Well, as John Lennon once said: “And so this is Christmas” – and it’s been some year in Australian politics. The new federal government has done well in foreign affairs and defence, to date (especially in the South Pacific), but in recent weeks has put some measures in place in a hasty manner which could come back to bite them . (Helpful hint, Albo and Co.: the best way to ease energy problems and drop prices is to release more gas into the market, with priority going to Australia, not overseas consumers first.)
Locally, it was good to see the Liberal Opposition come out with a policy to stop Stage Two of the tram. I have railed against this project for some time now. There seems to be no business case for it, and it has been draining money from more essential areas like the hospital (worst emergency waiting times for the fifth year in a row now); police (lowest number of police per head of population in Australia); and schools (teacher shortages, declining standards, and increased violence). The $3 billion saved from the tram would help turn this quickly around.
Few people want to see Stage Two proceed, and so it’s a good call by the Opposition, but they need to prosecute it with vigour between now and the election. They need to make their case, and keep making it. They need to make several other announcements that differentiate them from the Green/Labor government. Governing the Territory is largely about the efficient delivery of local services. People want their hospitals and schools to run properly, they want an urban environment that is cared for, and they want their concerns listened to and acted upon.
Elizabeth Lee and her team are getting some traction now, and need to aggressively keep up the pressure in the media. That’s easier said than done, but even a somewhat biased media can’t ignore a story totally if it’s newsworthy enough.
She has some good natural media performers in her team, too, and I’m quite impressed with the lively Leanne Castley (health), the effervescent Mark Parton (housing and transport), and the experienced and professional Jeremy Hanson. The rest seem to be hardworking members, if not quite so visible in terms of media hits.
If Canberra voters are concerned about ideology – well, they’ve come to the wrong place – that’s much more relevant federally. There is not much ideology in rates, potholes, rubbish collection, or even in delivering a good, functioning hospital system. It will be 23 years of Labor/Green government in 2024. It’s about time there was a change, and there is nothing scary about Elizabeth Lee. Another four years of Messrs Barr, Rattenbury, Steele, and Gentleman is somewhat scary, but if people put them back in, they have only themselves to blame, and it’s no use whingeing after the event. As an old acquaintance of mine once said in 1972: “It’s time.”
Merry Christmas to you all.
Editor’s note: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Canberra Daily.
