Bryan Green

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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 Infrastructure, Energy, 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.

He proposed lowering the states speed limits on rural roads from 100 km/h to 90 km/h, a proposition that was met with some what of a backlash. He was the key negotiator with Freight rail company Pacific National which in September 2005 threatened to 'pull out' of the state forcing several thousand trucks onto under developed roads. While Green initially showed little sign of weakness stating 'Tasmania will not be held at mercy to profitable companies' he later backed down and offered a $120 million rescue package ($40 million funded by the Australian federal government) to the company. There is speculation mostly by the opposition that Green has strong leadership ambitions to become next the 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.

[edit] TCC Scandal

On the 14th of 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 February 15 deal with Tasmanian Compliance Corporation.^[1]

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 25th October 2006 Mr Green appeared in court in relation to this matter, charged with conspiracy and attempting to interfere with an executive officer. One of Mr Green's advisers, Guy Nicholson, was charged with conspiracy. TCC director John White was charged on both counts.^[2]

Mr Green faced trial in December 2007 which ended in a hung jury. A retrial is planned for March 2008.^[3]