The catastrophic storm that swept over the state last week and left almost half a million Victorians in the dark has kicked off a much-needed debate about the resilience of the state’s ageing energy infrastructure.
But a little known consequence of that “act of God” – which saw major transmission towers blown over by the destructive winds – is that it also forced Premier Jacinta Allan to cancel a cabinet retreat, where state government ministers were due to catch up and hash out policies for the year ahead.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan..Credit: Wayne Taylor
In the grand scheme of things, delaying a ministerial talk-fest might seem inconsequential, perhaps even beneficial for those who think politicians spend too much time gas-bagging among themselves. But less than six months into her premiership, there is already a growing view within the caucus that it’s time for Allan to refresh the government’s priorities.
I am yet to meet a politician who doesn’t worry about their political legacy, and Allan is no different.
When asked how they want to be remembered after leaving office, most politicians will deny that this sort of big-picture thinking keeps them up at night. Instead, they insist, they are constantly focused on the needs of voters every minute of every day. But when it comes time to call it quits, no one wants to be remembered for their administrative skills. It’s their courage vision and reform agenda that leaves a mark.
And so, the question becomes: will they be admired, vilified, or, worst of all, overlooked?
In Victoria, Dick Hamer’s premiership from 1972 to 1981 is often described as city-shaping, both for the major infrastructure projects he oversaw and for driving social equality. John Cain is remembered as a kind leader who helped modernise Victoria, but whose legacy in inextricably linked to plunging the state into debt. For both, years and years of service are boiled down to a few lines.
On the September day Allan took over as premier, she indicated that she would, in time, outline her policy priorities as well as continuing the “strong reform agenda” of her predecessor, Daniel Andrews. She promised Victorians would see a new way of doing things, built on the values of hard work, equality of opportunity and supporting working families.
An admirable vision – and hardly one that will encounter opposition – but some 150-odd days in, many Labor MPs are starting to wonder how this will translate into new policies that can tackle more tangible problems.
Through no fault of her own, Allan has taken over in the government’s third term, which comes with a risk of what was once visionary becoming more administrative upkeep.
With two-and-a-half years until the next state election, there is growing concern among caucus members that Labor has wasted a precious post-election year, where governments have space to make those controversial calls on policies. Instead, 2023 was dominated by the axing of the Commonwealth Games and departure of Andrews, with other hairy Andrews-era problems, like fine-tuning Victoria’s anti-vilification laws, delivering on promised integrity measures, reforming WorkCover, finally making a call on the second injecting room in the CBD, pushed into 2024.
Having never led Labor to an election, Allan feels it is her responsibility to deliver on the policies promised by her predecessor. But she’ll also have come up with new ways to address emerging issues such as rising cost-of-living pressures and dealing with the state’s growing debt.
The task is not a simple one. The premier needs to carve out her own niche and refresh the government, but not trash its legacy. And time is of the essence.
Finalising inherited decisions is unavoidable for any government, but Allan needs to get them off the agenda as soon as possible, and must work on developing a new policy agenda that’s fit for use.
Perhaps the best opportunity Allan now has to hit the refresh button is the May budget.
With rumours again swirling that this will be Treasurer Tim Pallas’ last, the premier has the chance to use the economic update to define her own priorities with real investments in areas that matter to her. Those close to her say this includes policies that focus on economic growth and equal access to opportunities, and policies that benefit children.
By the time the next election rolls around, Labor will have been in office for 12 years, and an effective opposition – should we have one by then – could easily frame the campaign as a “time for change” election.
Without a refreshed policy platform, voters may find themselves willing to consider the Coalition and ask what they’ve got to lose from trying something new.
Annika Smethurst is state political editor.
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Budget is Allan’s chance to carve a vision for the state
11
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22.02.2024
The catastrophic storm that swept over the state last week and left almost half a million Victorians in the dark has kicked off a much-needed debate about the resilience of the state’s ageing energy infrastructure.
But a little known consequence of that “act of God” – which saw major transmission towers blown over by the destructive winds – is that it also forced Premier Jacinta Allan to cancel a cabinet retreat, where state government ministers were due to catch up and hash out policies for the year ahead.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan..Credit: Wayne Taylor
In the grand scheme of things, delaying a ministerial talk-fest might seem inconsequential, perhaps even beneficial for those who think politicians spend too much time gas-bagging among themselves. But less than six months into her premiership, there is already a growing view within the caucus that it’s time for Allan to refresh the government’s priorities.
I am yet to meet a politician who doesn’t worry about their political legacy, and Allan is no different.
When asked how they want to be remembered after leaving office, most politicians will deny that this sort of big-picture thinking keeps them up at night. Instead, they insist, they are........
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