Bryan Green

Bryan Alexander Green (born 30 June 1957, Wollongong) is a Tasmanian Labor politician and member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly in the electorate of Braddon. In July 2006 he was forced to step down as Deputy Premier and Minister for Economic Development and Resources pending an enquiry into deal made with the TCC. (See "TCC Scandal", below)

Green attended Burnie High School and Burnie Technical College. He was elected to the parliament at the 1998 election and re-elected at the 2002 election.

Green was appointed to the Ministerial portfolio of Primary Industries, Water and Environment in 2002. Following a reshuffle precipitated by the resignation of Premier Jim Bacon due to ill-health, Green was promoted to Minister of Infrastructure, Energy and Resources in 2004.

In his role as Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Green was responsible for obtaining Parliamentary support for construction of the Meander Dam, a major water project that was opposed by conservationists. As Transport Minister he proposed lowering the states speed limits on rural roads from 100 km/h to 90 km/h, a proposition that was met with somewhat of a backlash. He was the key negotiator with freight rail company Pacific National, which in September 2005 threatened to 'pull out' of intermodal operations in the State, forcing all containerised and coal rail freight onto the road. While Green initially showed little sign of weakness stating 'Tasmania will not be held at mercy to profitable companies' he later backed down and agreed to a $120 million rescue package ($80 million funded by the Australian federal government) to the company.

Other political acheivements included restructuring Tasmania's four port companies into a single entity, supporting a wide ranging review into public passenger transport services, and increasing transparency in the forestry sector through changes to Freedom of Information laws and supporting the role of the Forest Practices Authority. There was previously speculation, mostly by the opposition, that Green has strong leadership ambitions to become a futurePremier of Tasmania.

Green was re-elected at the 2006 election, receiving 24.4% of first preferences, an increase compared to his previous vote of 17.0% at the 2002 election.

TCC Scandal

On 14 July 2006 Green resigned from all leadership and frontbench positions following an enquiry by Auditor-General Mike Blake. The enquiry will examine Mr Green's 15 February deal with Tasmanian Compliance Corporation. [ [http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,19812382-2702,00.html News report on TCC scandal] ]

The suspect deal promised the TCC company, part-owned by two former Labor ministers (John White and Glen Milliner), a three-year exclusive business monopoly from the Government or $2.5 million compensation.

The resignation was sought by Premier Paul Lennon, who called in the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide whether Mr Green broke the law in signing the secret deal. Mr Lennon made the decision after discussions with the Solicitor-General, Bill Bale, who advised that the DPP should consider whether the deal breached the criminal code. The offence carries a jail term of up to 21 years.

On 25 October 2006, Green appeared in court in relation to this matter, charged with conspiracy and attempting to interfere with an executive officer. One of Green's advisers, Guy Nicholson, was charged with conspiracy. TCC director John White was originally charged on both counts. All conspiracy charges were later dropped by the DPP. White pleaded guilty to the charge of attempting to interfere with an executive officer, however no conviction was recorded. [" [http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200610/1772908.htm?tasmania Former Tas ministers face court on conspiracy charges] ", "ABC News", October 25, 2006.]

Mr Green faced trial in December 2007 which ended in a hung jury. A 2008 retrial also ended in a hung jury, with the DPP subsequently dropping the charges. [ [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/13/2118404.htm?site=tasmania Green to face retrial] , "ABC News", December 13, 2007]

References

External links

* [http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/history/tasparl/green715.htm Tasmanian parliamentary profile]
* [http://www.bryangreenmha.com/ Personal website]
* [http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/ha/ISGreenBryan.htm Bryan Green's maiden speech to parliament]