In the press conference following the Governor’s decision to recommission him as Premier David Bartlett correctly referred to the need to develop trust as a prerequisite for success of the next parliament.
Trust, “across the political divides”, has surely been a commodity in short supply in Tasmania. Many will believe that Mr Bartlett’s actions in the leadup to the Governor’s announcement will do nothing to enhance the building of trust. Certainly Mr Hodgman has some reason to feel disinclined to feel trustful of Mr Bartlett at the moment.
My hope is that trust will develop in line with Mr Bartlett’s vow to be “a different Premier” and with Mr Mc Kim’s encouragement and statesmanship.
Mistrust develops when there is a distance between people and groups of people. When that social distance diminishes people are more likely to conceive of others not as “them” rather as “us”.
Just as there is as high a level of mistrust of politicians by Tasmanian people, so also is it the situation between politicians of different political parties.
The mistrust of politicians is fostered by the widespread belief that unhealthy relationships exist between politicians, political parties and certain favored industries and businesses. Gunns Limited and Federal Hotels are most frequently cited in this regard.
What is created is a pervasive sense in the community of inequality; ” One rule for them and another for us”. Inequality and distrust go hand in hand and the relationship is known to be causal.
Does lack of trust matter?
Yes it does!
There is a body of social research that indicates that trust leads to co-operation and other good things.
People who trust are more likely to donate time and money to helping other people and to believe in shared values. They are more likely to be supportive of law and order.
Trust affects the wellbeing of individuals as well as the wellbeing of civic society. Convincing studies in the USA indicate that people who trust live longer.
Signs of a distrustful society include gated communities, high gun ownership, and inability of political parties to co-operate to the extent of providing the stable and effective government that can respond to the challenges faced by their citizens and their country.
It is surely an “awesome responsibility”, that which is faced by the incoming parliament, to commence restoring trust and stability.
It is one which will not proceed by words alone.
