In 1989, Tasmanian media magnate Edmund Rouse, Chairman of forestry enterprise Gunns, attempted to bribe Cox with $110,000 to cross the floor of parliament in an attempt to prevent Labor forming government in alliance with the five Green Independents, and attempting to secure the return of the pro-logging Liberal Party government of Robin Gray.
In 1989, Edmund Rouse, a prominent Tasmanian businessman and chairman of Gunns, tried to bribe politician Cox with $110,000 to switch parties and prevent Labor from forming a coalition with Green Independents and reinstate the Liberal Party government led by Robin Gray.