Morris Iemma and Michael Costa had one grand idea for the state; and it has claimed them. The electricity sell off will forever be their failed legacy.

It seems that whenever a government is in financial difficulty the only solution considered is to sell everything.

During the last great financial crisis John ‘Jack’ Lang was smart enough and courageous enough to fight for a plan to beat the great depression. His plan was to spend money to make money and therefore kick-start the economy met stiff opposition. Lang like Iemma wasn’t supported, it also cost him the top job; but unlike Iemma it was a long term plan with vision and probably would have worked.

So where are the Jack Lang’s of today; where is the vision for the state?

This is the world that confronts our new man Nathan Rees. Will he have the necessary vision?

His appointment could itself signify the sad state of NSW politics. Rumours of party room machinations suggest that Rees was actually put forward by a ‘Central Unity’ faction devoid of talent.

The story goes Iemma’s Central Unity couldn’t find a viable alternative within their own ranks, so they chose the cleanest of clean skins from the left. Hoping that Rees would fall on his sword, sometime in the next couple of years, when ‘Unity’ would mount a leadership challenge and retake the top job before the next election.

I know it’s just a rumour, but is this what we have to choose from in this state?  And what makes it worse is that it’s still doubtful whether the Liberals can win even against such a fractured rabble.

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A missed opportunity

Professor Ross Garnaut gave the Federal Opposition a free kick this week. They didn’t take it.

It would be very easy for both sides to justify any policy recommended by Garnaut, especially one with a get out of jail free card.

Garnaut put forward  the idea of cutting only 5% in emissions by 2020 and 10% if the world can come to a concessus on climate change. Considering that policies on both sides set a target of somewhere between 20-60% the strategists have missed the boat here.

A smarter opposition leader would have immediately accepted the plan, siting Garnaut’s expertise. The pressure on the government would be immense. The government would have to legitimise the opposition by backing their plan or look strong on the environment and go one better. Either way the government would be behind the eight ball, making policy on the run.

Instead we have a Mexican stand-off both sides not willing to commit to anything until a green, white, pink, carbon? paper comes. We have a government that won’t do anything until 2010 and an opposition that will oppose everything until 2012.

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