Editorial: In government you need to pick your battles

It’s the lesson every minister in the incoming LNP administration should write on a post-it note and stick on their computer monitor, writes the editor.

No doubt it is very exciting after years of politicking in opposition to finally get your hands on the keys to government and full access to the details of all the outrages you have spent years trying to expose.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie is certainly the kid with the cookie jar in this scenario, pointing out daily – with glee – the “hidden!” blowouts on government spending approved by the Miles Labor administration.

This is good for transparency. As we always say in this column, voters have the right to know how their taxpayer dollars are being spent. The Courier-Mail will always fight for that right, and unapologetically support such disclosures.

Premier David Crisafulli is shooting for the modest option for Brisbane's Olympic stadium, as illustrated by Brett Lethbridge

But the reality is that Mr Bleijie is a minister now, and will soon find that he needs to balance the fun and games of pointing out how bad the other mob was with the reality that all the decisions and blowouts will soon be his cross to bear.

Getting this balance right will be key to the LNP’s political survival.

Former LNP premier Campbell Newman’s biggest issue ended up being that he rushed to make cuts to the public service based on his conclusion upon taking office that costs were out of control.

Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mr Newman’s bull-at-a-gate response to that conclusion became the thing his administration ended up being characterised by, and he lost the next election, gifting Labor fertile political fodder for the next two election cycles.

Premier David Crisafulli will need to keep a close eye on this lesson from history, and be ready to rein in his deputy when that becomes necessary – as it will.

The hallmark of an effective opposition is usually that it picks apart the government with gusto. This often means that a muscular approach to issues is necessary.

Good government also requires a certain amount of politicking, of course, but it relies more heavily on nuance. In government you have to pick your fights. Opposition is an endless one.

This was another lesson from the Newman era that every minister in the incoming LNP administration should write on a post-it note and stick to the computer monitor in their plush new offices.

It might be useful for Mr Bleijie to have that same message made up in flashing neon lights and hung on the wall of his new digs up in the clouds at 1 William St.

Already we have seen him pick a fight with the federal government over the proposed Brisbane Arena, a 17,000-seat indoor concert and sport venue in the inner-city at the Roma Street Parkland – similar to the existing one at Boondall.

In his first meeting with federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King and federal Sport Minister Anika Wells, Mr Bleijie – as the state Infrastructure Minister – asked them to consider revisiting the deal that splits the costs of $7bn in planned venues spend between the two levels of government. Ms King warned of cost escalations if there were any delays on the Arena – which is nearing the point at which tenders would be called for.

These cost overruns would be the first to be blamed on Mr Bleijie, in this case because of his demand to pause progress. Welcome back to government Jarrod, where every problem now becomes yours.

As former treasurer Cameron Dick sagely advised this week, there are only a few choices government can make when costs are escalating: “You can build the project that you promised to deliver. You can rescope the project, which means you do less for the same amount of money – and that’s a cut. You can cut the same project out altogether, so you can do a deep cut. Or you can dishonour other promises you make … to fund those projects.”

The new LNP premier David Crisafulli with his first ministry. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Hence the point about having to pivot from the politicking that is necessary in Opposition to the boring job of governing, that is an unavoidable part of government.

It is fun to uncover the outrages beneath the rocks you can peek under when new to office, but before long it is you the voters hold responsible for the blowouts and decisions – and comes quickly.

REX VITAL FOR OUR STATE

The federal government’s decision to bail out Rex airlines to the tune of $80m is good news for regional Queenslanders.

The airline’s lifeblood is the bush, but the country towns it services in Queensland, NSW and WA have all been on tenterhooks since Rex was placed into voluntary administration on July 31.

Since then, the airline has stopped flying 11 routes between major cities, leading to a 95 per cent jump in ticket prices for some journeys.

It’s basic economics. Less competition will usually mean higher prices. But Rex’s plight also caused concerns that Queensland’s regions would become disconnected from our nation’s capital.

Thankfully, the government recognised the vital importance of these links and ensured they would continue. They now need to ensure the company will be sustainable.

Corporate bailouts are difficult in a free-market economy such as Australia. But occasionally, governments need to recognise that some industries, and companies, are too important to the nation to be allowed to fail.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here