The day after tomorrow

Nostradamus

Those who live to the North of the DMZ between Ross and Oatlands will be outraged at the diminution of their strength in Parliament. However, people like me who have left the Labor Party after 30 years or more because of disillusionment with the chicanery that has gone on in this State especially since the Rouse affair probably have the same level of confidence in the new team as Terry Martin. Looking at the list of wannabe delegates for the State Conference, it is dispiriting to see the same old faces, lining up yet again, year in, year out, knowing they will be elected on the grounds of who they once were and not because they have a vision of the future.

“The King is dead, long live the king” was the cry on Monday but it did not take Tasmania’s state parliament long at its first session with young pup David Bartlett as Premier for him to be described as “Lennon Lite.” His first run on ABC-TV’s Lateline on Monday night, 26 May displayed his youthfulness but a demonstrable gift for evasion in the face of direct questioning from the usually persistent host Tony Jones.

Jones tried to back him into a corner on the subject of the so-called ethics committee, proposed by former Premier Lemon, which Mr. Bartlett apparently feels will be adequate for the job. Not unexpectedly, the first Question Time in Parliament degenerated into an exchange of sharp volleys across the floor.

Both Opposition parties want nothing less than an ICAC – a body with teeth – and presumably, the capacity to probe past dealings. Under normal circumstances, inquiries into the activities of previous administrations are usually ruled out. However, the Rudd federal Labor government is re-opening the can of worms known as the AWB affair and it will undoubtedly probe into dark corners where the previous government’s enquiry failed to shine any light. It is to be hoped that pressure is maintained for an ICAC-like body, but some of the ‘nervous Nellies’ in the ranks of the ALP fear the use of the word “corruption” let alone admit the possibility of its existence.

The former Premier denied corruption in the State in any form. This shows how far out of touch he and his followers were and are, insulated from reality in coward’s castle. Every state needs an independent body to investigate and if appropriate make recommendations to punish those who have slipped outside the law. At the same time, Mr Bartlett would do well to introduce legislation to protect whistleblowers. Too many honest people have seen malpractice and kept quiet after seeing the opprobrium and worse heaped on those who speak out.

It is imperative that in a state that is presently so fragmented politically that a measure of trust is restored between the electorate and its so-called representatives. Look at the body language emanating from those who sit behind the “dream team.” There is more than a degree of antipathy in the air. Rumour has it that Mr Lennon’s Sunday night visitors told him it was time to go but that’s just a rumour. Another whisper that Graeme Sturges should be brought into the Ministry appears to have been more safely grounded. Why not Brenton Best?

Those who live to the North of the DMZ between Ross and Oatlands will be outraged at the diminution of their strength in Parliament. However, people like me who have left the Labor Party after 30 years or more because of disillusionment with the chicanery that has gone on in this State especially since the Rouse affair probably have the same level of confidence in the new team as Terry Martin. Looking at the list of wannabe delegates for the State Conference, it is dispiriting to see the same old faces, lining up yet again, year in, year out, knowing they will be elected on the grounds of who they once were and not because they have a vision of the future.

I would greatly enjoy being vested with the power to enter State Conference and utter the same words as another great reformer: “You have sat here too long for any good you have been doing. Depart, I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go! “