Tasmanian Liberal Jane Howlett defends contested statutory declaration amid election probe

During a parliamentary inquiry into caretaker conventions, former Tasmanian racing minister Jane Howlett defended a statutory declaration submitted on behalf of ex-chief of staff Luke Gaetani, despite Labor leader Dean Winter pointing out discrepancies with newly disclosed emails. The inquiry focused on Tasracing's messaging that praised the Liberal party's TasInsure policy during the last election, which Gaetani allegedly did not know would be released.

Tasracing communications consultant Nic Turner produced messages titled "message to industry" that contradicted the declaration. Additionally, former staffer Sharee Minnikin-Smith testified that she was instructed to conduct campaign work for Howlett while employed as a taxpayer-funded adviser, prompting a second investigation by state service head Kathrine Morgan-Wicks. Howlett asserted she had no knowledge of any misuse of public resources and that any volunteer work was party-driven. The hearing also noted that a Facebook post Howlett shared about Tasracing's statement remained online despite claims it had been removed.