Tasmania needs a clear result
From: The Australian
February 13, 2010 12:00AM
A hung parliament would not be a good election outcome
EVEN before the Tasmanian election campaign swings into full gear, the prospect of a hung parliament, with the Greens holding the balance of power, is looming large under the island state’s Hare-Clark electoral system. Such an outcome would not serve the state’s best interests at a time when firm, decisive leadership is needed to strengthen its economic base.
Labor’s David Bartlett, who has been Premier since May 2008, has shown he is a more competent leader and economic manager than most of his hapless predecessors. Although hampered by plenty of dead wood in his parliamentary team, he has steered the state’s budget into a sound position. When the global financial crisis caused government revenue to collapse last year, Mr Bartlett abandoned plans for a new Hobart hospital and take harsh but necessary budget measures. His plan to strengthen the economy by creating a food bowl for the nation shows ambition and vision. After being the nation’s economic basketcase for too long, Tasmania achieved a milestone last August when it recorded the lowest unemployment rate of any state — 4.8 per cent, well below the then 5.9 per cent national rate. Tasmanian unemployment is now 5.2 per cent, just below the national average.
The Liberal opposition, led by Will Hodgman, have been performing well in opinion polls and are promising a fresh start. If they are to persuade the large pool of undecided voters to give them a go, however, they must present themselves as a compelling alternative to Labor, with a strong vision and the skills to deliver. After 12 years of Labor, they will be assisted by a definite “it’s time” factor. Over that period, Tasmanians have had to put up with too many political scandals. In 2008, the credibility of Labor under then-premier Paul Lennon was in tatters after the resignation of his deputy, Steve Kons, for misleading parliament. Two years earlier, Mr Kons had replaced another deputy premier, Bryan Green, who resigned over a government business monopoly. Little wonder Mr Bartlett is presenting himself as a new broom. To his credit, in 20 months he has delivered such important reforms as an Integrity Commission with teeth and stronger Freedom of Information and whistleblower laws. But Labor has given Mr Hodgman ammunition, including a rail crisis that brought freight to a standstill and forced a government bailout, another minister forced out after nepotism claims and loss of jobs in manufacturing.
A significant issue in the campaign will be one of Labor’s centrepieces, a major, pragmatic overhaul of post-Year 10 schooling that would stream students into either polytechnics to prepare for apprenticeships and trades or to academies to prepare for university. Mr Hodgman is siding with teachers who want the plan wound back. But in a state with a poor record of school retention and literacy standards, it appears a constructive move.
This election on March 20 will spark a great deal of interest in mainland Australia, especially Canberra. In 2007, Tasmania became a stronghold for Kevin Rudd, with Labor winning all five House of Representatives seats. Months from the federal poll, the Prime Minister and Tony Abbott will be eager to gauge whether sentiment has shifted. Whether Tasmanians stick with Labor or opt for change, we hope the result is decisive — neither major party would govern effectively without a working majority.
Hagnote: The question is: Is this The Template for The Mercury Election Editorial?
