Bryan Green
Encyclopedia
Bryan Alexander Green is a Tasmania
n 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. Green later was appointed as the chairman of the Tasmanian Road Safety Council. 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 achievements 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 future Premier 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.
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 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 and was represented by Stephen Estcourt
. One of Green's advisers, Guy Nicholson, was also 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.
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.
's resignation as Premier, Green once again became Deputy Premier.
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
n Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
politician and member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly
Tasmanian House of Assembly
The House of Assembly, or Lower House, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of Tasmania in Australia. The other is the Legislative Council or Upper House...
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
Burnie High School
Burnie High School is a public, co-educational, high school, located in Cooee, a suburb of Burnie, Tasmania, Australia.In April 2007, the old, original Burnie High School building located in Burnie itself was gutted by fire. The old school had been built in 1929 and following the fire, many of its...
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. Green later was appointed as the chairman of the Tasmanian Road Safety Council. He was the key negotiator with freight rail company Pacific National
Pacific National
Pacific National is one of Australia's largest private rail freight businesses. Originally a joint venture between Patrick Corporation and Toll Holdings; it is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Asciano Limited following the restructure of Toll Holdings....
, 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 achievements 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 future Premier 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 examined Green's 15 February deal with Tasmanian Compliance Corporation.The suspect deal promised the TCC company, part-owned by two former Labor ministers (John White
John White (Australian politician)
John Charles White was a Tasmanian Labor politician during the years 1986 to 1999. He is the son of Alfred 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 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 and was represented by Stephen Estcourt
Stephen Estcourt
Stephen Estcourt QC was born 20 March 1953 at Hobart, Tasmania. Since 2004 he has maintained barristers chambers in Hobart and Melbourne, dividing his time between the two.- Education :...
. One of Green's advisers, Guy Nicholson, was also charged with conspiracy. TCC director John White
John White (Australian politician)
John Charles White was a Tasmanian Labor politician during the years 1986 to 1999. He is the son of Alfred 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.
Green faced trial in December 2007 which ended in a hung jury
Hung jury
A hung jury or deadlocked jury is a jury that cannot, by the required voting threshold, agree upon a verdict after an extended period of deliberation and is unable to change its votes due to severe differences of opinion.- England and Wales :...
. A 2008 retrial also ended in a hung jury, with the DPP subsequently dropping the charges.
2011
Following David BartlettDavid Bartlett
David John Bartlett is an Australian former politician in the state of Tasmania, serving as the 43rd Premier of Tasmania from May 2008 until January 2011. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly seat of Denison from 2004 to 2011.-Early life:He has been a resident...
's resignation as Premier, Green once again became Deputy Premier.