In any normally functioning administration, the political career of NSW Minister for Education, Industrial Relations and the Central Coast John Della Bosca would now be cactus.
But, hey, welcome to the weird, wild and wonderful world of NSW politics under Premier Morris “Mr Dilemma” Iemma.
Iemma can’t sack Della Bosca because he doesn’t have the political clout to do it. “Della” is the government’s last remaining political heavyweight, the party’s general secretary from 1990 to 1999 and the critical link man between Cabinet and Unions NSW.
And right now, “Della” is holding Iemma’s fate in his hands because he has played the key role in keeping alive negotiations between the Cabinet, the ALP organization and the unions on the planned privatization of the State’s electricity.
He has played the “good guy” to “bad guy” Michael Costa, the Treasurer and fellow upper house MP.
To sack the Industrial Relations Minister in the midst of the power sell-off diplomacy would probably trigger a backbench revolt and end any remaining hope of the enabling legislation being passed.
So the government seems set to stumble along with an Education Minister who recently shouted at a Daily Telegraph reporter and photographer to “Get a real job, you f….g c….s”; a minister in charge of the Motor Accidents Authority who is about to lose his licence after seven speeding offences; and an Industrial Relations Minister who, along with his wife Belinda Neal, shouted and threatened staff at the Iguana’s waterfront restaurant at Gosford last Friday night. (So much for the ALP’s screaming about the unfairness of John Howard’s Work Choices!)
The two NSW MPs — Neal is the federal MP for Robertson on the central coast — whose combined salaries and allowances amount to almost half a million dollars, have denied the staff claims.
How different it was for two other Iemma Government ministers. Cessnock MP Kerry Hickey was sacked as local government minister in November 2006 after admitting just four speeding offences while Carl Scully was axed as police minister for misleading parliament which is almost a commonplace at question time with this government.
As Education Minister, Della Bosca is now in charge of imposing a 2.5 per cent wage increase on teachers and jailing parents who allow their children to become repeated truants; as Industrial Relations Minister, he will be stiff-arming all public sector unions to accept Costa’s below inflation wage limit; and as Central Coast Minister he has responsibility for building the economic and social well being of the area, which probably covers such issues as supporting the planned expansion of Iguana’s which is situated on Crown land and co-owned by family friend Ray Awadallah.
Coalition Leader Barry O’Farrell has called for an inquiry headed by a judicial figure to investigate the conflicting accounts of what happened at the Night at the Iguana’s. There is a precedent. In 1994, under intense media pressure from then Opposition leader Bob Carr, premier John Fahey appointed respected femocrat Carmel Niland as a commissioner to investigate the circumstances of the resignation of Justice Minister Terry Griffiths.
Both Fahey’s approach and her report met the standards of governance of the day. But this is 2008 and NSW is in another political dimension.
This mess is part of a bigger picture. We no longer have standards of behavious in government at any level or by any party which ensure that Menbers’ behaviour is appropriate. The previous Prime Minister lied repeatedly and with apparent impunity – at least for the first 10 years in that office. This is not the only State government which is at loggerheads with its electors – ask an average Tasmanian what he/she thinks of the recently departed Premier.
Unfortunately, NSW at present seems to be at the top of the heap for the prevalence in government ranks of self centred, opportunistic, uncivilised pigs at the trough.
My hope is that Iemma and Della Bosca rip each other’s throats out (metaphorically, of course) and make way for two others, hopefully two with respect for the electors, the party members and the State of NSW.
Greed, self aggranisement, crude rudeness – we can get that anywhere. Where do we find thinking, honest and community minded representatives, now that the Democrats have fallen apart?
Don Chip, the electorate really appreciate your phrase “Keeping the b_stards honest”; it worked for over a decade, until party factionalism destroyed the things of value in the Democrats, which has been promptly consigned to the dust bin.
Where do we find politicians worth our respect?
It is all so sad.
Night of the Iguanas – you couldn’t beat it for a book title – pity it’s already taken. Less conspiracy theory, please Miranda. Let’s apply Occams Razor. The 6 waiters are, reasonably enough, together when they make the decision to make stat decs. They look up the address of a JP – most MPs electoral offices have one, and it probably was the closest. The manager changed his story, so I wouldn’t be adding him as a credible witness. Waiters that are smug and possibly rude? It happens. Best thing to do is vote with your dollars and feet, and not go there again.
One last comment:I;ve worked in enough restaurants to know 6 waiters could not possibly in one place at the same to witness events . If they were-they’d be sacked for incompetance. Now a silly lass has come forward from an opposing team. Never seen so much hogwash including newspapers deliberatly choosing unflattering photos of Belinda Neal. What a disgrace the whole matter has been and shows again what women face in politics.
Oh come off it John-what a remarkable co-incidence that the JP who witnessed the affidavits just happens to be a Liberal Party worker !. Iguanas only has to release a copy of the Della Bosca’s dinner and alcohol order if these waiters are so certain of what they say. As the 4 companions with Della Bosca and Neal have agreed with their version-plus the manager also has apologised it looks like 5 to 4 now in favour of the Della Boscas !. What a compete balls-up of a political attack that’s beginning to back-fire. Reminds me of the greak Burke/Kevin Rudd lunch scandal that blew up in John Howard’s face and claimed one of his own ministers. Just another pathetic News Ltd beat-up with Malcolm Farr today publishing a very seedy tale and Brendan Nelson desperately displaying he’s no gentleman. How about a “judicial inquiry” into Glen Milne’s leap onto the stage at the Walkleys ?. What is it – Silly Season ?
Wait a minute, Miranda. If I’d been threatened with the sack, and that my place of employment would be shut down by two of the most powerful people in the state, I’d want something on record too. Even if the staff was unionised, what chance would they have? Perhaps Mr Della Bosca needs to contact his own departments anti – bulling information http://www.schools.nsw.edu.au/studentsupport/studentwellbeing/anti-bullyingpolicy.php .