The Tasmanian opposition is demanding personal apologies from two Liberal ministers accused of groaning in state parliament in response to a question asked on behalf of a victim-survivor of child sexual abuse.
A number of government MPs could be heard groaning in the background earlier this month as Labor leader Rebecca White asked a question while quoting Tiffany Skeggs, a victim-survivor of paedophile nurse James Geoffrey Griffin.
Premier Peter Gutwein subsequently issued an apology on behalf of the government, and Education Minister Roger Jaensch later personally apologised for his conduct.
On Tuesday, in the first sitting day since the incident, Ms White accused Attorney-General Elise Archer and Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson of making the offending noises.
Ms White said they had caused "deep offence", not just to Ms Skeggs, but to many other victim-survivors too.
Ms Archer said Ms White's accusations were "appalling".
"The Premier has unreservedly apologised without explanation or excuse to the parliament on the Thursday of the last sitting week," Ms Archer said.
"The Premier's apology was very genuine, and was made on behalf of all government members.
Mr Ferguson reiterated Ms Archer's comments, stating that Mr Gutwein had already unreservedly apologised.
Neither Ms Archer nor Ms Ferguson made additional personal apologies.
Ms White then asked Mr Gutwein to force them to apologise, saying they had exhibited "unconscionable conduct".
"After hearing the groans from your ministers, the brave victim-survivor I asked the question on behalf of, Ms Skeggs, said that she was completely disgusted," Ms White said.
"She said, and I quote, 'I expect a meaningful apology from each individual that responded in the way that they did.'"
Mr Gutwein said his apology on behalf of the government was sincere, and that it still stood.
He accused Ms White of playing politics with the issue.
'Anything less than an apology tarnishes government'
The opposition attempted to debate an urgent motion condemning the actions of those who groaned, and calling on all government members to apologise for the incident.
Ms White said "anything less than an apology is offensive and tarnishes this government in a way that will be forever remembered by the victim-survivors who have witnessed this behaviour".
The push received support from Greens leader Cassy O'Connor, who subsequently moved to censure the two ministers.
The government ultimately used its numbers to prevent the motions from moving forward.
Mr Gutwein said his initial apology covered every minister and member of his government.
"I speak on behalf of the government, and I have provided that apology two weeks ago, I have followed that up by reaching out to Ms Skeggs, and I will do so again when I meet with Ms Skeggs in coming weeks," he said.
Greens MP Rosalie Woodruff and independent Kristie Johnston were absent due to COVID-19-related issues.
