The election of Eric Ripper as leader of the ALP in the Western Australian parliament is a disappointment. The withdrawal of Alannah McTiernan from the contest was even more so. With four years to go, let's hope that Labor can move on from a caretaker situation fairly quickly. You can be sure that the new Liberal/National coalition will not be asleep at the wheel. Their rush to get uranium mining underway is a clear signal that things are in for a much bigger shake up than many expect.
Showing posts with label WA politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WA politics. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Labor marks time in the West
Monday, September 15, 2008
WA: looking after the Kimberley
As a former resident of Broome, I'm wondering what difference the new government will make. The Kimberley was in the process of renewal. If Health and Law and Order are Liberal priorities, they will have to duplicate the newly built Police Station and the "as new" hospital.
It's hard to say, as the opposition had no concrete proposals that I was aware of during 15 months there. For details of what was happening under Alan Carpenter's Labor government, videos of the Kimberley Cabinet earlier this year are instructive.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
How the West was lost: Reprise
Alan Carpenter is a good man. He deserved better.
But it's time to be philosophic. To quote Alan: Yes, I dearly wanted more time, we all did but such is the nature of politics and life. Carpenter stands down as WA Labor leader
My earlier post How the West was lost has my thoughts on what happened.
P.S. Was Brendan Grylls fooling himself as well as those who thought a Labor/National deal was really possible?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Waiting on the West
A revised version of How the West was Lost, my blog post about the Western Australian election results is online at New Matilda. A week is along time in politics, especially for Alan Carpenter and Colin Burnett.
An ALP/National government would be exciting according to Carpenter. For those of us with long memories, scary would be a better word. Anyway I think the Nats will support Barnett after getting the most blood out of the situation. They’re just playing the political game very cleverly.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
How the West was lost
When the Western Australian State government visited Broome earlier this year for a Community Cabinet, all was not rosy but it seemed that Alan Carpenter was over the worst of internal party division and the Liberals were divided and discredited. What went wrong between then and now? This is a view from the east, tempered by 15 months in Broome and 8 years in Northern Territory ALP politics.
Firstly the obvious: the timing of an early election was a major miscalculation. it isn’t clear whether the Premier received bad advice or it was his own idea. There does not seem to have been much political nous amongst either the government advisers or the State ALP apparatchiks. It would have made more sense with Tony Buswell as leader, but trying to pull a swiftie on a retreaded Colin Barnett was courting disaster. He was Mr. clean, all good-humoured innocence fighting the evil manipulators in the government.
Secondly, West Australians seem to like their politicians as colourless and non-threatening as possible. Carpenter is not a typical Australian leader. He is very serious and intense. Moreover, despite his journalism background he seems to relate poorly with the voters, perhaps because of an unlikely shyness. He does not come across as a warm, natural character like Peter Beatty whom some compared him with. Ironically during his Broome visit, I found him a genuine straight talker, to borrow John McCain’s slogan. He has the capacity to make an important contribution to Australian politics but it seems fate might have it otherwise. He has a vision for WA but it is not one that is understood by the public.
The Brian Burke factor was not of Carpenter’s making though he naively ignored it when he took over, to his lasting detriment. His later attempts to clean up the party had considerable success. But this was at the cost of public support which only a Beatty could have retained. This was reinforced by his inability to fully unite the Labor Party behind his leadership.
The old cliché that oppositions don’t win elections, governments lose them had a strange twist. The official opposition in the guise of the Liberal Party had been worse than dismal before the election was called and used the time-honoured tactic of taking no risks during the campaign. However, the real opposition came in the form of West Australian Newspapers whose traditional antipathy to Labor, as evidenced during the 2007 Federal election, had taken the form of a vendetta against the State ALP. The feud between them and Jim McGinty, Heath Minister and Attorney General, far exceeded any other government/media stoush I can remember. Carpenter seemed either unwilling or incapable of negotiating a truce. He paid the price in a State where WAN own the only daily and nearly all of the weekly regional papers.
The State ALP head office must also be held accountable. Last year’s Federal campaign was poorly managed with the West being the only State to go backwards for Labor. Let’s hope that State Secretary Bill Johnston will be more successful as the member for Carrington. I’ll save any other comments for internal party forums.
Finally voters across Australia are angry. It is more than just a climate of change in politics. Voters are hurting and they will not tolerate perceived failure, weakness or arrogance from their politicians. It is not just a case of protest voting. If you’re not delivering or are consumed by internal strife then you'll be punished. The same lesson has been delivered in the Northern Territory, Mayo and Lyne.
Alan Carpenter may yet form a minority government. Let's hope that if he gets another chance to fulfill his potential, it is not wasted.
Friday, September 5, 2008
New State Premier: No not WA
Alan Carpenter must be watching the resignation of Morris Iemma with horror. He must be hoping, against the odds I suspect, that there won't be two new Premiers in Australia. Rees confirmed as new NSW premier. Most Australians will know less about Nathan Rees than the Liberal opposition leader in WA.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Carpenter's Call
WA Election: September 6
They must have waited until I left. A pity because I would have had few misgivings working to elect Alan Carpenter's government. For those who like it straight my Kimberley Community Cabinet video series from April this year may be informative. they can be found under WA Politics or Kimberley. I reckon it captures Carpenter pretty much as he is.
Still enrolled up there. Must fix that and get rid of the Broome plates as well. Never know who might be tempted.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Senior Citizen Journalist
A post written in response to Gary Sauer-Thompson's missing the point of blogs, this morning. He recommends watching the panel discussion at the Microsoft Politics and Technology Day, Canberra 25th June 2008:
If it's worth watching at all, it's to get some idea of how badly misunderstood the independent blogosphere can be, and perhaps how poorly the blogosphere has articulated what it actually does, or can do given the opportunity.
The political blogosphere is much misunderstood. Especially we amateurs. The euphemism is citizen, meaning unpaid and unrecognised. I think I'll put 'Senior Citizen Journalist' on the next census and passport application. There seems to be a lot of forums and discussion about CitJ's (love the jargon) which is fascinating given how few there seem to be in Australia.
Lots of people are blogging, as commentators or conduits for news and commentary. Lots are making satirical video and animation. Except at election time, it's hard to find many who have the time or inclination to undertake traditional news gathering and investigation. Perhaps it is a job for seniors who have the time.
When the WA government held a Community Cabinet in Broome earlier this year I contacted the relevant government office to get some kind of accreditation to find out what was planned and get the press releases. The initial response was that it would set a dangerous precedent. What if every university student with a camrecorder wanted to come to the Perth media briefings. There wouldn't be enough room. I was eventually successful and the fruits such as they were can be found in my video collections on YouTube and TeacherTube.
Recently the ABC Radio's Australia Talks planned a program on Citizen Journalism but replaced it with a more general one on the "Authority of the media". There are useful links on the website and some discussion of citizen journalism.
Used to enjoy Annabel Crabbe's SMH blog but she rarely has more than one post per month these days. A pity. Won't comment on her remarks until I've seen the footage.
Watch this cliché!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
WA Sunday Times: Not ducking but goosed!
The raid on the Western Australian Sunday Times has interstate interest: WA police raid on Sunday Times leaves politicians ducking for cover This is my response to Woolly Days aka Derek Barry of Queensland:
When we moved to WA in January last year I was staggered to learn of both the powers of the CCC Corruption and Crime Commission) and their exercise of those powers: phone taps, bugging, recording of private conversations and surveillance involving people not directly accused of anything. A sort of Star fishing Chamber.
Despite or perhaps because of my long time involvement with the ALP, I would not be surprised if the assertions of dirt on the government's hands were true. However, at this stage it is pure speculation. I suggest that someone ask the CCC to investigate whether the Ministers have abused their powers.
As a Broome ALP sub-branch member I enjoyed Shelley Archer MLC's hospitality at Party functions in her home before her forced resignation and regularly visited her electorate office. I have often joked that my political jokes and anecdotes were being recorded and would be taken out of context, or worse in context.
The public seem happy to watch the squirming of politicians and the legion of urgers and suits (and hats in Brian Burke's case) who inhabit the decision-making lobbies. It is a costly exercise in both financial and civil liberties terms. Lots of unethical behaviour, some bordering on the illegal, has been exposed. I'm not aware of any successful criminal charges.
The media have thrived on the revelations emanating from the CCC's activities but aren't prepared to cop the collateral damage that comes with this heavy handed approach to keeping the bastards honest.
'What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander'.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Broadband for Kimberley Indigenous Communities
As part of the continuing Community Cabinet visit to Broome, Fran Logan, WA Minister for Industry and Enterprise, announced the connection of Broome and the remote Indigenous communities of Ardyaloon, Bidyadanga, Djarindjin and Lombadina to high-speed broadband.
It was hot and windy at the Port where the server is housed. Wish my ADSL broadband was as good as this new service is supposed to be. Downloading video to Youtube and Teachertube has been frustrating, with frequent lost connections and poor quality when it gets there, especially on Youtube.
Once the dust settles I'll review the Community Cabinet.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Questions Without Notice
Community Cabinet in Broome has been a public relations blitz with 20 media events planned for the visit. The local journalists have warmed to the task with an increasing number of questions off the topics of the ministerial announcements.
Opt-out organ donation, health rehabilitation centres, alcohol bans and liquor licensing issues, and doctor shortages are just some of those raised in 'Questions Without Notice'.
Not included from my footage were questions about the Fremantle football club, the West Australian newspaper, and ALP membership rules and pre-selections. Thought they are getting enough coverage in the mass media.
There are still some more ministerial events to come, so watch this space.
Second Magistrate for the Kimberley
Law and order is an expensive business. When announcing a second magistrate for the Kimberley, the WA premier Alan Carpenter explained that the need for a second magistrate in the region is not just a question of geography and population.
We have also put a lot more emphasis on law enforcement in the Kimberley. We have put into place our multi-function police stations. They obviously have an impact, and therefore an impact on the workload of everybody involved in the legal system, not the least of which is the magistrate.
More laws, more police, more judicial staff, more legal aid, and more prisons. And more indigenous people in those prisons. We can only hope that the better schools, medical care and employment opportunities promised will help to break this vicious cycle.
WA Cabinet Meets in Broome
The Western Australian State cabinet meets in Broome as part of its regional community consultations. Local public sector workers rally outside about the cost of living. Diesel is $1.76 per litre and rising, and bananas fetch $3.98 per kilo on a good day.
Monday, April 14, 2008
New pool for Fitzroy Crossing
The previous post explains the context for this video.
For the official media statement, please see: Premier announces swimming pool for Fitzroy Crossing
Was thinking of tagging it "good news indigenous story" but couldn't face the cynics.
Carpenter's Community Cabinet Courts Kimberley
The WA Premier, Alan Carpenter, has announced a new swimming pool for Fitzroy Crossing and funding for a second magistrate for the Kimberley. This comes as part of the State Community Cabinet visit to Broome this week.
$5.4 million has been allocated for the pool's construction and operating costs. The Premier supported a 'no-school no-pool' policy for stuents, arguing that it is an opportunity, "to not only provide the physical health benefit, the social benefit, but to encourage them to go to school." He also indicated that the government aims to employ and train local indigenous people not only in the construction phase but also in ongoing employment.
At Broome Courthouse the Premier and Jim McGinty, the Attorney General, announced that $700,000 will be spent on a second Kimberley region magistrate and two support staff based in Kununurra. There are also plans to open a new Legal Aid office in Kununurra next year. The Premier said that it was not only a matter of geography but that the workload has gone up because of the government's increased law enforcement in the Kimberley.
When questioned about the backlog caused by lack of jurors, Mr McGinty explained that less than 20% of those summoned to jury duty in the region turned up. In response the government will spend $40,000 on a campaign to increase that number.
Further announcements about law and order issues are expected this week. There is no doubt that it is a major issue for the State election later this year. Many people will be looking for comprehensive policies from all parties to lower the crime rate and incarceration rate, particularly for indigenous people. Hopefully the attempts to get bi-partisanship on indigenous issues will disappear in the crime and punishment mood of most State campaigns.
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