Jeremy Rockliff's leadership has been undermined by the Liberal Party State Director Peter Coulson.
On Wednesday, Mr Rockliff ordered an investigation into neo-fascist group leader and Liberal Party member, Jarrod Boys. But rather than undertaking an investigation as directed by Mr Rockliff, Liberal State Director Peter Coulson declared the matter closed less than 24 hours later.
UTAS Lecturer Kaz Ross has presented evidence that Mr Boys had an active Proud Boys Tasmanian President Telegram account as recently as Tuesday this week. Mr Boys' claims to have disbanded the group in 2020 is not believable.
There is also evidence of Mr Boys actively recruiting for the Proud Boys in 2021, after the US insurrection attempt. His claim that he did not know what the Proud Boys was is also not believable.
Not only have Minister Jaensch and disgraced former member Adam Brooks been found to have endorsed Mr Boys in the past, but it is now evident that Braddon MP Felix Ellis has also supported the Tasmanian President of the Proud Boys' attempt at elected office.
As the evidence of Mr Boys' deep links with the Liberal Party grow by the day, Premier Rockliff cannot be so weak as to allow his call for an investigation to be overridden by his Party's State Director.
Premier Rockliff needs to stand up to his State Director and reassure Tasmanians he won't allow his Party's links to neo-fascist groups to be swept under the carpet.
These questions must be answered:
- When did Mr Boys leave the Liberal Party?
- Was Liberal Party leadership aware that he was the President of the Proud Boys while he was a member? If so, what did they do about it?
- Was Mr Boys ever employed or paid by the Liberal Party or by the Liberal Government?
Dean Winter MP
Leader of Opposition Business
