Catallaxy Files

It’s going to be a long year. So far it looks like the Liberals will run on law and order. Okay. Law and order is a problem; the number of Indian-bashings is a big problem and the police chief doesn’t seem to be taking the problem seriously, nor has the government. But you’d think the liberals might also want to mention Myki and public transport and the need to an independent anti-corruption commission and an inquiry into why Melbourne is running out of water and so on. Maybe we’re still going to hear about those issues.

But I’m just wondering what the state government is going to run on. Based on the weekend by-election it looks like they’re going to run on the Kennett government legacy. I got a flyer today reminding me that the local hospital got shut down by Kennett in 1996. So it did. But Brumby, and before him Bracks, has had ten years to re-open that hospital. Before that I got a flyer telling that opposition leader Ted Baillieu’s real estate agency sold a local school in the late 1990s. What an outrage that was. Perhaps; I can’t recall. I do recall, however, the Bracks government promising a road that they then privatised – is that the same as closing a school?

Basically it seems neither side have any ideas or policies – maybe that is a good thing. At this rate they should vote themselves a pay-cut, go home and stop annoying the electorate.

Peter Garrett’s position is untenable. With reports that he was advised a year ago of the risks of electrical misadventure on the installation of aluminium roof insulation, four people have now died from electrocution, others have been injured and an unknown number of homes have dangerous and potentially fatal electrical problems.

Now more taxpayers’ money is going to be spent (I shan’t say wasted as in this instance the audits are necessary given the incompetence in the original installation project) on home safety inspections.

Garrett cannot sing his way out of this hole. He will lose his job, it is now merely a matter of time. He may as well depart early and preserve some of his dignity.

We cannot blame Garrett alone for the extraordinary waste that was the roof insulation program under the stimulus package. That is the Government’s issue and the Prime Minister, Treasurer and Finance Minister must take primary responsibility for that angle. But Garrett was in charge of the implementation of the insulation program and must take full responsibility for the rush that led to the deaths and injuries.

Perhaps he would do well to return to his previous occupation and compose a requiem?

Then the Prime Minister could appoint the Member for Wentworth as Environment Minister.