Tasmanian Premier Won't Investigate Health Email Leak

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff says he will not investigate how an email containing the health-related information of an upper house member was leaked to the media.

Independent MLC Ruth Forrest last Wednesday accused someone within the government of leaking the email which had initially been sent on her behalf to the Premier's department.

The email had requested ministers and officials refrain from wearing strong perfumes and aftershaves to this week's budget estimates hearings.

Ms Forrest, who chairs one of the four estimates committees, said she and others had previously experienced adverse reactions to strong fragrances.

Following the leak on Wednesday she used a speech in the upper house to demand an apology and called for the person responsible to be identified.

"I fear it was intended to minimise and trivialise a genuine health matter as well as to humiliate me," Ms Forrest said at the time.

The following day, she told the Upper House she had heard nothing from the Premier about her concerns.

Premier won't take matter further

Mr Rockliff remained silent on the issue until Tuesday when a question was put to him at an estimates committee chaired by independent MLC Rosemary Armitage.

"Can you advise whether you have investigated the leak?" Ms Armitage asked.

Mr Rockliff said Ms Forrest had not raised the issue with him, and nor was he aware how the email had ended up in the media.

"I do not intend to take the matter further," he said.

"I note that Ms Forrest's desire was to have her request distributed."

Mr Rockliff also suggested Ms Forrest could consider raising the issue with a complaints body.

"There is a mechanism for the Independent Complaints Commissioner, of which we are working through that establishment now, of which that would be the place that Ms Forrest may well want to take that concern."

Independent MLC Meg Webb questioned the merits of the premier's suggestion.

"There isn't a complaints commissioner in place."

Ms Webb also questioned Mr Rockliff's assertion that Ms Forrest had wanted her request "distributed".

"Ms Forrest didn't want her email distributed far and wide," Ms Webb said.

"She wanted the request made in it put to and put forward as [a] policy request to people appearing here.

"Are you suggesting that she wanted her email sent far and wide?"

Mr Rockliff replied: "I understand the email said it was for distribution, for people's knowledge."

"I can't think of the exact words of the email and I've no idea how it got to the media," he said.

Funding for complaints commissioner 'appropriate'

In this month's budget the government allocated $50,000 per year for the establishment of an Independent Complaints Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.

Despite concerns previously raised by Ms Forrest that the funding would be insufficient, Mr Rockliff stood by the allocation.

"It won't be a full-time position, I would imagine, and so I believe the $50,000 initial investment is appropriate," he said in response to a question.

"Now, if there is more need for further resources … of course, we'll consider that at the next budget."