Congratulations to former NSW deputy premier John Barilaro for finally working out what was obvious the moment news of his appointment to a New York trade post was snuck out with the garbage on a Friday two weeks ago — that it was utterly untenable and only going to do harm to the NSW government.
Just how much harm wasn’t apparent at the time. It turned out to be a lot, for a government that is struggling to fight off Chris Minns and a Labor opposition that appears to have found its feet, if not a shred of credible policy, after a decade in the wilderness.
But Dominic Perrottet’s bigger problems are internal. He was clearly badly briefed about the appointment and proceeded to mislead people by claiming no suitable candidate had been found and there was no ministerial involvement. Both were untrue. What else isn’t the premier being told, or is being misinformed about? What steps is his office taking to make sure he’s not left dangling like that again?
And central to the whole issue — why did no one twig that this was politically toxic? Or did Perrottet, having learnt Barilaro wanted the job, decide that he couldn’t possibly interfere in the sanctity of a Public Service appointment, no matter what grief it might send his way? It would be an unusual political leader who took such a passive view. The sensible response was to make clear to Barilaro that he shouldn’t be in the business of pursuing $487,000-a-year gigs that he himself had created.
Perrottet and Treasurer Matt Kean have worked hard to turn the issue of the age of this government — 12 years next year — into one of rejuvenation and fresh ideas. Policy innovation and big-brush reform have returned to Macquarie St. But Barilaro was always a reminder of a previous era, one of pork-barrelling and political cynicism, even before he become the cover photo in the 2022 Jobs For Mates calendar.
Perrottet has had strong moments as premier. He stood up for the NSW ICAC against Scott Morrison’s disgusting attacks, and has vowed to end pork-barrelling. He was upfront about the government’s huge failings on the northern NSW floods and apologised to residents, repeatedly visiting the area. He has worked as treasurer and premier with Kean to deliver strong action on renewables. He was right to allow Kean to go hard with what could be the government’s last budget, rather than adopt caution. But there’s a sense of a political tin ear and a tendency to stare at oncoming political events like a rabbit in headlights, rather than getting on the front foot. He played catch-up all along with the Barilaro appointment, and never got close to shutting it down.
Unlike the Morrison government, the NSW coalition government has a substantial record of achievement and reform and is continuing to deliver. But it faces being kicked out all the same. The past two weeks have been a great demonstration of how to guarantee that happens.
Barilaro’s explanation for not taking this so-called job is revealing. He says his position was “not tenable” because of “the amount of media attention this appointment has gained”. So he’s not sorry about the fraud on the tax-payers and does not think the corrupt way it was handled is any reason for backing down, but he does regret being found out and all the hoo-ha that’s generated.
Keane says Perrottet “… was clearly badly briefed about the appointment…” Well, yes, but how much effort did Perrottet make to ensure he was badly briefed? Given he could hardly be unaware after all these years of what a reckless parasitical grub Barilaro is generally, and how difficult it would be to keep Barilaro on a short leash, was he looking for plausible deniability by keeping himself as ignorant as possible of anything cooked up by Barilaro? If that was Perrottet’s cunning plan it compares with anything devised by Baldrick back in the day.
Seems like Friendly Jordies was right!
He knew it was dodgy. Gutless to blame his advisors.
This fiasco follows the usual pattern. First stonewall – “nothing to see here”. The a few partial “facts” – when they fall apart start backing away. Then capitulate without taking anyone taking responsibility.
Perrottet’s government May have a few things right, but he has the Workers Comp restructure and rail holding entity disasters on his record as well which have damaged his credibility before this. Still he blithely carries on.
… To the plaudits of elements of the winner-picking media.
I think Perrottet has a touch of Morrison about him.
Sure he is a lot better than Morrison but that bar was set very low – subterranean in fact.
I feel, like his predecessor, he has been given far too easy a ride and maybe now more people are starting to see through the charade.
After all he has quite a lot of form and a lot of baggage to carry including; icare, handing out millions (tax payers I might add) for our Gladys’s boyfriend, shutting down the rail network, on going union disputes with teachers, nurses and transport workers.
And have we forgotten last December when he went all macho and decided to “let it rip” and abandon all Covid logic.
We all know how that went don’t we!
How many died because of that arrogance and gross negligence?
This ” rabbit in the headlights” might look a lot better in the rearview mirror.
I’m sure, given all the talk about how we need to pay for talent, that John Barilaro will have no problems finding a $487,000p.a. job in the private sector that doesn’t rely on his political connections.
I bet he leaves this job offer off his CV
… Bloody hell. That’s a lot of doors.