Highest paid student escapes censure

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2000
Highest paid student escapes censure

By Don Woolford

HOBART, Aug 29 AAP - The Tasmanian Opposition today went for the scalp of the man they
call "Australia's highest paid student", state Attorney-General Peter Patmore.

The move against Dr Patmore, who's also Industrial Relations and Consumer Affairs Minister,
failed on party lines.

According to the Opposition, Dr Patmore's sin was to continue studying for a PhD in
political science while a minister. He was awarded his doctorate during the winter parliamentary
recess.

In demanding his dismissal, Oppositon Leader Sue Napier said Dr Patmore had breached
the government's Code of Conduct, which requires: "All Government members who hold a specific
office must devote the whole of their time and talents to public duties".

Mrs Napier dredged up a letter Dr Patmore, then in opposition, wrote to his local paper
in 1966 defending his studies.

"In government, of course I could not and would not continue with studies, because
as a minister my spare time would be severely limited," he had said then.

She also referred to a graduation interview in which he had said: "It was a huge strain.

If I had known how hard it would be, I wouldn't have done it ... but it was also a sheer
joy".

Mrs Napier said Dr Patmore neglected his $140,000 a year ministerial duties while studying.

His neglect contributed to the disastrous situation at Risdon Prison, which had been
wracked by escapes, assaults and suicides.

"There've been five deaths at Risdon Prison while he's been 'joyfully' studying," she said.

Premier Jim Bacon, after congratulating his minister on his graduation, said the matter
was discussed when the government was formed, his study hadn't affected his performance
and there was no breach of the code.

Dr Patmore did not explain his change of heart since 1966.

But he defended his performance as a minister and thought it strange that Mrs Napier,
as a former Education Minister, should attack someone for furthering their education.

The Opposition could not even persuade Greens MP Peg Putt to support its no-confidence motion.

Ms Putt accused it of trivialising debate, before giving a backhander to Dr Patmore.

"You could have a good debate about what he put in his thesis [on environmental ideology],"

she said. "I'm amazed that the University of Tasmania awarded him a doctorate for it."

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KEYWORD: MINISTER TAS

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