The political shenanigans that have been prevalent in Tasmanian politics prior to and since the last State election have led me to ponder the notions of political integrity and good governance. Does our current crop of state politicians have either the integrity or the ability govern in the best interests of all Tasmanians?
I look at the way The Greens have been handling and commenting on the sale of the Triabunna Woodchip Mill, and I have started to wonder what has become of the meek? In years past, it was the likes of the H.E.C. Gunns Ltd or Forestry Tasmania that would use it’s might through either the ALP or The Liberals to browbeat The Greens on various issues. It seems that The Greens are relishing the role of “school bully” now that the tables have turned. The ultimate indignity has been the appointment of one time Wilderness Society Executive, Alec Marr, as General Manager of the Triabunna Mill. It is obviously not The Greens who placed Mr. Marr in this position; however it is The Greens who have shown the upmost glee that this has occurred. “Whilst no doubt this news will come as a shock to the people of Triabunna, in time Triabunna can, like Strahan, revitalise and broaden its economic base,” Mr McKim said. The appointment of Mr. Marr is akin to placing Dracula in charge of the blood bank, on the reasoning that Dracula has a deep understanding of how to extract blood from people!
The Greens have always stated their intent on stopping the felling of native forests, but their support of the public vote in Tasmania is little more than 21 percent (first preference votes 2010 House of Assembly Election, source: Tasmanian Electoral Commission), certainly not a mandate. This fact seems not to deter them from imposing their ideals upon the Tasmanian population, and their compliant partners, The State ALP, seem terrified to lift a finger to stop them! It appears that The Greens are quite prepared to be vengeful to those that have opposed them in the past. Vengeance can be a sweet mistress or a treacherous ally; the Tasmanian population may appreciate what has happened in the preceding decades between The Greens and certain corporations and organisations, and give a certain amount of leniency toward such vengeful acts, but this degree of leniency will only stretch so far. Good governance requires (I feel) a certain degree of empathy to all sections of the community, whether you agree with them or not. Sure, The Greens have the upper hand at present, but, as history has shown us, this may not always be the case. Will their opponents be as forgiving as they may have been considering what is now eventuating?
What of their governmental partners, The State Labor Party? Any self respecting businessperson would understand that during times of prosperity there needs to be provisions made when an economic downturn does, and will, hit. To run continual budget deficits whilst enjoying the economic ‘sunshine’ is tantamount to economic suicide. If we look at the financial perils happening in EU countries such as Greece, Ireland, Portugal and Italy we can see what may occur here. Putting it bluntly, the government is as near to broke as it can be. You would think that the fat would be stripped off the budget to ensure the books would at least breaks even? The budget forecast for 2011-12 is a $113.8 million deficit (source: 2011-12 Budget), a larger deficit than in the previous two years! Is this responsible economic management? The Labor Party then remained amazingly quiet while their Green partners took the brunt of public abuse over school closures. The uproar over school closures certainly deflected focus away from other cuts to the health and policing/emergency services sectors.
It seems that The State ALP is a lame duck. They are loath to upset their “coalition” partners, The Greens, for fear it may trigger another election (an election that may see the ALP decimated). When Jim Bacon was at the helm, the State ALP had an air of integrity. Though Mr. Bacon could be heavy handed in the way he did some deals, it was mostly an open affair that the public could at least see what was happening. The State ALP lost their way after the unfortunate and untimely passing of Mr. Bacon, and their integrity is now in tatters. They are a pale reflection of what they once were; a party that is now bereft of ideas and merely clinging onto power. The next election may send them to the wastelands of obscurity, and give them time to perhaps rebuild, such as when the State Liberals last lost government. Scott Bacon may be the future of the Party; perhaps he will follow in his father’s footsteps and return the State ALP to a party of integrity and relevance?
The Liberals have been through what the State ALP may soon be enduring. The Liberals were almost obliterated two elections ago, and have done plenty of soul searching since (a scenario that my Party, The Australian Democrats, are still going through). The question still remains, however, “Has the Liberal Party learnt from its past mistakes?” I suppose that remains to be seen, but there is one worrying sign that suggests that they may not have. In fact, they might be relying on the other Parties to falter rather than their own Party advancing. In the recent debates, the State Liberals have attacked the government for its actions, but have come up with little in the way of alternatives. Even their alternate budget was merely the ALP/Greens budget with a few revisions. Not really revolutionary, more evolutionary at best? If the Liberals do gain power, will we be subjected to four more years of the same, four more years of secrecy, of backroom deals, of railroading consultative processes, and of disregard to the concerns and livelihoods of large sections of the public?
The next State House of Assembly elections may not occur for some time, but the actions of our politicians today are those that will cement the public’s views about them for tomorrow. Will their pleas for forgiveness come election time bear any meaning to an electorate that may have to endure a long period of social and economic downturn, which has been caused by corruption, greed, vengeance, arrogance, intimidation and ignorance?
All three Parties believe that they serve Tasmanians in their best interests, but can any of them actually repair the divisions within our society through good, responsible, governance?
*** Nicholas Obod is a member of The Australian Democrats and their Tasmanian Division. This article bears the personal opinions of Mr. Obod, and may not necessarily reflect the position and policies of The Australian Democrats. ***
