The poisoned chalice !

The public have every right to be mystified when a state premier - just fifty-two years old and seemingly at the height of a successful stewardship - suddenly gives the all too familiar " I want to spend more time with my family " excuse - and suddenly quits.
On the surface, Victorian premier Stephen Bracks has the world before him. Recently given another term in office with a hefty majority his state seems to be in good economic shape - and yet many will hark back to the experience of neighbouring state - New South Wales.
About two years ago there was a similar happening. Premier Bob Carr shocked the voters by suddenly handing in his crown - and quietly slipping into a new role with " the millionaire factory ".
The state then got a second surprise when Morris Iemma unexpectedly got handed the job - and many could be excused for thinking he got handed a poisoned chalice.
The state looked in good shape when Carr left, but it didn't take long for the land mines to start exploding under Iemma's feet.
First was the cross city tunnel fiasco. Then came the public anger at street closures designed to force drivers to use that tunnel and pay an exorbitant toll.
The housing market collapsed - and Iemma had to sacrifice stamp duty and land tax revenue to head off a disaster - and who can forget the ongoing catastrophe that is New South Wales rail.
Iemma has handled it well, but it is obvious that Carr realised what was heading down the pipeline - and decided to quite the scene before his reputation was shredded.
Many people in Victoria can be excused if they are looking into the crystal ball and wondering just what disasters Bracks has seen coming. One that might be a blip on the horizon is the state of the power supply. Could it be that this summer will see rolling blackouts in the southern state ? Or could there be bad news coming from the water crisis in the Murray/Darling system ?
It just doesn't seem to be human nature for a successful politician to pull the plug
when his family have passed the " little kids " stage. Children aged 20 - 17 and 13 are on the cusp of growing up.
Time will be the deciding factor in writing the history books on Brack's reign - but many can be excused for having misgivings !