Gutwein can. It's that simpleBy JASON LOVELLAt a time when the Tasmanian Government is reduced to a seemingly neverending parade of stumble, bumble, nepotism and fiasco, Rene Hidding appears determined to make them look good ... as usual. His performance during the Butler controversy has been far below satisfactory; instead of converting rampant Tasmanian Government hubris into political gain, Rene gave them a lifeline by clumsily (accidently?) making a constitutional crisis out of the fiasco over Butler's manners. Political scientist Peter Boyce pointed out Premier Paul Lennon's loss of moral authority over the Butler payout on ABC's Stateline recently, hinting at the rewards now available for the party that seizes the moral high ground. But Hidding lacks that ability in spades, having expended every last drop on mistakes such as guns for 12 year-olds, support for divisive ALP policies and the public thrashing of Peter Gutwein for daring to exhibit his own moral compassion via a conscience vote. It's my understanding that conscience votes are specifically allowed for in the Liberal Party constitution; in my opinion, punishing a Liberal MP for attempting to exercise a conscience vote over a child abuse issue is therefore unconscionable. Jim Bacon's unfortunate demise followed by Paul Lennon's baton dropping antics have miraculously rescued the Liberals from Bob Cheek's wilderness, but instead of taking advantage of the sunshine Hidding's clumsiness threatens to take the Libs straight back to irrelevancy. While he does have talent, it's time Hidding accepted his weakness as the leader and stepped aside. In politics as in life, perception is reality and the cruel truth is that Rene is a terrible public speaker who fails to instill any confidence in the listener. This may be a minor problem for your run-of-the-mill MP (or deputy premier), but it's a fatal flaw in the leader. Anyone seeking proof need look no further than Bob Cheek, another decent parliamentarian who failed abjectly at the leadership game due in no small part to his appalling public speaking skills. As for moral compassion, well, there is one Tasmanian Liberal MP who possesses it in abundance. Peter Gutwein took on his own party and accepted his subsequent demotion, with considerable grace I might add, over a decision to support a widening of the inquiry into abuse of children in state care. Unlike his Liberal and Labor peers, who played politics with this Bill before rejecting it, Gutwein refused to toe the line when faced with a choice between career prospects and compassionate behaviour. He crossed the floor to vote with his heart proving that he has one, only to suffer a savage career-kicking by Hidding. Oh the irony of that situation, the party's best performer banished by the worst. Yet, despite his leader's efforts, Gutwein remains by far the best prospect to lead the Libs to victory over the morally challenged post-Bacon Labor Government. Hidding's role in the Tasmanian Liberal Party sans the leadership is an interesting prospect. This may surprise, but I think Rene's performance as a parliamentarian suggests there is a place in the house for him, just not as leader. Like Cheek, he's not a bad parliamentarian and he generally outperforms the union savs on the other side when it comes to committee responsibilities and behind the scenes legwork. A graceful sidestep from the leadership would see Rene's profile boosted as much if not more than the party itself. And a more moderate leader at the helm makes Rene the best candidate to steer a progressive Liberal forest policy through a forest industry dominated by ALP supporters such as Robin Gray. It's not about increasing the Liberal vote with that lot, it's about getting the message through to the workers and their families before the industry driven doom-gloom-apocalypse scenarios spark yet more fear and loathing in our community. It would be a very difficult assignment, but history would remember success fondly. Hidding revealed some steel during his Lords Of The Forest interview - he'll need that steel and more for this onerous task, but I reckon he's the best MP for the job. The current Tasmanian Government will need to spend the rest of this term dealing with fallout from the combination of decaying service delivery, flagrant profligacy, gubernatorial payout fibs and massive pork barrelling via sporting facilities, leaving it ripe for the picking by an effective opposition. It seems obvious (to me anyway) that the Libs now have the best potential leadership team in Gutwein and Hodgman Jnr, the best potential Treasurer in Whiteley and the best potential forests minister in Hidding. Opportunity usually knocks but once - hopefully the Liberal Party can recognise this and do what they need to do to capitalise. The party which holds the moral high ground at the next election will win government. Hidding can't lead them there. Gutwein can. It's that simple. The writer known as Jason Lovell is a former student of Herr, Kirkpatrick and Felmingham. He now works as a contractor to the Tasmanian Government and several Government Business Enterprises and lives on 20 acres in the Derwent Valley.
RAPID RESPONSE EMAIL: What do you think? Wednesday, August 25, 2004 |