Other politics
Beyond Berejiklian’s ICAC matters and back to public policy
We should not let our natural sympathy for Gladys Berejiklian distract us from the performance of her government. Her government’s deliberate decision to disregard public health advice (remember that limousine driver?) and to let Covid-19 spread before vaccines were available has had terrible and avoidable consequences, well beyond the borders of New South Wales. Maybe this was simple incompetence, maybe it was a decision influenced by political donations from those who cared more about their cash flows than the safety and prosperity of the community. And, as John Quiggin points out in Inside Story – The twentieth century still has us in its grip – Berejiklian’s government:
… has stood out for its brazen embrace of practices bordering on corruption. Prior to his own surprise resignation, her deputy premier happily referred to himself as John Pork-barrel-aro. Berejiklian defended as normal politics her government’s $250 million Stronger Communities Fund, in which 95 per cent of the grants went to Coalition electorates, mostly on the nomination of the local member.
That is not to sheet the blame personally to Berejiklian. In her dealing with Covid-19 she has had to deal with some strong and opinionated people in the state cabinet, one of whom is now premier. Writing in The Conversation Gregory Melleuish of the University of Wollongong gives a little biographical background on the new premier: Dominic Perrottet is set to become the next premier of NSW. Who is he? Melleuish mentions Dominic Perrottet’s conservative Catholicism: by now most Australians understand that Catholicism is indeed a broad church with many sects, with political moralities ranging across the whole political spectrum from fascism, through liberalism, to communism. By his works we will know him. Of more immediate relevance, as Melleuish explains, is his handling of the state’s (and by extension the nation’s) transition out of lockdown, and there is a danger that out of misunderstanding and mistrust of professional advice, ignorance, or callous indifference, he will relax restrictions far too early. We should not forget that the 70 per cent milestone, reached in New South Wales on Wednesday, refers to only the 16+ population: 44 per cent of the state’s population or 3.6 million people are unvaccinated.
Besides his policy on the transition out of lockdown, many are anxious about Perottet’s commitment to the state’s ambitious but realistic and business-friendly commitment to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030. (Covered in last week’s roundup.) Giles Parkinson, writing in Inside Story, contemplates the likelihood of Perottet’s continued support of the plan, around the theme of electric vehicles: Matt Kean’s electric vehicle diplomacy. Parkinson notes Perottet’s track record on climate change: it’s the usual hard-right line. But he also notes that Perottet and Matt Kean, the architect of the plan, have a good relationship. When Kean was Environment Minister he managed to convince Perottet as Treasurer to commit funds to the plan, and he even convinced Nationals leader John Barilaro of the plan’s merits. Parkinson suggests that Perottet may be persuaded to buy an electric vehicle once there is one able to carry 6 kids. And Kean may remind Perottet that Pope Francis is getting an electric popemobile.
Why the next election is not a two-horse race
Following last week’s election which failed to deliver a majority to either the Christian Democrats or Social Democrats. Germany is in chaos. The Frankfurt Stock market has ceased trading to stem losses. Public servants and the Bundeswehr have been stood down without pay. Der Spiegel’s banner headline is about the chaos and the threat to democracy of the Gehängter Bundestag – a “hung parliament”.
Just kidding. Germany is quietly going about putting together a government, which will be best described as “centrist”, able to handle and reconcile competing interests and come to broad agreement about important issues, particularly climate change. And there is no German term Gehängter Bundestag. The notion of a “hung parliament”, with its implication of indecision and chaos is something we inherited from another country, another era, and another political culture.
Crispin Hull is one of the few Australian journalists who understands the opportunities in an election outcome that does not deliver a winner-take-all outcome: Expect hung Parliaments. Good. He points out that betting sites are now offering only 50-50 odds on our next election delivering majority government, and reminds us of the growing support for “other parties” in elections and opinion polls and the slim parliamentary majorities delivered in recent elections. We can recall that the Gillard Government governed well without a majority.
Bernard Collaery’s modest but important victory for justice
On Wednesday Bernard Collaery, the defence lawyer for “Witness K” (the intelligence officer who exposed Australia’s bugging of Timor-Leste in 2004 during negotiations over gas and oil resources) who himself is charged with disclosing protected intelligence information, had a small win in the ACT court of appeal. Up to now the Commonwealth Attorneys-General, initially Christian Porter and now Michaelia Cash, have used the National Security Information Act as a way to keep the proceedings secret, but the court’s ruling at least partially lifts that restriction.
So far there has been little comment on the case – lawyers don’t rush to print in judgement – but The Guardian’s Christopher Knaus has an informative account of the case: Bernard Collaery hails ‘victory for justice’ as court overturns bid to keep evidence hidden at trial.
There remains the possibility that the Morrison Government will appeal against the ruling. For the Coalition there is much at stake in keeping proceedings secret. The Timor oil and gas deal was one in which the Coalition’s supporters in the oil and gas industry stood to benefit greatly.
Truth gaps
For a few hours last week the world was spared the barrage of terabytes of content from Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. Inconvenient for many, and for some a brief denial of access to fake science, lies and conspiracy theories.
Plan International, an organisation campaigning for the rights of women and girls, has published the results of a survey of 26 000 girls and young women in 26 countries in relation to their use of social media: The truth gap: how misinformation and disinformation online affect the lives, learning and leadership of girls and young women.
There are clear benefits of social media, particularly for those who know how to critically assess what they come across, and for those who want information on topics taboo in their homes and communities. But for many there are downsides – those who are exposed to “a whole world of false information, misogyny and stereotyping. It can mean wading through half-truths, prejudice and downright lies, to unearth the undoubtedly useful and truthful factual information and interesting opinions”.
Among the false information and disinformation (the report makes a distinction) to which young women are exposed, much relates to vaccination against Covid-19 – how vaccination can override contraception, how it can cause sterility, how it can have terrible effects on foetuses, and how it can have other adverse health effects. The deception goes beyond sexuality and reproduction, and beyond vaccination, into the unrealistic world of the “wellness” industry.
Lest anyone see this as a “left” issue, in an interview with Barnaby Joyce on ABC Breakfast on Thursday morning, which was mainly about the demand by some Nationals that the Commonwealth provide a $250 billion loan guarantee for the struggling and impoverished mining sector, Joyce has some sensible comments about social media and its influence on young people. (That’s almost 6 minutes into the 10-minute interview if you want to skip over the inanity of National Party economics.)