Guy Barnett, Liberal Member for Lyons,
With Tasmanian Labor imploding, Rebecca White needs to demonstrate accountability and take control.
Freshly back into her off-again, on-again leadership role, Ms White has long promised unity, but instead members are jumping from her sinking ship.
Member for Huon, Dr Bastian Seidel, has called out the toxic culture in Labor, stating that his resignation should be a "wake up call for decision makers in the party."*
When asked about what message the party, and by extension Ms White as leader, is sending to women who want to come forward, he said people would be "confused as anybody really, as I don't know what the messaging really is."*
Culture starts with leadership, and Rebecca White is the leader.
Ms White should therefore, assert her authority and order a truly independent mechanism to investigate the allegations surrounding David O'Byrne, particularly in light of information brought forward to the Parliament yesterday by Independent member for Clark, Kristy Johnston.
It is also incumbent on Ms White to tell Tasmanians what else she knew, and when, given she was leader at the time some of these matters allegedly occurred.
It is little wonder Dr Seidel could not rule out that other Labor parliamentary members were considering their positions.
Who is next to leave Ms White's sinking ship?
*ABC mornings, 24th August 2021
