Comments on “Gillard vows to work with NSW”, see NEWS – Politics & IR – comments 28/03/2011, http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/PM-Gillard-pledges-to-work-with-OFarrell-FD26W?OpenDocument&src=hp1
Gillard may be right to believe "the people of NSW know the difference between state issues and federal issues."
But it is also true that sometimes both state and federal issues can get together in a state election.
Unfortunately for Gillard, her announcement of the carbon tax plan during the NSW state election campaign just made the issues of the two levels of government combined by the heightened concerns over costs of living and taxpayer's reluctance to see more taxes.
It was appalling for her to do that. It worsens Labor's internal divisions. It showed Gillard's weakness in leadership and political judgement.
She should learn from it to avoid more policy blunders.
If she refuses to learn from it, her numbers as prime minister may be further diminished.
To the NSW rail transport issue, Gillard should allow the policy priority of the O'Farrell government to change to the different link in Sydney's North West, even though the health deal and education issues may be different beasts altogether. The election outcome gives a clear endorsement for the NSW coalition government's policy package.
Showing posts with label NSW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NSW. Show all posts
2010-03-26
Stronger independent institutions needed to improve governance
Comments on ABC report “Keneally, O'Farrell accentuate the positive during debate”, 26/03/2010, http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/26/2856993.htm?section=justin
I share one point by Mr O'Farrell, namely, the government should not make changes to its election promises that easily.
NSW, as for Australia as well, needs stronger institutions to minimise the detrimental impacts of short term focus by political parties for short term political gains at the expense of the taxpayers, the State and the country.
Stronger institutions mainly comprised of public services and politically independent private sector representatives should formulate long term strategies and plans that are good and will be good for the taxpayers and are not affected by short terms political opportunists, irrespective whichever side of politics is in government.
Those strategies and plans should be published and updated, independent of the government, and are always available to compare with what government's policies and plans. In that way, taxpayers will have more information and are equipped with independent advices to scrutinise government policies and priorities.
That will be better and good for the State and the country.
I share one point by Mr O'Farrell, namely, the government should not make changes to its election promises that easily.
NSW, as for Australia as well, needs stronger institutions to minimise the detrimental impacts of short term focus by political parties for short term political gains at the expense of the taxpayers, the State and the country.
Stronger institutions mainly comprised of public services and politically independent private sector representatives should formulate long term strategies and plans that are good and will be good for the taxpayers and are not affected by short terms political opportunists, irrespective whichever side of politics is in government.
Those strategies and plans should be published and updated, independent of the government, and are always available to compare with what government's policies and plans. In that way, taxpayers will have more information and are equipped with independent advices to scrutinise government policies and priorities.
That will be better and good for the State and the country.
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