Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that Mr Hodgman must take a stance following reports published today that the Liberal State Director, Jonathan Hawkes, has refused to rule out future campaigns attacking the Greens’ policies on human rights for transgender and intersex people.

“Even the Exclusive Brethren have publicly apologised for their actions, and Mr Hodgman should not only follow suit, but guarantee that this kind of hate campaign will not occur under his leadership,” Mr McKim said.

“Both Labor and the Liberals must commit to running clean and honest election campaigns this time around, and the Greens are calling for a commitment from both Mr Hodgman and Mr Bartlett that they will not be part of any other smear and fear campaigns or attempts to target minority groups in the community for cheap political gain.”

Mr McKim said that the Greens would not be changing any policies to protect against any similar hate campaigns in the future.

“We are proud of our policies. They are based on values like respect and compassion, which are shared by the overwhelming majority of Tasmanians.”

A joint statement issued yesterday by Ms Martine Delaney and the Liberal Party (Tasmanian Division) details that the then State Director discussed anti-Green strategies with the Exclusive Brethren, and then assisted the Exclusive Brethren in creating adverts, checking their legality and provided assistance in having them placed in the State’s three newspapers.

NICK McKIM, MR: Commitment to Clean & Honest Election Campaign Needed
The Tasmanian Greens today (Sat)repeated their call for a public apology from the Liberal Leader Will Hodgman for his party’s involvement in the Exclusive Brethren ‘hate ads’ run during the 2006 state election campaign, and a commitment that the Liberals will not target minorities within the community for self-serving political gain in future campaigns.