The Premier, David Bartlett, today rejected Opposition party assertions that he had misled Parliament.

“Will Hodgman is being disingenuous by selectively quoting from Hansard.

“He knows full well that the quotes he refers to from Hansard are related to the formal advice I received from the Solicitor General and correspondence from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

 "As I have stated many times, my motivation for reappointing Richard McCreadie was for the continued stability of the police service.

"I believed Tasmania Police would be best served by experienced leadership through challenging times.

"I am pleased to say Acting Commissioner Hine has provided the stable and strong leadership for Tasmania Police that I was looking for at the time.”

Mr Bartlett said his intention to reappoint Mr McCreadie as Acting Police Commissioner more than 12 months ago was made for the right reasons.

"Mr McCreadie had been Tasmania's Police Commissioner for 12 years and had led the most successful police service in Australia.

"He was a highly decorated officer, well regarded across the country and he received an Order of Australia for his services to the Tasmanian community.

"That was the basis of my intention to appoint him in a temporary capacity.

"It was following advice from the Solicitor General that I decided not to proceed with my intention to reappoint Mr McCreadie.”