State Government

NAILED: NSW Government hammered

In Sydney, today’s Daily Telegraph leader dripped in vitriol. Naturally, we loved the tone, although it’s difficult to agree the NSW government and its Treasurer Eric Roozendaal ought not be doing whatever it takes to protect the state’s AAA credit rating.

Even words like gimcrack got a run, brain-dead hillbilly cousins, Callous irresponsible deceit, Rees was called a “nice bloke” while others were described variously as “a human hologram”, “the most hated man in state politics” etc. Tim Blair’s fingerprints are surely on the piece.

As much fun as a good takedown can be, the lesson in politics for those governing in tough time is make tough decisions now or be crucified later, even if just in Opposition years later.

As Labor in Victoria discovered under Cain/Kirner, that credit rating is a pretty important political symbol, aside from the implications for the costs of borrowing, losing it can have a devastating impact. Kennett was able to trade on that for many years, and justifiably so.

Interesting that Piers Akerman was in Melbourne for the demolition of the Labor government in the early 90s. He’ll be in Sydney for the demolition ball job on these blokes too. He must be loving it.

Any doubt how much of an open season has been declared on the government was removed by the usually very Labor friendly Ray Hadley on 2GB who went troppo today, even calling NSW Premier Rees “absolutely corrupt – because you haven’t got a clue” and other bon mots.

We don’t think much of Rees but his self-control was commendable.

It’s going to a tough few years.

“Would they be better off handing the keys to Bernie O’Farrell and letting John Robertson take over from Opposition?” one Sussex Street operative mused this evening.

© 2008 VEXNEWS 2010©.