How the Liberals must change NSW government

Adam Diver says:

07:27am | 28/03/11

That entire piece could of been translated into “blah, blah blah” or equally “insert political speak, used after every single election”.

Its just buzz words, no real plan, no mention of actual policies. Whilst almost anything is a step up from NSW Labor I would like to see a litle less “politics” and a little more management.

acotrel says:

07:52am | 28/03/11

Ted Baillieu has only been in power in Vic for a few months.  He’;s already allowed grazing of cattle in the high country on the premise that it is a scientific trial - the equivalent of the Japanese approach to whaling!

Gman says:

08:28am | 28/03/11

You guys are unbelievable! We have been waiting for years to kick this govt out…. I’m sure gloating for a couple of days is allowed, don’t you? How much do you think they will actually achieve in the first week. I’d hate to be on a winning team with you guys! This is there Grand Final, please extend some general courtesy, whether you voted for them or not. Enjoy your win guys, you deserve it.

acotrel says:

09:15am | 28/03/11

I quote -  ‘Barry O’Farrell is a reaonable man and a moderate Liberal who I believe won’t follow Tony Abbott in his extremism’ ! !

Michael says:

09:25am | 28/03/11

Acotrel personifies ALP mentality, never look inward always try to have (anyone silly enough to listen) focus on the other guys, whether they be in Government or opposition.

Dash says:

09:32am | 28/03/11

acotrel, bloody hell! You guys are sticking your heads in the sand! Ignoring this result will be the death of the ALP federally. Anyone or anything that disagrees with the ALP is suddenly extremism??? WTF. You guys better wake up because time is running out. Queensland will be next. Bash Abbott as much as you like, but reality is the ALP will be dead if it doesn’t change.

Dissident says:

10:21am | 28/03/11

Acotrel, did Tony Abbott steal your girl or something? Maybe he beat you in a flag race in the surf life-saving championships? You really have it out for him and the hatred seems to be directed at him personally, not at his policies.

Julia Gillard said that the shellacking that Labor took in NSW had nothing to do with Federal issues (rubbish, but tow that line) but you didn’t seem to get the memo. Now you are trying to heap rubbish on TA in NSW Labor’s darkest hour? Kindly stay on topic.

NSW Labor were an absolute basket case and needed the lead pill. Now let’s see the coalition do something for the people of NSW.

As a last thought, the swing was more than just a landslide - to date I haven’t thought of a suitable term to coin it. Maybe that is a job for the punchers today?

Aitch B says:

10:32am | 28/03/11

@acotrel

Have you got a link for that statement?

I can only find “Mr O’Farrell is a reasonable man, a moderate Liberal, seeking to get on with the job and engage in constructive federalism”

Not “fluffing it up a bit” are we?

john says:

12:34pm | 28/03/11

@Aitch B says

Not “fluffing it up a bit” are we?

acotrel [obviously a labor pilgrim] is kissing liberal arse so barry O can do business with gillard, hoping he doesn’t say NO to her, otherwise it would finish gillard off.

john says:

12:48pm | 28/03/11

@acotrel “I quote -  ‘Barry O’Farrell is a reaonable man and a moderate Liberal who I believe won’t follow Tony Abbott in his extremism’ ! ! “

Gillard said that on ABC24 this morning, sounds like acotrel is kissing state liberal arse too!

Whats wrong with trying to get deals done with federal liberals, perhaps last weeks placards made laborites cry!

John A Neve says:

02:24pm | 28/03/11

Hi Adam,

Do you ever answer a question? Or do you just move on when the going gets to tough?

All your posts seem to just be “blah,blah, blah”.

As for “actual policies” you just don’t have any do you?
Just a lot of “buzz words”.

Adam Diver says:

02:44pm | 28/03/11

@ John,

“All of us have a very clear idea of what we need to do and we have plans to get them in place. The community will see sensible management applied to each portfolio. lt will see a government that is focused on the services we’re delivering and the infrastructure that must be built. I can assure you every member of this new government is committed to get this thing going because the state can’t afford to wait. “

That paragraph says nothing at all. Its copy and pasted from every acceptance speech in political history. Several times he mentioned policies, without providing information on what those policies are.

In fact that entire piece was about nothing, what point was the member trying to make? Perhaps you would care to elaborate to rescue me from my ignorance.

What question was posed to me John?

John A Neve says:

04:47pm | 28/03/11

Adam,

As I have stated to others who pose the same answer as yourself, any sentence or paragraph with ? behind it requires an answer. You sadly dodge most.

As to acceptance speeches; just about ALL pollies are tared with the same brush and have been for some years. Debates as to the qualities of either side are nothing but one eyed dreams. If you picked the best out of all sides we’d be lucky to get good government.

This country has become like the army of the dead, left, right, left, right,
then left again. We are lead by grey men and women who went to the same scools/unis, go to the same tailor and claim to worship the same god. Their god by the way is greed/power.

All we ever do here is argue about who told the biggest lie.

Col. of Blackburn says:

06:59pm | 28/03/11

@acotrel
It’s our state and WE want the cattle to graze there! We want Burke and his government of Ecotards to butt out of Victoria’s affairs.

jb says:

06:30am | 28/03/11

Speak some sense nosy… worded a different way? you sound like juliar the mugger, ‘well if I had of said there will be a carbon tax under a government I lead’ that would be worded slightly different too right?
I really can’t believe you lot sanction lying, your children must be very confused…

TChong says:

07:12am | 28/03/11

jb - good that you have your message out, but what has that to do with what I posted?
all parties make claims about governing “for the people” , and all will eventually be voted out.
Take the time to read jb- you wont be wrong so often, that way.

Dash says:

08:16am | 28/03/11

Chongy, I would suggest this is more than just a cyclical change of government. Do you think there is any message to the ALP in the weekend result? Both the NSW ALP and the Federal ALP?

This is the ALPs worst defeat! And in my opinion, it is as much a message to Canberra as to NSW. And the results in Port Macquarie and Tamworth also send a very clear message. This was not an election defeat, it was a masacre! From 50 seats to 20 Ouch! For the ALP to lose Campbelltown, Newcastle, Penrith!!! OMG! Heartland gone.

Since you’re a staunch ALP person, I’d be more interested in your thoughts on what this message means that just shrugging your shoulders and saying “every dog has it’s day”.

TChong says:

11:34am | 28/03/11

Dash - my dislike of LNP philosophy doesnt mean I support , or apologise on behalf of the ALP.
I dont , havent , voted for them .
The NSW ALP lost because they deserved to.
But just a rough prediction- the new govt will audit books, be shocked, realise they have to break promises, cut costs.
During the middle part of the term, the machinations of state will function, and towards next election pork barreling and promises will be offered.
Just a very quick look thru history indicates a bit of a pattern, does it not?
Progressives, Conservatives, nationally or parochially, here or there, I dare say history will once again repeat.
BTW - Federal implacations - that will depend on the meeja, moguls and minions blood lust, or maybe they have been sated for a while.

PatC says:

12:20pm | 28/03/11

@ TChong,

Serious question. What do you think the ALP can do to win back voters trust?

I think that one thing that’s worse than a bad government is a weak and ineffective opposition. The LNP now has control of both houses in NSW with no real opposition. That can lead to some pretty draconian policies getting through. (Thinking of Workchoices as one example.)

I don’t know where the NSW Labor would start but I’d be interested to see how they do it given that QLD could be in a similar position in 12 - 18 months time.

L. says:

07:42am | 28/03/11

“was negated by the promises to roll back the ethics classes for SRE-opt-out pupils in public schools that are supposedly secular i.e. religion neutral.”

I’m a QLD’er, so I haven’t been following this as closely as I should, but if they roll back the ethics classes, then that would be very sad indeed.

Gman says:

08:30am | 28/03/11

Another Wanker! You guys are sore losers, I mean really!

Tedd says:

10:16am | 28/03/11

L,
they backed away from those promises after they realised they would probably not have control of the Upper House (as seems to now be the case).  The fact they publicly and loudly entertained the ideas was chilling enough, though.

G,
don’t worry petal - never voted Labor and didn’t this time. Really.
Just want the individual freedom that the Lib-Nats espouse, but seem to have been derailed on, at least for freedom of belief.

Gman says:

08:34am | 28/03/11

It’ll help by reducing the wasted millions on bureaucracy for a start!  Who else but the public sector get RDO’s and bullshit like that. I’m sick of watching our money get wasted by Labor Govts!

L. says:

09:20am | 28/03/11

” Who else but the public sector get RDO’s and bullshit like that.”

What makes you think that aLib Gov, state or federal, will remove RDO’s or flex..?

As for “Who else but the public sector get RDO’s and bullshit like that?”

Lots of private companies.. Boeing Australia for starters.

acotrel says:

10:19am | 28/03/11

@Gman
‘Who else but the public sector get RDO’s and bullshit like that.’
Most industries in V icroria that have a unionised workforce!
Who will we bash next week?  We’ve almost run out of dole bludgers, asylum seekers, aborigines, and public servants!

Dash says:

08:05am | 28/03/11

Yes Holly it was a thumping defeat for the ALP. A huge message not only to the fools in the NSW ALP but also to the idiots running the ALP in Canberra. It remains to be seen if the ALP will listen or just make the same kind of “head in the sand’ noises that you have made in your post this morning.

Rosie says:

08:34am | 28/03/11

Barry O’Farrell and his team will first work on the people of NSW who have been in a state of delusion under Labor Rule for the last 16 years! The Labor misconception that people should be told what to do and how to live their lives for the Liberal way of giving you a choice on how you want to live that life.

It is a big job Holly when you have to deal with 2/3 of the population of NSW.

acotrel says:

10:21am | 28/03/11

@ Rosie Let’s take bets on what the first scam will be?

Rosie says:

11:20am | 28/03/11

@ acotrel

No thanks - I am going to believe in Barry O’Farrell’s convictions, honesty and integrity, the things that was lacking in Kristina K’s Labor Party.

The Badger says:

12:03pm | 28/03/11

Rosie
O’Farrell was convicted?
What did he do time for?
Fraud?

Rosie says:

12:57pm | 28/03/11

The Badger - harassing again!

Are you so stupid not to be aware of the important distinction between criticism and defamation so that one doesn’t cross the border into the area of defamation?

I used the word “convictions” in the context of firm beliefs, certainity, sureness, positiveness, confidence etc in what O’Farrell says he will set out to do for the people of NSW.

I am surprised, Punch allowed the publication of your statement without any facts

The Badger says:

01:46pm | 28/03/11

Rosie
You’re the one who said he had convictions. Look out, the defamation lawyers will soon be at your door.

DavidK says:

02:19pm | 28/03/11

The Badger do you ever read the comments before you click on the submit button?

@ Rosie

Holocaust deniers generally do not accept the term denial. Labor apologists like The Badger’s failure to accept empirical reality even at the cost of their party’s best interests can only be said to be dumb, sad and tragic.

T.S. Elliot ” human beings cannot bear too much reality.” I think what we are seeing here is like Julia Gillard, The Badger and Labor Apologists, all finding the reality of Labor’s devasting and humilating loss in NSW is just too much for them to bear they feel the need to ignore it and trivialize it.

hermes says:

09:14am | 28/03/11

Can you tell the Queensland government that? No, don’t bother, tell Campbell Newman instead, lol.
PS, I want the same things, with an addition:
- I want professional job opportunities and good public transport outside the Brisbane CBD (not necessarily in some tiny town of 300 people, but in what the Qld Govt *think* are tiny towns of 300,000 people)

L. says:

09:33am | 28/03/11

“- if I am to use my car I don’t want gridlocked traffic. I want to be able to get there quickly and find abundant parking when I get there..”

Sorry, but while this would be nice, one must realise that not all stories have a happy ending. Are you willing to pay for the parking you want at the end of your trip? Are you willing to pay higher taxes to fund more roads or resume land in order to widen lanes?

Reg says:

10:15am | 28/03/11

L; “Are you willing to pay for the parking you want at the end of your trip? Are you willing to pay higher taxes to fund more roads or resume land in order to widen lanes?”

No problem, what-is-name will fix it. One new harbour crossing please, free trains and the gradual shut down of Sydney so that the rural areas can be justifiably supported with the redistribution of the funds saved.

Sell off the Macquarie Street real-estate and out-source cheap office space in Cooma or Port Macquarie or you could all work from home using Skype.  It’s so exciting I’m sure we’re wetting our collective pants.

HEY ... why has Pennant Hills Road gone silent. Don’t tell he’s rushed in and extended the free-way already? No, just another long line of smoke belching semis- that need to be displaced by a carbon tax so that their real cost makes rail so much more attractive. Ho-hum.

By the way what-is-name, I can’t use the 5000 litre rainwater tank to wash my clothes because the fall-out from the road 2km away taints it. Fix it please.

I just wish you could look more like the ACTION-MAN you say you are. Yes more like the dynamic image presented of our lady Prime Minister.

ps.  I’ll let you off any idea of NW rail. It would only make it difficult for the businesses in the NW who have done such a brilliant job of bringing stupendous services to the area. Well done which ever government encouraged that.

Markus says:

10:20am | 28/03/11

@L. yes, I am.
The only issue I have with paying higher taxes is the knowledge that the existing tax revenue is being blown on crap, and that all potential tax increases I have read about lately (federal and state level) are either being spent on crap too, or being spent on things that should have been covered by existing tax revenue.

Tubesteak says:

11:24am | 28/03/11

@L

“Are you willing to pay for the parking you want at the end of your trip?”

No. That was my point. Parking meters are local councuils getting greedy. Labor did well to shut many local councils down in regards to planning. We can do the same with this. Allow them to build public parking stations. Build them underground if needs be like in the Domain. Build them under parks etc.

“Are you willing to pay higher taxes to fund more roads or resume land in order to widen lanes?”

We don’t need to pay higher taxes. We are one of the highest taxed nations on Earth. (I only have to pay 15% tax on HK and no CGT). We just need to work better with the taxes we have. Instead of governments buying votes with useless handouts or a bloated public service we need to cut both. I used to work in the Cth PS and that department could be halved if they were made to work a normal day instead of the piddly little 7 hours with flex leave etc. The state PS is even worse. It’s a work for the dole scheme.

Concentrate on the fundamentals of providing infrastructure (because the private sector are unable to do it due to inability to turn it into an exclusive use asset) and get rid of all the useless stuff that government waste money on.

TChong says:

11:48am | 28/03/11

Tubey - you need to make some distinguishment between public servants.
Are nurses who look after critically ill patients ( like stroke victims, as just 1 example) over paid fat cats ?
Are the police,?  fire brigade? ambos?- yet they too are also much despised “Public Servants”

Tubesteak says:

12:35pm | 28/03/11

TChong it should be obvious that those sort of public servants aren’t overpaid and aren’t superfluous to our needs. You’ll find most nurses work 12 hours per day! We need more of them and more police.

But OSR, Department of Finance? Hell yeah! Halve them.

It would be good if we could get rid of the states altogether and remove the duplication of many of their duties but we are stuck with the model for now.

PTom says:

10:57am | 28/03/11

Yer, that why the first opposed ethic class and supported scripture class because they don’t want to interfere in your children education and now with the CDP in balance in the Upper look out for the roll out of Christian Fundamentalism.

Reg says:

12:08pm | 28/03/11

Shane…“Every government abuses their (its) mandate. It’s their nature.”

That’s certainly pregnant with political possibilities Shane.

First we must consolidate (before the election) in precise terms what the policies of the candidates are.  No bullshit and weasel words, just plain one liners. The constitution says 1% is a mandate so I must ask, what is abuse of a mandate that has met the electoral requirements? 

Perhaps you haven’t noticed that the electorate only pays attention in the initial run up to the election and the process is open to abuse when the candidate pulls a swiftie within a few days of the vote, after everyone has stopped watching from sheer boredom. Once the electorate woke up to this practice from JWH, his days were numbered. 

So ... as you think our system is flawed, which it is as I have illustrated with the JWH example, what are your suggestions for its improvement?

No weasel words, just plain talk.

Dash says:

09:12am | 28/03/11

Michael, yes there is a cyclical side to elections. But this was different! A massive wollaping for the ALP! 50 seats to 20!!!!! This is the ALPs greatest defeat. And if the Federal ALP don’t listen and change, their days are seriously numbered!

Michael says:

11:36am | 28/03/11

Dash, the ALP is finished, all the opposition has to do is run adds of news grabs from Julia asserting all her lies, no carbon tax, offshore assylum centre in Timor Leste, i have more chance of being full forward for the doggies…..actually an add campaign that feature only Rudd and Gillard and all of the inconsistancies and backflips.
T.A. actually doesn’t need to do much at all but shut up, let Labor lose the Government, that’s something within their capabilities.

D says:

11:52am | 28/03/11

Not the least bit like the gracious Liberals after the federal election. No bile and bitterness there. Yep Hilarious!
And before I am pidgeonholed as some sort of hater, I didn’t vote Labour or Green. I’m a card carrying Cynic. Yep, ‘meet the new boss, same as the old boss’.

Dash says:

12:27pm | 28/03/11

D, How many seats did the LNP win at the last federal election? One more than the ALP wasn’t it? Did you notice the election results in Port Macquarie and Tamworth? A complete whitewash is a little different from what happened federally at the last election.

Hardly a fair comparison but nice try. Although I do like your reference to the Who’s “Wont Get Fooled Again”. Great song.

D says:

02:14pm | 28/03/11

Not even thinking scorecards here. Just in relation to ‘bad losers all you labor and commy green supporters are”. Only making the point that neither side are very good losers. I didn’t think I would have to spell it out for you, but looky, I did.

Dash says:

04:55pm | 28/03/11

@Shirley: Wasn’t it something along the lines of “Whadda we do now with the fools in Bankstown who were still prepared to vote for the ALP idiots who have rorted and raped the state for 16 years”

The thing that amazed me was that there were still people who made a concious decision to vote ALP on Saturday??? WTF. How anyone could have made that decision is beyond me. Maybe it was all the ALP backed builders who had their noses in the taxpayer trough under the BER?

Michael says:

10:01pm | 28/03/11

that was from what? 88-92? hardly relevant in this day old mate

Michael says:

10:07pm | 28/03/11

Isn’t that why Labor took office? and after 16 years all you can say is remember why we voted them in 16 years ago? seriously is that it?.

L. says:

11:12am | 28/03/11

“- Green stream lights for all arteriole roads from 6am to 11am and from 3pm to 7pm”

What does that mean..?

Ryan says:

12:00pm | 28/03/11

@L: sorry I should have explained it. Green stream (AKA Green Wave) means that lights down an arteriole road are syncronised for a set speed meaning that the traffic that starts moving and continues to move at that set syncronised speed (school zones can be taken into account for this) will always meet a green light, this keeps traffic flowing. There are even adaptive systems for this now.
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/09/traffic-lights-adapt/

Ted says:

12:55pm | 28/03/11

Green stream also means a bloody frustrating red stream if you’re caught between the cycle unless you can beat it by exceeding the speed limit (or slowing to get into it… which then slows traffic).

Nafe says:

03:00pm | 28/03/11

No Ted

When you get caught at a red light, you can only go once the light turns green. Then.. believe it or not, you go through a green lightr and are then on the Green stream of lights.

Quite simple logic

Ryan says:

10:52am | 28/03/11

@Liz: jeez Barry hasn’t even been sworn in yet, let alone draw up a project plan to estimate times.

Arnold Layne says:

11:04am | 28/03/11

+1

I’m optimistic, as are many of us, but failure to act soon will just see you lose the goodwill you were elected with.  The north-west rail link is very important but finishing the Epping to Parramatta line is too.  There’s no reason you can’t do both.  We are going to need to borrow in order to provide infrastructure - that’s not necessarily a bad thing. 

Widening the M5 isn’t much of a solution either.  The gridlock will just move up the road.  Get cars off the road that don’t need to be there by making public transport more viable and accessible.  Along with that comes a change in mindset though and people are going to need to do that for themselves. 

We also need to change the Federal tax law that encourages people to drive so they save money on their tax mind you, and a State government can’t do that.  Other than for those whose primary purpose is to be on the road, it’s a ludicrous tax rebate.

Van Diemonian says:

01:59pm | 28/03/11

Liz @ 10:40am. As an outsider looking on, I’ve been quietly chuckling to myself, it’s like most of the commentators believe now Keneally is gone, Barry O’Farrell has a magic wand and everything is going to be ‘hunky dory’, I shouldn’t laugh but I do find some of the comments amusing.  I must add, I do sincerely wish Barry all the best, he came across well before the election, now the proof will be in the pudding.

Dash says:

11:38am | 28/03/11

Both Fairfax and News editors backed the Rudd ALP in 07 on the day of the election. Go back and read the editors comments in the Daily Telegraph or the SMH. You’re comment is not true!

Ryan says:

12:03pm | 28/03/11

Delusional! You mean like the media that painted ordinary hard working mums and dads as extremists at the no-carbon dioxide tax rally?
Open your eyes.

I was there - of course you were. says:

12:22pm | 28/03/11

Ryan
You are delusional.
You have a warped idea of what constitutes ordinary mums and dads.

The lunatic fringe were well represented at the rally.
Open your eyes.
A bunch of xenophobic extreme right wing haters are not ordinary mums and dads.

Rocket Surgeon says:

12:30pm | 28/03/11

...and both papers supported Liberal at the state election. Your blinkers are affecting your vision!

Ryan says:

03:34pm | 28/03/11

@Whoever that is: right so you think its acceptable to accuse me and other fellow Australians of being “xenophobic extreme right wing haters” for being there along with many, many ordinary mums and dads who are concerned about the future of the country and jobs.
Well I can just guess who is the lunatic can’t I.
Lets take a look shall we.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvURnIyt6yA I guess the duck farmer must be the lunatic?

Dash says:

07:54am | 29/03/11

Rocket - Ah, if you look at the state of the nation before 07 and the state of NSW, hardly a fair comparison. NSW was rocked by rorts, sex scandals, backroom deals, factional fighting and huge waste of taxpayers money. Before the 07 federal election, we had close to full employment levels, zero federal debt, GDP growth hifgher than the rest of the western world, surplus budgets and 5 years of consecutive tax cuts. It’s laughable for you to try to draw any comparison!

Billy says:

05:53pm | 28/03/11

Acotrel - The Cattlemen of the high country looked after the land for over a hundred years grazing their cattle, until the Greenies put a stop to it.  Is it any wonder that we had such bad bushfires in the area because the cattle weren’t allowed to graze and keep the grass to a reasonable level.  Onya Ted.

iansand says:

08:28pm | 28/03/11

I have been visiting the NSW high country for over 4 decades.  It is in much better shape now than it was when I first visited.  That may, or may not, be connected to the fact that my first visit was shortly after grazing stopped.

Reg says:

01:13pm | 28/03/11

Darragh; ”  It doesnt matter to me either way I just hope you publish this comment so I can be famous on the Internet. seriously. revoke my citizenship please.”

Thanks for the laugh.

Darragh: “Thats alot of imported steele and technology. Who will get the contracts for this. Some overseas Chinese Communists.”

Don’t say that too loud mate, such balance of trade is enough to send Tony off into coma of philosophical vicissitude.

Tammy says:

03:44pm | 28/03/11

Against the Man

The leader of the ALP who screwed things up so badly in NSW has been recommended by the “I love pretty women” Bob Hawke to enter Federal politics! Poor old man, couldn’t even wait to allow Kristina to get over the reality of being the leader of a political party that would go down in Australia’s political history as the worst loss in an Election.

That is Labor for you, only thinking of themselves.

Tom says:

03:49pm | 28/03/11

It only seemed like 186 years.

John A Neve says:

04:52pm | 28/03/11

ATM,

For once you may well be correct!  Your “186 years of ALP incompetence and corruption” says a lot to the people of NSW’s.

As to the Libs cleaning up, only time will tell and I’m waiting.