Tasmanian premier links minister's court action to Integrity Commission

Madeleine Ogilvie resigned from cabinet amid allegations she had misled Tasmanian Parliament over her Supreme Court action. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)

Chief commissioner Robert Hay KC told ABC Radio Hobart today that he was required to maintain confidentiality about integrity investigations.

The premier says: "If you listen to that interview, you may well appreciate the circumstances that I find myself in."

Ms Ogilvie resigned from cabinet amid allegations she had misled parliament over her Supreme Court action.

Government ministers spent last week's budget estimates hearings stonewalling questions on the matter, with the premier finally offering a fuller explanation this week.

At a press conference this afternoon, Mr Rockliff was asked about why that had not come sooner.

Journalist: The explanation you gave yesterday was very thorough. Why didn't we get that earlier? Why did we go through all of the estimates hearings where no-one could answer?

Premier: I'm well aware of my legal responsibilities when it comes to certain matters. I believe a representative from the Integrity Commission was on ABC radio yesterday and if you listen to that interview, you may well appreciate the circumstances that I find myself in. And so, an abundance of caution given the matters that are possibly being canvassed.

Ms Ogilvie's resignation and legal revelations have reignited speculation about which government MPs may be the focus of two long-running Integrity Commission investigations.

Robert Hay KC, the chief commissioner of the Integrity Commission, appeared on 936 ABC Hobart yesterday, and pointed to confidentiality restrictions when asked who the subject of the watchdog's investigations was.

Mr Hay also referred to a 2024 statement by former chief commissioner Greg Melick.

"[Mr Melick] said [MPs have] got to be afforded fairness to the subject of investigations and not being found guilty of any misconduct," Mr Hay said.

Ms Ogilvie resigned from cabinet on May 30, two days after admitting she had initiated Supreme Court action, the details of which she has still not revealed.

It started with a seemingly innocuous question. Over the course of several months, Madeleine Ogilvie had many opportunities to provide clarification, but didn't until last week. Then the end came quickly.

The former Science and Environment Minister told a budget estimates hearing in November she was not subject or party to any Supreme Court action.

A clarification she offered, also in November, omitted her action, only saying she was not the subject of action started by someone el