In — Credibility … Out — Madden (ill-advised)
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There has been a lot of talk recently about ministerial responsibility. In the end, it seems to be a fluid concept that depends on how much public pressure is applied to remove a Minister rather than on any kind of philosophical template. Which is why Peter Garrett didn’t lose his job, but lost his power and his reputation. But there is a Minister in Australia whose idea of ministerial responsibility is so slack that it’s extraordinary he still holds his job — Victoria’s Planning Minister Justin Madden — whose media adviser’s private strategy document was mistakenly leaked to the ABC last week. In it, the hack advised how the Victorian government could halt a big development in central Melbourne while using a sham consultation process to justify the move:
However you cut it, the accidental release from Madden’s office has exposed the cynical, manipulative nature of ministerial politics in a way that should see the boss of that office — the Minister — given the boot. If he isn’t, the Victorian Government is sending a clear message to the electorate about its idea of business as usual. |
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7 Comments
Justin Madden’s arcane equivocation over the leaked strategy to manoeuvre the planning process in relation to the Windsor hotel redevelopment in Victoria is straight out of “Yes Minister” This strategy document, prepared by a junior PR person in his department, in all probability reflect the duplicitous and fundamentlly questionablest activity being undertaken on an ongoing basis by the Minister.
The offending junior staffer has not been sacked. On this basis she could publicly state the basis for her actions in preparing the document. Instead she has been shifted sideways where her mouth can be kept shut. If ever we needed justification for ICAC in Victoria this is it. Junior spin doctors do not make these strategies up by themselves, they do so in consultation with senior ministerial advisers. There should be an immediate Parliamentary enquiry into this whole rotten mess, with officers of Madden’s Department required to give evidence under oath.
This embarrassing disclosure is just the “tip of the iceberg”. The PR managers/spin doctors/ministerial advisers are a taxpayer funded “skunk works” using public funds solely for the purpose of political advantage for their Minister. This means ordinary taxpayers are paying for their political dirty tricks. This so-called junior adviser must have been up to her armpits in what can only be described as appalling political manipulation of ministerial responsibilities, and instead of being sacked she has been transferred to an area where she can be kept silent. If she had been sacked there would be dozens if not hundreds of so-called public servants, (but in essence publically funded political party hacks), whose job security would be threatened if they had to actually work as public servants and not as political propagandists. Blood on the ground would have a serious effect on their willingness to continue with this misdirection of taxpayer funds for political advantage.
While I don’t disagree with the essence of either the editorial or Greg Angelo’s comment, politics is by its very nature a cynical exercise in Australia as in the rest of the world, for at least decades or centuries if not forever.
Many other careers are likewise. Advertising is cynicism with a slick haircut. A lot of banking or finance roles are so cynical as to be fundamentally immoral. Used car dealers are so cynical they’re a stereotype.
In a world where politics is as much about branding and perception as policy and decisions, of course it’s going to look ugly when the process is revealed. But we the voting public have allowed this to happen by rewarding slick advertising campaigns with our votes. It would be far preferable to have a better system, but I think that would require living in a West Wing tv fantasy.
What does seem to have been lost in this is that the spinner in question does appear to have been trying to promote public comment on a development to justify a decision she believes will have public support. Too often, developments are approved which are unpopular, and voters are irritated that their opposition to them has been overlooked. On this basis, although the text is pretty ugly, it seems to support Maddern doing his job as a Minster who’s trying to support the community and not force it into accepting developments at any cost.
Why the condemnation of Peter Garrett. What exactly did he do wrong? As far as I can see the scheme was a good one as aquick fix for unskilled labour with climate change benefits. The results were OK and much better than any previous private schemes.
What he and the government do not deserve benefit from is their very lax reaction to the climate change catstrophe that looms upon us. As the largest per capita generators of greenhouse gas and the driest inhabited contunent in the world it is absurd that we do not lead the way in measures to deal with this threat. If you want to beat Peter Garrett beat him with that.
Keith Bedford
Haha, a journalist crapping about politicians’ credibility - gold!
Or funnier yet, political PR-peoples’ credibility, ROFL.
Well exactly Scottyea. I didn’t mention journalists in my comment but if I’m talking about the cynicism of advertising execs, bankers and used car salesmen then journos and PR hacks deserve a mention in the same category any day.
Development plan for the old tram shed site at 12-20 Nicholson Street East Coburg
You may be interested to know that VicUrban are planning to construct a high density residential/retail development on the old tram shed site between Moreland Road and Moore Street, East Coburg. The planning minister, Mr. Justin Madden, has exercised a ‘power of intervention’ for this development. As local residents, this proposal raised several concerns:
There has not been, and will not be, any community consultation.
· The development will be up to 9 storeys high.
· This development is to be high density, consisting of 199 dwellings/retail.
· The development will have a major impact on local amenities (car parking/traffic) as there are only 133 car parks provided.
If you are concerned about the size of this development and the lack of consultation and are interested in joining an email list to be kept up-to-date with what we can do about getting the proposal amended, please email: ecoburgactiongroup@gmail.com
If you would like to voice your concerns, please email or phone the following people:
Justin Madden – Minister for Planning and Minister for the Respect Agenda
Email: justin.madden@parliament.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9637-8087
Kelvin Thomson – Federal Member for Wills
Email: Kelvin.Thomson.MP@aph.gov.au
Phone: 9350 5777
Carlo Carli – Member for Brunswick
Email: carlo.carli@parliament.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9384 1241
This proposed development sets a dangerous precedent – on a site the size of 6 standard house blocks, over 16 units are planned for each block. No thought has been given to car parking, traffic management or rubbish disposal. Join us in our campaign to achieve community consultation and planning amendments before before another high density housing estate is built in our suburb
East Coburg Action Group