Last minute peace deal stops dismissal debate

Monday 20 January 2014

Chief Minister Ian Gorst has pulled his dismissal motion against Environment Minister Rob Duhamel at the last minute.

The two have struck a deal to keep working together after Deputy Duhamel apologised for the breaches that led Senator Gorst to seek his removal from office, and Senator Gorst “expressed regret” about the way that their dispute had escalated. There had been speculation in the last few days that the Chief Minister did not have enough votes lined up to unseat the Environment Minister, and that tomorrow's debate was going to be messy and divisive.

A joint statement by the two ministers stated: “Following a constructive dialogue between Senator Ian Gorst and Deputy Rob Duhamel, the Chief Minister has decided to withdraw the proposition seeking the dismissal of the Planning and Environment Minister.

“Deputy Duhamel has apologised for not disclosing information to the Chief Minister and for not clarifying the background to meeting a potential applicant without officers being present.

“He has confirmed that the relevant protocols will be followed strictly in future regarding meetings with existing and potential planning applicants.

“The Chief Minister has accepted these assurances and has expressed his regret regarding the recent escalation of events which led to the decision of the majority of the Council of Ministers to support the proposition for dismissal.

In the original dismissal proposition lodged a fortnight ago, Senator Gorst had written: "We can no longer work with a Minister who has failed to be honest, straightforward and open with fellow Ministers or with this Assembly."

He had published a 39-page document highlighting four incidents – the Co-op application at Charing Cross, the JEC substation application in town, the review of the Island Plan and disposal of asbestos – where Senator Gorst said the Environment Minister had displayed a lack of judgement and transparency.