At first glance, Julia Gillard's appointment of John Fahey to head up the Queensland recovery " reconstruction directorate " looks like a good idea.
John Fahey is an ex-premier of New South Wales and is the present member for the Southern Highlands - and he is a member of the Liberal party. He is well respected and has a good track record of solid achievement.
These seem just the credentials to negate any misgivings the public may have that reconstruction in Queensland will take a similar course to the disastrous home insulation affair - or the rorting and waste of money involved in the school building plan that accompanied the " education revolution ".
It will all depend on what ground rules apply when the Queensland reconstruction gets under way - and what power Fahey is invested with to reverse dodgy decisions.
The prime minister is clearly using a member of her opposition to provide a shield against claims of negligence and poor judgement. It will be in Fahey's hands to carefully scrutinise the work plans - and speak out at the first signs of political interference - or lack of oversight on spending.
This is a boomerang that could come back and hit the prime minister behind the ear. If the plan devised by her party is not up to the job then John Fahey should clearly identify the deficiencies - and if they are uncorrected - resign from his position and put the spotlight on the problem - before the money is wasted.
Having appointed a neutral game warden - it is now up to the prime minister to set the rules to keep poachers from raiding the huge sum of money needed to restore a state to prosperity.
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