Wednesday 27 February 2013

How the Coalition should prepare for government


How the Coalition should prepare for government

"NO Gillard, no Gonski." Hey, sounds like a good deal. We get rid of the government and save $6 billion a year, beautiful. How about an alternative: "no Abbott, no advance". While Labor ministers and Labor members in marginal seats counsel their staff to take on no further personal financial commitments, it is time for everyone else with an interest in government to get thinking again about good government.
The legacy of five years of Labor is how not to govern. The Rudd-Gillard-Swan governments have trashed not only the Labor brand, but also the idea of competent government. While Hawke-Keating was an advance on the Whitlam government, and Howard-Costello an advance on the Fraser government, Rudd-Gillard-Swan is degeneration. It degenerated on three levels: it enhanced the commonwealth tendency to arrogance in relation to the states, it entrenched blind faith in stimulus, and it furthered the notion of government as nanny, sidelining individual responsibility and crowding out charity.
Labor has conspired with a huge and growing "caring cadre" whose role is to exaggerate problems for governments, but most of all carers, to solve. In light of the "expand the need for government" strategy, an Abbott government has some serious thinking to do about the purpose of government.
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In the first instance, Tony Abbott has to be the stable boy to clean up Labor's detritus. Once the ledger is repaired, the carbon and mining taxes and the hate speech sections of the discrimination act repealed, it will be time to start work on the long term. What should the Coalition do to advance Australian interests?
In general terms, an Abbott government must appreciate that every federal government suffers from a major failing - a propensity to buy into every issue. Each minister in the incoming government must learn this phrase: "Previous governments have tried and failed (insert silly idea), we do not intend to waste your money making the same mistakes."
When an animal rights group shows some footage of cattle deaths in Indonesia or Saudi, insist they visit the local slaughterhouse in Australia, and remind the viewer that almost all Australians eat meat and that viewing animal rights through the eyes of an ideologically motivated vegetarian is not the basis on which to set policy.
When the scare stories of super trawlers arise, remind Australians that they love to eat fish and that the least harvested waters are around Australia. Stopping reasonable trawling in Australian waters requires our needs to be satisfied by the catch off the depleted Asian shores to our north.
When scare stories on climate change are aired, remind Australians that there is no hope of lowering the world's dependence on fossil fuels in the intermediate term and that the best course of action is to adapt using the best science. Australia must get beyond the climate change phenomenon. Clarify for the electorate the difference between the science of climate change and feasible responses to risk.
In specific terms, the Abbott government needs to work on three things.
Cede responsibility to the states for programs where the states have the overwhelming role in the delivery of the service: specifically, transport, education and health. The golden rule should be, if the commonwealth does not wish to deliver the service in toto, then leave it to those with the major responsibility.
When the economy slows, as it almost certainly will during the course of the life of the next government, do not announce a stimulus package. Keynes is dead; let him rest. Instead, announce a deregulation package - cut regulations to cut costs. In extremis provide a tax holiday. Lean towards getting out of the way, not barging in.
A huge apparatus now extends from charities to government, including the official statistical gathering bodies of the commonwealth, to create the politics of gloom. Charities should not be funded to enter public policy debate, including producing data that creates the next crisis. Charities are free to lobby and exaggerate on their own time and money, not on the taxpayers'.
How is the opposition preparing for government? Bob Hawke and others such as finance minister and later treasurer Ralph Willis were meticulous. The Abbott team must be the same. An Abbott government should start the way it means to end, as a smaller, though powerful unit. It should consist of a smaller cabinet, and it should administer fewer departments. Abbott will have the authority to pull this off. Currently, there are 21 cabinet ministers, nine ministers, 12 parliamentary secretaries.
On the opposition side, there are 20 shadow cabinet ministers, 12 shadow ministers, 15 shadow parliamentary secretaries. This is not a good start.
Eighteen cabinet ministers and 18 parliamentary secretaries should suffice. There are too many ministries for silly walks: consolidate. Make the government look and feel solid. That would be an advance worth voting for.

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COMMENTS ON THIS STORY

  • annie of Hunter NSW Posted at 12:39 AM February 26, 2013
    You forgot to mention putting the unions firmly back in their place. Their job is to protect workers rights, not to run the country. They should also be made to be completely accountable, up until now they are a law unto themselves. That would also make a vast improvement to this country, they should never be allowed to run a state, or this country again.
    Comment 1 of 103
  • Maddington Jim of Maddington WA Posted at 1:05 AM February 26, 2013
    Gary, if you were leading the Alp with this agenda, I'd vote for you! I hope Abbott has the gumption to do this!
    Comment 2 of 103
  • Jim Planincic of Perth Posted at 1:20 AM February 26, 2013
    This is excellent advice, particularly restoring single responsibility and ownership. If the majority of funding and policy on education, health and transport is at the State level, the Commonwealth must divest itself of co-ownership. This is a recipe for blame games only.
    Comment 3 of 103
  • Janey has Moved Posted at 1:57 AM February 26, 2013
    No, the first thing PM Abbott will have to do is implement his Paid Parental Leave Scheme. That's week one. Next up comes the grants and bits and bobs associated with the Direct Action Plan. By week three, he can break the news to the electorate that their tax-free threshold has been lowered (but that's OK because prices are instantly going to drop when the carbon tax is removed). Week Four will see him stomping out spot fires from the Dries over IR and the promise to keep the Super rise). Weeks 5,6,and 7, he can start the ball rolling on a dozen or so dams, put a few cranes on the horizon and reinstate Whyalla onto the map. Oh, and decommission the ABC (week 8). Go Tony!
    Comment 4 of 103
  • Kim Dower of Brisbane Posted at 2:02 AM February 26, 2013
    Where are you Gary? our country needs you!
    Comment 5 of 103
  • kaysera Posted at 2:06 AM February 26, 2013
    Canberra government is certainly too big. We now have Gillard fighting states over education and health. This is dysfunctional government. The fundamental issue is government is too big. Government is staffed mostly by individuals who are experts in nothing. They have no expertise. Yet we have a government-driven NBN project and, surprise, it is looking more and more like a lemon. What expertise in this government is there in structuring a functional education system? Well none obviously. The individuals who involve themselves in the issue are crying out for a decent education themselves! What makes Gillard or Garrett think they can 'fix' education? Hard to understand. They have no credibility whatsoever. They should leave it to educationalists, to people with a longstanding interest in education, to those with credible qualifications.
    Comment 6 of 103
  • helgab of Perth Posted at 2:11 AM February 26, 2013
    Great article Gary. They will have to be good because they are going to have to make cuts that will hurt lots of people and to keep these people voting for them will be quiet a challenge.
    Comment 7 of 103
  • kaysera Posted at 2:32 AM February 26, 2013
    Government has for too long been involved with our lives way beyond their remit. The Thatcher government saw this. Government has no place running banks, running railways, running anything involving experience and expertise. This government shouldn't be mucking around with hospitals, education, superannuation, or anything involving knowledge. They wade into running these things with preconceived ideas and take 'expert' advice from people of their own choosing who happen to be in line with their ideological bias!! Conroy's qualification in NBN is not in NBN but in politics. He comes to the job as a politician, not as a NBN guru. Peter Garrett comes to education with a background in rock music. Does that mean he is the best qualified to re-work our system of education? Do us a favour please! Government should pull it's head in. It has no expertise in nothing. They come to the table with nothing but expertise in argy-bargy and smart ripostes. That has no worth in real life.
    Comment 8 of 103
  • uncle Posted at 2:56 AM February 26, 2013
    It's all easier said than done. There are a lot of things that can be done almost instantly. Others have to be well planned and prepared for to avoid one disaster replacing another. It will be easier to win the election than to govern without loosing the support of the people who have become accustomed to be patronised by the government.
    Comment 9 of 103
  • David of NSW Posted at 4:09 AM February 26, 2013
    Good advice.
    Comment 10 of 103
  • AE Posted at 5:19 AM February 26, 2013
    Gonski, Schmonski. I'm sick of hearing about it and certainly don't want to pay for it. I went to public school in the 80s and 90s, and managed to get a masters degree and high-income job. These fancy programmes will achieve nothing, except for photo ops with politicians and primary school kids. It's always been the case that kids who work hard and have talent will rise to the top, those that don't won't, same as like adults in work.
    Comment 11 of 103
  • Wayne of Sydney Posted at 5:37 AM February 26, 2013
    How refreshing to hear such common sense from a Labor person. People such as you will be needed to rebuild whatever remains of the Labor Party after the election!
    Comment 12 of 103
  • A Voter Posted at 5:37 AM February 26, 2013
    Great article. My only additions would be for the Government to 'get the hell out of lives', to repair our porous borders, reestablish Australian sovereignity, beef up our military, and strengthen our innate freedoms - especially our freedom of speech. The one other thing that needs to be done is a Royal Commission into corruption within Unions, and also to bring them into line with companies in regards to how they are regulated and establish similar consequences for bad behaviour.
    Comment 13 of 103
  • Papertiger of Mt Martha Posted at 6:43 AM February 26, 2013
    Yes the debate should start on positive ways that will enhance sustainable growth , federal state cooperation and realistic policies that are properly funded. It maybe be a little premature though. Labour is still in with a chance if they get rid of Gillard. The power brokers know this. But hey they have stuck with her when they should have changed back to Rudd. Their judgement is on the line, and they have now lost their chance it seems. It's difficult to understand why they didn't act when they had the opportunity. Even the more liberal press have called for her to resign-Mann and Gratten. What have they been thinking?
    Comment 14 of 103
  • Geoff of Tweed Posted at 6:45 AM February 26, 2013
    Gary, to my mind it is the utter contempt for Australians as owners of this country that has been Gillard's demise. Gillard never got it that she was merely custodian to look after the interest of the country and its financial well being. Not a tricky concept one would have thought. Instead Gillard is like the house sitter who is given keys to the front door and proceeds to ransack and trash the house without any thought of what the owners wanted in a house sitter. I think contempt is ingrained in Gillard. As a comment on her ability all one can say is she has a short attention span, governs by thought bubble and contrary to the Myth promoted by McTernan, she is a hopeless negotiator. One final comment is any manager of Australia needs to have a basic understanding of living within ones means. Gillard/Rudd/Swan do not have any inkling regarding financial management.
    Comment 15 of 103
  • Logical of Canberra Posted at 7:06 AM February 26, 2013
    The electorate still remembers John Howard and Peter Costello, and what `competent' government looks like. And `competent' government looks nothing like the ALP - now or ever.
    Comment 16 of 103
  • BBPD of Brisbane Posted at 7:11 AM February 26, 2013
    Thank you Gary. I truly cannot believe you were once a Labor Minister. Your common sense, and humble competence are just not seen in current Labor Ministers, they need people like you. Unfortunately, I think people of character are completely distancing themselves from this ALP rabble. If indeed there is someone of character left in the ALP they need to put an end to this nonsense. We need an election.
    Comment 17 of 103
  • Gerry Van Hees of Narre Warren North Posted at 7:14 AM February 26, 2013
    Well thought out and very pertinent comments. This is advise that the present government should have followed. Lets hope the Liberals take note.
    Comment 18 of 103
  • Bev of Mid-north coast of NSW Posted at 7:21 AM February 26, 2013
    Gary, what's wrong with Julia Gillard etal that they haven't got as much common sense as you between the whole blinkin' lot of them. Oh, my poor country.
    Comment 19 of 103
  • Joan Posted at 7:24 AM February 26, 2013
    Congratulations- the easy peasy way of running government - a readers digest version of governing for dummies. Take note Federal pollies boot Keynes, and practise more KISS principle than stunt and spin for a more successful, efficient Australia
    Comment 20 of 103
  • phil_surfmore of qld Posted at 7:26 AM February 26, 2013
    Great opinion piece
    Comment 21 of 103
  • Helen of Sydney Posted at 7:34 AM February 26, 2013
    What great advice, as there's going to be a mess to clean up.
    Comment 22 of 103
  • Pat of NSW Posted at 7:42 AM February 26, 2013
    Sound thinking Gary. When you have a solid government , people feel safe and are prepared to have a to.
    Comment 23 of 103
  • Kate of Brisbane Posted at 7:45 AM February 26, 2013
    Yes, before the Liberals get too excited about the polls, they should take a sober look at the enormous task ahead of them. Ask O'Farrell or Newman just how hard it is to clean up a mess left in the wake of a Labor government. Much will be expected of Mr Abbott, Mr Hockey et al. I hope they are up to the task.
    Comment 24 of 103
  • Ann of Sydney Posted at 7:48 AM February 26, 2013
    A great article Gary Johns. My father was a rusted on ALP voter and he must be turning in his grave at the Gillard government. My father, a catholic, even stayed with the ALP during the split. The Hawke government, and the Howard government courted the aspirational voters. They use to work at empowering individuals to contribute to society and our country from the bottom up. They encouraged sole-traders and small business people. They encouraged us to be aspirational, to get ahead in life. The Julia Gillard Labor government looks to the power of government to control us voters from the top-down. They do not like us being aspirational. They have focused on giving power to the union bosses, who represent a shrinking and unrepresentative share of the workforce. I think it is 18%. Julia Gillard is obsessed with control, power and class warfare. We have had two very unhappy years under Julia Gillard's reign?
    Comment 25 of 103
  • R R of Sydney Posted at 7:50 AM February 26, 2013
    Yes, Keynes is dead. So too is Hayek - for that matter. Maybe you should give the extremities of his ideology a rest instead.
    Comment 26 of 103
  • Pastor Sauceplease of Berowra Hts Posted at 7:51 AM February 26, 2013
    Can Gary be drafted back into politics,(but on the correct side this time ?) A brilliant piece that should be used as the basis of the Coalition manifesto. Just a little four letter word stops this becoming reality. Guts.
    Comment 27 of 103
  • Jon of Adelaide Posted at 8:17 AM February 26, 2013
    Superb advice from Gary Johns, which Tony Abbott and his team must heed. Government with all its populist fanfare and desire to control every facet imaginable has taken up too much space in our daily lives. The constant interference, waste, incompetence and bickering have blighted rather than enhanced our existence. There has been insufficient gain for the enormous cost ordinary taxpaying Australians have had to bear. It's time that government butted out of our lives, put the people before itself, and got on with the job quietly, efficiently and effectively. Government must desist from pandering to the news cycle with thought bubbles and hasty, poorly formulated policy. The electorate will always appreciate and recognise a good government given sufficient time.
    Comment 28 of 103
  • lmwd of Qld Posted at 8:20 AM February 26, 2013
    Succinct suggestions based on common-sense. We need to clarify what we mean by "charities" as there are groups who do good work looking after sections of our society. My beef is with the powerful, taxpayer funded NGO's who lobby Govt for pet causes. They are not elected or accountable and reflect a minority political view. Add to that the Govt funded science institutions who have crossed the line becoming political advocates, with a preference for a political party who will dish out more money based on ideological grounds and the need for taxes. Science and truth are coming a poor second in the climate debate. A case in point is that it hasn't warmed in any statistically significant way in almost 16 years. How long did it take for BOM and CSIRO to come clean with the Australian people? I'm not first to suggest a full inquiry into the climate scare industry, including an independent audit of how they're treating raw climate data given the huge funding involved. Independent scientists have already shown cause for concern, suggesting we've been misled with clever statistical sleights of hand. The connection between funding of these institutions and politics needs to be transparent.
    Comment 29 of 103
  • clancy in the overflow of b/s of hervey bay Posted at 8:26 AM February 26, 2013
    to late for your mob gary the horses have bolted and its a up you jack i,m alright attitude with gillard and her caucus every person for themselves first onto the lifeboat and stays there , survives.
    Comment 30 of 103
  • James Glossop of Yass Posted at 8:32 AM February 26, 2013
    Absolutely agree. Do we really need a Minster for Social Inclusion, a minister for homeless people etc. The government tax take is 330 billion - lets get this down to 300 billion.
    Comment 31 of 103
  • Lincoln Fullertong of Canberra Posted at 8:32 AM February 26, 2013
    While all the measures are good for a coalition government, it is not necessarily able to constrain other governments, be it ALP or ALP /minority or coalition with the greens and/or independents. It seems there is a need for hard constraints on the ability of government to raise taxes and to borrow for spending. Ideally, there should be a hard ceiling for all revenue to GDP ratio that governments are not allowed to exceed without at least two thirds of both houses of the parliament. Other kinds of constraints can also be designed and implemented, so government's maximum means is fixed, so any government has to rely on better management to make ends met. Without such hard constraints, the cycles of Labor governments increase taxes and debts, then coalition governments tight the budgets and reduce the debts will go on and on without ending.
    Comment 32 of 103
  • Kath of Perth Posted at 8:37 AM February 26, 2013
    Good article. However, one must ask the question: it has been plain for at least 4 years that this government is incompetent, not able to successfully implement anything even when they do have a good idea. Given this, why is it only now that many journalists (present company excepted) are starting to be critical of the government. They seem to be following polls rather than conducting proper analysis of what is happening.
    Comment 33 of 103
  • Dennis of Redbank Plains Posted at 8:38 AM February 26, 2013
    Again, Gary Johns writes really sensible, commnon sense sort of stuff. Why do ALP people have to be out of office to promote ideas like this.
    Comment 34 of 103
  • anthony of Brisbane Posted at 8:39 AM February 26, 2013
    Hear! Hear!
    Comment 35 of 103
  • dasher Posted at 8:40 AM February 26, 2013
    I hope Abbott reads this. I will be happy to bid this ship of fools goodbye but I will be Abbott's fiercest critic if he fails to grasp the nettle. Well Gary, well said.
    Comment 36 of 103
  • Tony Posted at 8:43 AM February 26, 2013
    Well said, very well said! But this line disturbs me "The legacy of five years of Labor is how not to govern." While I agree wholeheartedly why is it that for years we have been constantly fed the line by numerous commentators that this is in fact a 'good government' that just can't get its story out? Where are those commentators now? They should hang their heads in shame, pull down their shingle and vacate the premises. The writing for Labor was on the wall from very early days. The constant 'propping up' by captive commentators has simply prolonged the country's agony and increased the price we all must pay. Good riddance to Labor AND its sycophantic media cheer squad!
    Comment 37 of 103
  • DrAK from Central Victoria Posted at 8:53 AM February 26, 2013
    Eminently sensible advice, but will the pollies listen?
    Comment 38 of 103
  • Boomer Says Hurrah! of Portland Posted at 8:53 AM February 26, 2013
    And so say all of us, us, us! Hip Hip Hooray! Somebody speaking with a good dose of common sense.
    Comment 39 of 103
  • Shawn french Posted at 9:05 AM February 26, 2013
    I love this story's s can't agree more. The labour to government let the public admonish any self responsibility for their own problems. Labour had created rules and regulations which has increased red tape and reporting to rediculous levels. The election and a new government with reduced governance can't come quick enough
    Comment 40 of 103
  • Bill of Esperance Posted at 9:07 AM February 26, 2013
    Very well said... Time for a new Broom
    Comment 41 of 103
  • johnny of logan Posted at 9:08 AM February 26, 2013
    Cutting out nanny regulations is a definite aye vote. For sure industries like aviation need need hand books to be followed to the letter to ensure planes stay where they belong but practical experience & common sense are all the guidelines needed in most manual or operator's jobs.
    Comment 42 of 103
  • Maggie Qld Posted at 9:09 AM February 26, 2013
    Excellent Mr.Johns , excellent. I hope someone is listening. Question time leaves little time for its intended purpose by the time the Minister's titles are read. Another tip Ministers need to have tags the general population understands.
    Comment 43 of 103
  • Ian Coastie of Gold Coast Posted at 9:10 AM February 26, 2013
    Gary we can only hope that at least some of the reforms and ideas you talk about will be put in place. At least we will have a government under the Libs that will have some idea of what they are there for, that is to govern Australia for everyone not just themselves and their union cohorts.
    Comment 44 of 103
  • Seven to go! Posted at 9:10 AM February 26, 2013
    It's amazing how much common sense - which has avoided the Labor govenment particularly, and politicians generally for five painful years, can be so expressed in one straight forward and easily understood comment. Ten out of ten!
    Comment 45 of 103
  • BrisBen of Spring Hill Posted at 9:17 AM February 26, 2013
    Thanks Gary; that article is gold. Five stars: I fail to remember such a succinct yet accurate account of how to run this country.
    Comment 46 of 103
  • Aghast of Glenorchy Posted at 9:19 AM February 26, 2013
    The general theme of your article gives a reasonable message.But when you mess with reality a reasonable message becomes a RANT.For example your comments on fishing are completely wrong.I mean COMPLETELY.Australian waters are fished sparsely because the fish stocks are sparse.We have a hugh area but we do not have a equivalent of a Grand Banks or an area of converging currents dropping nutrient rich fish food.Australian waters are fish stock poor.We import mainly from South Africa and New Zealand not South East Asia where the product is aqua farm produced.No stocks are depleted.Your excellent comments regarding small government and nanny state nonsense lose credibility when you dilute them in poorly investigated gibber.
    Comment 47 of 103
  • Ian Willis Posted at 9:27 AM February 26, 2013
    If only.
    Comment 48 of 103
  • Innominatus of Barossa Valley Posted at 9:29 AM February 26, 2013
    What an excellent article. I hope our future government takes all of your ideas on board. My only concern is your recommendation to cede responsibility for health care to the States. Would not this create wide differences in the standard of care between rich versus poor states? Do we really want that to occur?
    Comment 49 of 103
  • mags of Queensland Posted at 9:30 AM February 26, 2013
    The first thing they should do is to admit they won't be able to fund earlier promises because there isn't the money and there are more pressing problems for a new government to handle besides handouts.The next thing is to repeal all the pie in the sky legislation imposed on them by Labor. They have had five years to formulate policy and actions to get the nation back on track. If they don't get down to business straight away, they don't deserve to govern. Doing away with government departments extraneous to absolute needs is also a priority that needs to be addressed - a good purge will do them good.Lean and mean is the ticket.
    Comment 50 of 103
  • Jim of Leederville Posted at 9:33 AM February 26, 2013
    A great start - smaller, less expensive, much less intrusive.
    Comment 51 of 103
  • C B Marchant of Hervey Bay Posted at 9:40 AM February 26, 2013
    Great article Gary which makes complete sense maybe you should run for PM. I would vote for you. I hope TA has taken some notes.
    Comment 52 of 103
  • John Smith of Buderim Posted at 9:41 AM February 26, 2013
    There is just too much common sense in this approach to government. No matter how much support and goodwill the next government enjoys there have been too many decades of nanny welfare state for a very large proportion of the electorate to stomach a return to individual responsibility and self sufficiency. You only have to observe the refusal of the public in the bankrupt EU countries to face up to the mess they are in to understand this.
    Comment 53 of 103
  • Kim Green Posted at 9:51 AM February 26, 2013
    Very sound advice.
    Comment 54 of 103
  • Graeme M of Glenning Valley NSW Posted at 9:54 AM February 26, 2013
    Gary Johns for PM! Oh well, maybe someone will listen?
    Comment 55 of 103
  • Emmie Posted at 9:57 AM February 26, 2013
    I once held the view that Australia was over-governed; that we should get rid of the states. Thank God we still have state governments Can you imagine the mess this country would be in if this rabble had total control?
    Comment 56 of 103
  • GPotter Posted at 10:21 AM February 26, 2013
    Hear, hear
    Comment 57 of 103
  • lincoln of Victoria Posted at 10:29 AM February 26, 2013
    Sound pieces of advice for the Alternative Government. Repeated failures and more to come have condemned the Rudd-Gillard-Swan era to the rubbish tip. They need to be discarded and buried. But a disillusioned electorate now wants much more than the sound remedies put forward here. The electorate is unfortunately looking at both parties as twins, one more deformed than the other. The challenge for Abbot and Turnbull is to go beyond restoring competence, to go even beyond growing the pie and onto the intangibles of "audacity for hope". Sound policies and competent execution need flying horses to revive the audacity of the nation. We need the national aspirations of Gough Whitlam and the proven competence of John Howard. Yet there is no time for looking back for inspiration. The challenge is for Abbott and Turnbull to set the tone for the future, trusting that the nation has sufficient resilience to withstand the misfortunes heaped upon it by the false dawn and spinning promises of Rudd-Gillard-Swan. The rubbish bin of history is full of abject failures, so let them rest in peace. They are neither heroes or villains, they are just abject failures.
    Comment 58 of 103
  • donkeygod of Cardiff, NSW Posted at 10:36 AM February 26, 2013
    Excellent advice, Gary. That's EXACTLY what I'm voting for, and woe betide anyone who disappoints me. And I don't think I'm alone in that sentiment. Enough is enough, and we reached that point two years back. Somebody tell the 'Independents' that their doom is assured, and that the only way to make amends for saddling Australia with this dreadful government is for them to put it out of our misery. Now.
    Comment 59 of 103
  • Cynic of Canberra Posted at 10:38 AM February 26, 2013
    What a Coalition government should do is take a really hard look at every single Commission or bureaucracy that fails to fulfill its charter. The Human Rights Commission is an obvious place to start since it is trying to take away our human rights, in their never ending quest to find "balance". Australia doesn't need a bunch of self-serving bureaucrats telling us how to run our lives. The vast majority of us (99.9%) are smart enough know right from wrong.
    Comment 60 of 103
  • Simonzee of Perth Posted at 10:44 AM February 26, 2013
    There is not a huge amount of difference as to how Obama and the Democrats have governed with failed policies in education and other areas with that of Labor. I note that Obama to has put reading as a centerpeice of education reforms. Why not share the same thought bubble like reading and slogans like Moving Forward ect. Both claim to be progressive...Oh that's right we are not progressive but act entirely for the worker... Yeh right and how does the carbon tax fit into that and not cutting big government and red tape? We can be proud in Australia that we are not as blind as the American's as to the seriousness of the struggle. We also do not have a majority left wing media spinning all the lines of adoration towards a leader that acts as a blindfold to the masses walking to the edge of a cliff. No plans but all rhetoric and class and gender warfare is at the forefront of this poor leadership and soon we will have the chance to toss out the waste. America can keep their campaigning President because one day they will wake up and realise their driver does not know where they are going and they are in a car that has run out of gas. We can't wait to toss out our learner driver.
    Comment 61 of 103
  • Chris Posted at 10:45 AM February 26, 2013
    Clearly excellent and common sense advice. I would like to add - ignore noisy but minor protest groups - particularly the Greens - in any issue which elevates flora and fauna above and beyond the interests of human beings. People first, flora and fauna a close second. And one guiding principle for all Liberal Governments - get out of our lives and let us get on with our own affairs as much as possible. Make it easier to prosper but do not interfere. The Government is NOT the national parent or guardian. It is there to dole out the taxes to keep the joint ticking over and improving, not to raise and foster its adult citizens who are more than capable of running their own lives. Governments should provide equal opportunities but need not ensure equal outcomes - that's up to us - leave us alone.
    Comment 62 of 103
  • Hit the nail on the head Posted at 10:49 AM February 26, 2013
    And this very damning assessment of the Rudd / Gillard governments from a previous high profile Labor parliamentarian. No bias there - just plain truth.
    Comment 63 of 103
  • Terry Kidd of Perth Posted at 10:49 AM February 26, 2013
    Agreed Gary. The Abbot Government should start by abolishing the unnecessary Agencies and Boards that simply add to regulation and cost without delivering anything towards productivity. Then the departments of Health, Education and Transport need to be critically examined to scrap functions where they simply mirror what the state departments do. Smaller, less intrusive government will not only save billions of dollars it will also add to productivity, getting the economy moving and lead to increased revenue.
    Comment 64 of 103
  • Mike of Melbourne Posted at 10:50 AM February 26, 2013
    As a statement of priorities for a new government, this is absolutely correct. The curse of Canberra is the instinctive propensity for ever more generally pointless regulation that creates public service jobs. The difficulty for the new government will be its dependence for advise on the regulators.
    Comment 65 of 103
  • Nicky of Perth Posted at 10:52 AM February 26, 2013
    Well said Gary, but in many cases the Ministries of Silly Walks need to be eliminated entirely rather than consolidated! There are at least half a dozen in this category and some of these are soaking up buckets of funds, whilst simultaneously suppressing the productive energy of Australians. The Ministry for Climate Manipulation should be the first to go entirely, along with all of its overt and covert appendages.
    Comment 66 of 103
  • John Morrissey of Hawthorn Posted at 10:56 AM February 26, 2013
    Great stuff! The examples you give and the mistakes to avoid are spot on. But will the Australian electorate take their medicine? Tony Abbott has to avoid scaring the horses before the election, or - perish the thought - we might have Labor and the Greens back! Campbell Newman's modest cuts in Qld are affecting the Coalition vote there. It's a bit like the EU: austerity is necessary but it should not hurt me. It won't hurt Gillard, Swan and others who would leave office (if defeated) set for life after wrecking the economy.
    Comment 67 of 103
  • Ian Matthews Posted at 10:57 AM February 26, 2013
    As always Gary, you have nailed it!
    Comment 68 of 103
  • Cheech of Pascoe Vale South Posted at 11:07 AM February 26, 2013
    Gary, all this makes sense to me. But remember, we're talking about "government": the question is, is it remotely feasible? Realistically, what are the chances of those actions ever being implemented?
    Comment 69 of 103
  • Basil Beige of Canberra Posted at 11:10 AM February 26, 2013
    This is exactly what is needed.
    Comment 70 of 103
  • Jonathan Abbott Posted at 11:17 AM February 26, 2013
    Gary, that is a brilliant analysis and manifesto for Mr Abbott to follow. We live in hope that he can turn this leaking, collapsing hulk around. Small and efficient government is the key.
    Comment 71 of 103
  • bill from the bush Posted at 11:25 AM February 26, 2013
    Gary good story but don't agree on super trawlers no matter what this is not a good look for any party or our long term fishing.
    Comment 72 of 103
  • Peter Robertson of Hughenden Posted at 11:31 AM February 26, 2013
    Holy Diety Gary, if only it were that easy. I cant imagine a federal politician post Howard steadying the ship and pulling Canberra's head in. Abbott does seem like a chance , we can only hope.
    Comment 73 of 103
  • Ken of Melbourne Posted at 11:32 AM February 26, 2013
    I hope they prepare well and I'm encouraged by the fact that there are a few experienced hands in the shadow cabinet. Labor spent so much time attacking Tony Abbott (and then called him Mr No)that they lost the plot. I still believe the misogyny speech by Gillard was the lowest point in a very low parliament and showed her in her true colors. Unworthy and unacceptable!
    Comment 74 of 103
  • Alex Wilson Posted at 11:39 AM February 26, 2013
    Prima facie that all makes sense to me Gary. I would certainly feel much more comfortable if that was the intended management plan of an Abbott government.
    Comment 75 of 103
  • Peter Clark of Mount Gambier Posted at 11:53 AM February 26, 2013
    The problem is that this must happen in three years and the benefits be seen for the fickle public not to turn back to the profligate Labour Party. There are many individual self interested organisations with there hands in the government pocket. Removing these hands will result ina great deal of squeeling. The question is does the Abbott team have the courage to hold out against vested interests.
    Comment 76 of 103
  • Jack Diamonn of Northcote Posted at 11:59 AM February 26, 2013
    Gary Johns can talk about reducing the size of government having been a member of the Socialist Union controlled Labor Party under Keating. Its the standard Labor tactic pre-election loss. Step one: get party hacks to talk about reducing the size of government; Step two: blame the current members for trashing the brand. The reality is the Unions have become more socialist and aligned with the Greens in the past ten years, and that the leadership and the executive of the ALP are more aligned with the socialist policies of the Greens. A vote for the Greens is a vote for the ALP
    Comment 77 of 103
  • Mangrove Jack of Trinder Park. Posted at 12:08 PM February 26, 2013
    If you were leading the Labor party you would get a hell of a lot of votes with that common sense. What has happened to the labor party, they seem to be only interested in themselves and are chameleons. You are also right in that they listen to every interest group who is demanding action on their pet subject. They should be called the union party.
    Comment 78 of 103
  • CRISP Posted at 12:08 PM February 26, 2013
    Spot on Gary. Add to that: 1. Eliminate the Climate Commissioner and all the other cronies. Stop funding pointless and wasteful renewable energy scams (pardon the tautology). 2. No funding of NGO's which are really nothing more than political lobby groups eg. Australian Conservation Foundation, Australia Institute. 3. Put unions under the same regulatory authority as companies, with the same auditing and reporting requirements. 4. Combine all the mutifarious overlapping groups who service aboriginies, and remove any separate race-based service delivery. 5. Eliminate middle-class and business welfare. Stop all these hand-outs. Stop the churning. 6. Remove government from any direct media ownership or involvement i.e privatise the SBS and ABC. 7. Boost superannuation limits back to Howard's days. 8. Wherever possible, hand tax powers and responsibility back to the states and eliminate duplication in health, education. 9. Eliminate duplication of approvals. Why should both State and federal environmental approval be required?
    Comment 79 of 103
  • Amazed Posted at 12:13 PM February 26, 2013
    Wow Gary! It's hard to believe you are/were a Labor man! Your article makes very credible sense. I think you will find the LNP are of the same mindset already. We, the ignored and downtrodden individual and commercial taxpayers, desperately want a government who delivers accountability and VALUE FOR OUR MONEY. The leftists, typically Rudd, Gillard and their followers, are baying for centralisation of all government control and abolishing states. Abbott and the LNP should reverse this Soviet style centralisation dogma and retain only appropriate federal control of matters such as national defense (in it's various forms), foreign affairs, border control, determination and collection of Income Tax, and interstate standards coordination. Tariff and GST determination and collection should be handed over to the states in return for the abolition of the insidious Payroll Tax. The states can then become competitive for attracting business and workers to grow the pie. Of course the states should practice REAL pollution and environmental controls, not the global warming climate change scam which does nothing for the environment.
    Comment 80 of 103
  • Bill Murray of Brisbane Posted at 12:30 PM February 26, 2013
    Gary Johns represents the kind of thinking individual who used to head up the ALP. What the heck happened in the interim to give us this current crop of incompetent, self-serving, useless no-hopers?
    Comment 81 of 103
  • Nick of Canberra Posted at 12:35 PM February 26, 2013
    No doubt very sound advice but the overarching statements are 'clean up Labor's detritus' and 'once the ledger is repaired'. Firstly , with a national debt of over $150 billion this is easier said than done in just a three year period and secondly cleaning up the detritus which will be inherited from this appalling ,inept and incompetent government will be a task greater than that which beset Hercules in cleaning out the Augean stables.There is little doubt that a few of the newer bureaucracies established by this government can be quickly disbanded. This will result in a period of unpopularity until the public realises that such actions will be the only way the country can get back on its financial feet.
    Comment 82 of 103
  • The Bow-Legged Swantoon of Antediluvian Seas Posted at 12:44 PM February 26, 2013
    The big issue, though is selling reduced services through a prism of reduced taxation. It's going to be a helluva tightrope walk and Labor will be piffing rocks the whole time.
    Comment 83 of 103
  • Andrew of SA Posted at 12:47 PM February 26, 2013
    Brilliant! "Keynes is dead - let him rest" and "Lean towards getting out of the way, not barging in". These sentiments reflect the way Labor used to be, and are far from the interventionist do-gooder claptrap we currently suffer.
    Comment 84 of 103
  • Pierre of Peninsula Posted at 12:50 PM February 26, 2013
    Sacking 20,000 ethnics who run the emmigration dept would be a good start for Tony. Any colour but white is their motto. Coloured people motels,whites in cars. Wakey wakey Labor, you have been sprung.
    Comment 85 of 103
  • David Reed of Singapore Posted at 1:17 PM February 26, 2013
    Excellent opinion piece Mr Johns. Can't believe you are a Labour man?
    Comment 86 of 103
  • stanbye toowoomba Posted at 1:25 PM February 26, 2013
    I am inclined to agree with Jack Diamond's preamble regarding former labor power brokers giving advice to opposite ,me thinks he could have used his pen to advise his ilk in govt. when it may have counted!We can expect Richo and the like to all be offering advice from now on and they will deny trying to wedge the incoming govt.
    Comment 87 of 103
  • Liz of Campbelltown, NSW Posted at 1:33 PM February 26, 2013
    Thanks Gary, I do hope Tony and his advisors read your article as public opinion. Also, make sure the Greens and Independants don't have influence anymore - they can take a lot of the credit for the mess we're in.
    Comment 88 of 103
  • Dunstan Hartley Posted at 1:44 PM February 26, 2013
    Generally an excellent article, but: "...the science of climate change..."? Surely a misnomer if ever I heard one! What we have seen is second-rate scientists prostituting science to scare society witless; while simultaneously feathering their own nests. Classic example: Chief Climate Change Commissioner Tim Flannery, still drawing his $180,000 a year. What a travesty!
    Comment 89 of 103
  • kaysera Posted at 1:47 PM February 26, 2013
    Nice summary of the wrong directions we've taken. Smaller government is the way. Whether you go back to Thatcher, Reagan, Coolidge or Lincoln the wise message is don't cram thousands of crassly optimistic know-it-alls into government, with a remit to control everything in our lives. Has, for one example, Conroy done hard yards in business, and has he credibility in IT? All he has is boundless self-confidence that he knows the best way of doing everything. When things go sour, always someone else to blame anyway.
    Comment 90 of 103
  • Ed of Sydney Posted at 1:48 PM February 26, 2013
    Thank you for a wonderfully considered and reasonable article. I think the media generally seem to hype our pollies so much that they can't think straight. Your comments are such solid commonsense. Thank you.
    Comment 91 of 103
  • James of Sydney Posted at 2:00 PM February 26, 2013
    Hawke was a step forward for Laborism, but Keating was something entirely different: the end of the line. Keating's capitalist reforms showed conclusively that Laborism had been constraining, not advancing, the well being of workers. There was nowhere for Labor to go after that except backward into nostalgia or sideways into Social-Democrat-land along with the Greens.
    Comment 92 of 103
  • Melinda-Beth Helman of Adelaide Posted at 2:02 PM February 26, 2013
    My, my, aren't we are a smug lot. It took until comment number 47 of 86 to make any intelligent sense of the readers opinions. Self-satisfied, vitriolic, almost sound like a bunch of Americans. I am saddened. Such polarization. Many of your observations re 100% correct, but sure seems like luck than from any a good understanding of issues in depth. And like after the horrific Hurricane Sandy where "big government" was the only thing that could dig NYC out of trouble - yours and the readers lack of understanding about climate change risk means we'll be needing big government to pay for all of the big infrastructure needed as our country turns into a flood & fire nightmare. A potentially useful article turned to mush and we swill the fodder..............ugh.
    Comment 93 of 103
  • Peter H Posted at 2:05 PM February 26, 2013
    If Conservative Governments confine themselves to tidying up Labor's mess they will never have a long term impact on the overall direction of government policy. Since Whitlam, the broad thrust of Australian Government policy has been built on a socialist policy base supported by a large number of international conventions and carefully constructed legal precedents and overseen by armies of bureaucrats. Since Whitlam, no Conservative Government has managed to significantly change the general tenor of government policy. To address the "big picture" an incoming government has a lot of hard work to do. Simply sacking bureaucrats and sounding off achieves nothing substantial. Sadly, past Conservative Governments have shown little knowledge of how real policy is made and little stomach for hard work and discipline.
    Comment 94 of 103
  • BradK Posted at 2:06 PM February 26, 2013
    The more I hear from Gary Johns the more I wonder what on earth ever happened to the ALP. I'd happily consider voting for the party he describes, I would never vote for the current ALP.
    Comment 95 of 103
  • trevor skelton of Hong Kong Posted at 3:11 PM February 26, 2013
    Great article but you have to wait until late this year during which time more damage will be done to the economy and reputation of Australia. How about you give the Governor General a call and ask her to invite the Prime Minister over for a cup of tea....It won't happen but it should.....
    Comment 96 of 103
  • Right! said Fred of Sydney Posted at 3:26 PM February 26, 2013
    Gary, you suggest 18 Ministers. I say that is still way too many. Might I suggest a mere 4 Ministries - Prime Minister, Defence, Foreign Affairs & Internal Affairs (with most of what might presently exist and would fit into this category ceded back to the States)
    Comment 97 of 103
  • D.V.M. of Cooran Posted at 3:29 PM February 26, 2013
    I remember all the comments pre the Qld State election where people were saying that Mr. Newman,if elected, has a big job to clean up the state, that a lot of jobs would be made obsolete as a nessesity to get Qld back on line and to get back the AAA rating. It would seem that those same people are now complaining about job losses and are quoted by polls to return to labor at the next state election, in other words,they are saying one thing and are now doing a gillard and backflipping. I sincerly hope that when Mr. Abbott and the Coalition has to do the same, and they do,people wont turn against him as they have done to Mr.Newman. The old saying goes'Sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind".
    Comment 98 of 103
  • MNJ of Melbourne Posted at 3:41 PM February 26, 2013
    Dear Melinda Blah Blah: "And like after the horrific Hurricane Sandy where "big government" was the only thing that could dig NYC out of trouble " The federal US government did what all Federal governments do (including our own) when hit with a state of emergency. They release funds. The response to this mess was primarily down to state and local government NOT federal. Given the debacle that was inflicted on the US after Katrina, lets face it - something had to be learned from such a mess. And given the huge governments in the US, there are still tracts of property completely uninhabitable in New orleans. So lets move on with the 'Big Government' gibberish. Gary Johns has explained quite succinctly only some of the changes, and reducing the ridiculous size of the government is just one small step. His comments regarding fishing and animal rights are perfectly acceptable to the ordinary person, who couldn't give a monkey about the pet peeves of small, polarised and weirdly idiosyncratic rights organisations who's sole motive is to appease their membership of 6.3 people,11 dogs, 2 cats and a small green fish in a bowl - apparently all of whom vote. Bring it on!
    Comment 99 of 103
  • Right! said Fred of Sydney Posted at 3:51 PM February 26, 2013
    Sorry, my earlier should have included Treasury to make 5 ministries
    Comment 100 of 103

    • Bored with ignoramuses - including Labor of Brisbane Posted at 5:13 PM February 26, 2013
      Ms Helman. It might educate to know your great leader Flannery was advocating endless "drought and fire" not "flood and fire" a few short years ago. That was the climate change story back then due to "global warming". Also, Australia has always been a land of extremes, flood and drought in endless cycles. Aboriginals were using fire, bush fires sparked from lightening, and plants here have evolved over millenniums to only germinate in fire. Warming and cooling cycles, ice ages, have been a predictable cycle for this planet before man and your omniscient presence alone arrived. God, you are a bore, yawn! Go back and do a basic science course, not a propaganda course, and do get back to us - not! Then read a few books? Zzzzzzzz!
      Comment 102 of 103
    • Jeremy Reed of Applecross WA Posted at 5:31 PM February 26, 2013
      Striaghtfoirward and direct, and not hiding behind outdated ideaolgy........thank you Gary Johns for articulating what a future Abbott needs to focus on. Will they have the courage to change the way the Federal government works and cede control to the states of the majority of service delivery of health, education etc ? This is a perfect time for a quantum shift in Federal and states relationships that will benefit the country and rid us of the huge and costly duplication of services currently sapping both levels of government.
      Comment 103 of 103


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