RTI documents show that Guy Barnett mislead a Parliamentary hearing on at least eight occasions this year over a grant to the New Norfolk Distillery.
During a hearing on June 6, 2023 Mr Barnett stated he and his office had nothing to do with the grant.
He was lying.
The RTI documents show Minister Barnett’s office, on behalf of Minister Barnett, wrote to then State Growth Minister Roger Jeansch on December 15, 2021. That email states; “Please note the attached letter from New Norfolk Distillery regarding a grant application. On behalf of Minister Barnett, may I request positive consideration of their grant application for their project at Willow Court.”
The only difference between what Guy Barnett did and what Adam Brooks did was that Adam Brooks only lied three times.
The Ministerial Code of Conduct requires that Mr Barnett now resign. If he does not, Premier Jeremy Rockliff should sack him.
As if the issue doesn’t smell enough, it’s on the public record that two members of the grant applicant’s family were also working in Minister Barnett’s office.
Mr Barnett is already facing a privileges committee.
Dean Winter MP
Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly
