Jeff Kennett: A nine-point plan for Victoria’s recovery

In two years, the Victorian public will decide with their vote whether the state is heading in the right direction or not. But here’s how we can start moving forward now to a brighter future.

For the past week, this paper has run a series of articles reflecting on the 10 years since the ALP was elected to office in Victoria.

Fellow former premier Steve Bracks and I were asked to write 150 words each day on a nominated topic.

As he and I both know it is the mood of the meeting, the community, that determines elections. Whether the state is heading in the right direction or not.

The public will answer that question in 24 months at the state election.

Rather than looking back, today I want to look forward.

My nine-point plan is the state’s road to recovery.

1. Offer total transparency

Those who have the responsibility of governing after the next election must take the public into their confidence, warts and all, by being totally transparent.

Without your government being transparent there is no trust between the government and its community. For example, who holds Victoria’s debt, or publicly releasing the latest business plan for the Suburban Rail Loop.

The latest business plan for the Suburban Rail Loop must be released.

2. Assemble a team based on ability, experience, excited by the challenge regardless of their politics

The very best people must be identified to lead the government and the public service.

All knowledge does not reside with one or a few people “but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety”* where good decisions can be made.

The quality of individuals is more important than one’s politics.

3. Reduce government expenditure

There are only three ways that can happen:

a. Put on hold any more non-essential infrastructure projects.

b. Reduce the size and cost of the back-of-house public sector and layers within government organisational structures.

c. Reduce the interest payments on debt by reducing the state debt. This will take some years.

The very best people must be identified to lead the government and the public service. Picture: Mark Stewart

4. Set an economic target for which the government and community can aim

I would set a target of returning the state budget to surplus within three or four years and stabilising the growth in the public debt within five years.

5. Work with industry and employers to ensure no businesses leave the state

Several very large employers are looking to the end of their current lease and moving their operations interstate.

Victoria cannot afford for this to happen, and every effort must be made to convince them to stay, and that better times lie ahead for the state.

Review all projects for which no decision has been made, in particular housing projects. Picture: David Crosling

6. Review all projects for which no decision has been made, housing projects in particular, or demands too unrealistic, and make final ministerial decisions bypassing VCAT

Sadly, many decisions by government, for or against, are taking too long, and therefore become too costly for industry, developers or consumers.

Often this is because there are too many layers of public servants through whom planning applications must be processed, and no one is prepared to make a decision. Also, public servants working from home has been shown to slow decision making.

Public servants working from home has been shown to slow decision making.

7. Review the number and operation of Victoria’s 79 local councils.

Over the past few years, the government has appointed dozens of council monitors or commissioners to oversee the operations of Victorian councils that have not been performing well. They are an expensive and another layer of bureaucracy.

The number of councils in Victoria needs to be reduced and commissioners appointed initially for a three-year term.

8. Start removing some of the taxing and economic imposts that have removed incentive and aspiration

For some years now the only lever the government has used to address the blowout in their debt and interest payments has been to raise substantially taxes and charges on citizens and businesses.

There have been no initiatives or incentives for people or business to work and be rewarded.

The new team must invest in restoring the opportunity for individuals, families and businesses to benefit from their labour.

Good management of sport and the arts will help rebuild confidence. Picture: Getty Images

9. Rebuild confidence and hope through good management of sport and the arts

It is so important that the new leaders, through transparency with the community, develop programs that might address the serious economic challenges facing the state, and give its citizens and businesses confidence and hope that we can together work our way through this storm to a better place.

It has been done before and can be done again.

10. Reserved

Readers – add your own suggestions in the comments below.

You do need an overriding philosophy in which to work so No One is Left Behind.

Have a thoughtful day.

Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria

* This is part of the wording, taken from Proverbs, on the mosaic tiles on the floor of the vestibule at the entrance to the Victorian parliament.