Politicians wield the sword - and they die by the sword ! Politics is often described as similar to a game of "Snakes and Ladders ". Some people step on a ladder - and gain instant elevation. Others tread on a snake - and slide to oblivion.
So it was - in both Federal and state politics !
The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister are engaged in a tactical war for the top job. Both have their supporters, and this week the Prime Minister used her hold on power to banish those behind Kevin Rudd - and bolster her firepower by elevating Bill Shorten, Tanya Plibersek and Mark Butler to cabinet positions.
Firm, positive action will probably still rumblings from the backbench, but her real problem is the coalition with the Greens. To maintain their voting support she has to go along with policies that do not have the support of the general public - and what she really needs is policy changes to get the voting public onside.
This uncertainty is like a time bomb ticking away. Unless she can improve her approval rating with the public fairly quickly the backbench panic will become a stampede. Some political observers seem to think that the middle of next year will be make or break time.
This cabinet reshuffle is a bold move, but unless it results in a better public image for both the Prime Minister and her party, it will do little more than rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic !
At the same time there is drama in state politics. The March change of government in New South Wales has brought the sword of Damocles hanging over the head of former Lands minister, Tony Kelly. He may face corruption charges over a land deal made in the dying days of the old Labor regime.
It is hard not to find sympathy for a politician in his position at that time.
There was a plan to buy a waterfront property owned by the Labor party's bedmate - the unions - and the then state Premier suddenly called an election and took the government into caretaker mode - before the deal was legally sealed.
All the polls showed Labor heading for a crushing defeat. If the Liberals won office, this $ 12,2 million "Currawong " deal would not proceed - and it might be many decades before Labor again won office.
Kelly is accused of back dating a letter to before caretaker mode to legitimise the transaction - and if proved - this could be his undoing.
The present Labor leader in this state is obviously keen to distance himself and the party from this matter - and Tony Kelly looks likely to have his party membership withdrawn.
It seems that this is the way of life when we select politics as a career !
No comments:
Post a Comment