference in Sydney. Angela has been in touch via text and has apologised. I’ll send you [Health Minister] Michael’s [Ferguson’s] number. Once we [get] through the budget session it would be great to catch up. Cheers, Will.”
Ms Williamson was sacked on June 29.
On July 2, Mr Hodgman texted Mr Cummins again: “Thanks for letting me know, Nick. Will look forward to catching up once through a busy budget session.”
Mr Hodgman has repeatedly insisted that no one from the government sought Ms Williamson’s dismissal.
Yesterday he said: “As I’ve said, as Nick Cummins has said, as the text messages that I’m happy to release and will release show, nothing was done by us to influence their decision.”
Asked at a press conference yesterday when he had met with Mr Cummins, the Premier said he could not say — but was adamant Ms Williamson was not discussed.
“I’d need to check … it is not unusual for me to meet with senior executives from bodies such as Cricket Tasmania or Cricket Australia, but at no time did I seek to influence their decision or pressure or to complain or do anything with respect to Ms Williamson’s employment,” he said.
A spokesman later said Mr Hodgman had not met with Mr Cummins since the text messages were sent.
Labor leader Rebecca White said Labor continued to have concerns about the government’s involvement in Ms Williamson’s sacking.