Bracks Watch

The Age At It Again

It's hard to believe, but the opinion writers in both versions of the Age have come to knock the Bracks government of late. The latest instalment, State cabinet looking old, complacent, by Jason Downling hits home on how Steve Bracks has failed, or lacks the confidence to, promote new blood into the higher levels of Cabinet.

Nine months out from the 2002 state election, the Premier reshuffled his cabinet as a "blueprint" for the future and to "strengthen the Government's focus". He should have done the same this time.

Instead, lame duck ministers who will either retire at the next election or are unlikely to retain their seats in cabinet will be selling policies to the public that they will not be around to implement or be held accountable for. The Premier has sacrificed renewal and accountability for an image of stability. As one senior Labor strategist observed last week, "we don't want the public thinking about change".
[...]
If anything, there has been a concentration of responsibilities in about six senior ministers, despite the cabinet expanding from 18 to 20 - a concern for a Premier looking towards a third term.
[...]
Does the Premier not believe any of his less burdened ministers were up for the task? Is the reluctance to introduce new blood into the cabinet a sign he has little confidence in his 15 parliamentary secretaries or his 51 backbenchers? How deep does this Government really bat?

Voters will have to wait until after the next state election to find out. Steve Bracks will be forced to make ministerial changes if he wins in November.

Labels: Media Commentary

posted by Michael @ 3:25 PM