Behind the 'nice bloke' facade is just another wily politician
Anita Quigley
September 9, 2010
The curtains had barely been drawn to let the sunshine in when dark clouds began to form over the new Gillard government and its queen-making independents.
In an early morning interview with the ABC yesterday, it quickly became clear that Tony Windsor was already at odds with Labor over the mining tax review. Windsor wanted the minerals resource rent tax to be discussed at a tax summit next year, which was one of Labor's main offerings to win over the independents. But the Treasurer, Wayne Swan, said it would not be on the summit's agenda because the government was in the process of designing the measure and preparing legislation for parliamentary approval.
Meanwhile, back on the north coast where the sun seems to always shine, Rob Oakeshott announced he would spend the next few days pondering the offer of a seat in cabinet.
Just a few days? Sure you don't want 17? We know how you don't like to rush these things. At this rate, Iraqis have more chance of a stable government over the next three years than we do.
Welcome to life as we now know it - held to ransom by a few men from regional Australia revelling in their newfound fame and clear disdain towards the majority of their fellow countrymen and women.
Men who don't seem to care much about home affordability levels, climbing rents, increasing population densities, apartment blocks ruining traditional suburbs, traffic congestion, dirty and unreliable trains, cash-strapped councils leaving suburban streets a potholed mess to name just a few of the burning issues which affect millions of us.
Imagine how western Sydney residents are feeling today - an area of the country growing rapidly in population and desperately needing infrastructure such as basic public transport to cope. Yet the bigger more pressing issue for the new federal government will be ensuring a far smaller population gets 24k gold-plated fibre optic cable for high speed broadband.
The fact those in the country will be able to have better internet services is sure to console commuters who have to drive 90 minutes each way to work while paying about $80 in tolls a week for the privilege.
With the scandal-stunted state government so inept, western Sydneysiders were looking to Canberra to provide such vital services, but instead face the reality their votes didn't count. It must now be like a convention for the disappointed and disillusioned in the vast tracts of suburban Sydney.
But if there is one thing abundantly clear already under this all-loving minority government, it is this: despite everyone purporting to have the interests of the country at heart, they don't.
First impressions might be that Rob Oakeshott wants to simply spread fairy dust. For all this talk of sunshine and beautiful politics, he would be better suited behind the lectern as a pastor at a group-hugging happy-clappy church. But now we're stuck with him as one of the most powerful men in the country.
And there are plenty of raised eyebrows among those who have worked closely with him in the past, including those in the Coalition, who wonder if he's up to the challenge of what lies ahead.
They recall how he struggled to effectively land any punches while opposition gaming spokesman at a time when the NSW government gave pubs poker machines - free.
They recall questions over a $160,000 refit of his electoral office and a decision to move it away from the main street and constituents to a business park, which didn't go unnoticed in his electorate.
One describes him as having a great ability to charm and woo you, while another says that "it will be hysterical to watch him try and keep up with the workload" in Canberra.
Between 2003 and 2008, Oakeshott was absent from almost 15 per cent of the 301 parliamentary sitting days. A clear pattern shows he would leave Sydney early on Thursday so he could return home to Port Macquarie - and usually skipping any Friday sittings.
This raises the question of whether he is up to the job of working around the clock, something many federal politicians will attest is required, let alone a man who now holds such extraordinary power over the current Parliament and all our futures.
Oakeshott is now pondering just how powerful his future will be, and whether to accept the shameless offer of a cabinet seat. How can he seriously reconcile a position in the Labor ministry and remain an independent?
He's been around politics long enough to understand that he will be required to toe the party line.
It would be naive in the extreme to think otherwise and yet, he tells us, he needs a few days pondering and to consult his wife. There are financial benefits to consider too, as short-sighted as that would be. Does he honestly think his electorate would tolerate for a moment re-electing an independent who opted for the pay rise that goes with being a Labor minister? That would be delusional.
While Oakeshott likes to give the impression of a cheesy, affable, boy-next-door country lad who has reluctantly found himself thrust into this situation, seemingly, it's not the case at all. He's been grooming himself for years for bigger things.
Tony Abbott said on Tuesday while he was disappointed with Windsor and Oakeshott's decision to give Julia Gillard a 76-74 majority, he believed they "were acting in good faith". Many, me included, aren't buying it for a moment.
Anita Quigley is a Sydney journalist and commentator.
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