Jeff Kennett: Andrews-Allan governments prioritised infrastructure and left services in their wake

Appeasing the CFMEU in Victoria has now got us to the point where hospitals are closing, schools do not have enough teachers, and our emergency services are losing members in droves.

At a time when Australians are confronting the worst cost-of-living disruption in decades, when we have massive housing shortages, and a rental crisis in Victoria that is the result of the state government’s overreaching land tax, you would have thought the governments, industry and unions would work together to get us all back to a safer place quickly.

That’s what my team, industry and the unions did in 1992.

Yes, there were demonstrations at the end of 1992 when we introduced our reform legislation, but after those demonstrations, union leaders met me in my office, and we worked out how we were going to rebuild Victoria’s economy.

Our most urgent need was to get Victoria’s haemorrhaging debt under control in order to support the services a state should provide.

Attracting the Formula One Grand Prix, building CityLink – which was built on time on budget – and reinvigorating the housing market all helped rebuild public confidence in the state.

The CFMEU is asking for a 21 per cent pay rise over four years. Picture: Aaron Francis

Planning Minister Robert Maclellan was instructed to make a quick decision on every planning issue that came on to his desk. If yes, the developer could get on with the job. If not, the developer could move on to his next project.

The government, private sector and the unions worked together, even if at times there was some sabre-rattling by the unions from time to time.

Today it is clear that constructive relationship does not exist.

Every service sector has or is threatening industrial action for more money and improved working conditions.

That’s because the Andrews-Allan governments have prioritised the massive infrastructure projects they are building on borrowed money, and left the need of the services in their wake.

It will be interesting to see how Jacinta Allan reacts to the CFMEU’s claim this week for a 21 per cent pay rise over four years, plus enhanced conditions.

In some ways, the CFMEU is the government. It runs the show and has been doing so for some years.

CFMEU members turned out in force. Aaron Francis / Herald Sun

It is not a crime that the CFMEU flexed its muscle for the benefit of their members.

What is a crime though is that the governments under Premiers Andrews and Allan have simply given into its demands and threats.

As a result, government projects now operate on a cost-plus arrangement with those charged with delivering the projects. There are simply no controls in place.

The CFMEU is why Allan has so irresponsibly signed contracts to build the Suburban Rail Loop.

Not because a business plan exists to justify this piece of infrastructure, but because the CFMEU demands it to provide employment for its members.

The CFMEU is not a partner with the community. The 21 per cent claim is inflationary, and will be felt by all Victorians.

The latest demands and threats by CFMEU leader John Setka to disrupt any construction undertaking entered into by the AFL unless the league sacks its head of umpiring, Stephen McBurney is outrageous.

CFMEU leader John Setka. Picture: Roy VanDerVegt

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has correctly said the AFL would not bow to such threats and will retain McBurney in his current position, or perhaps a more senior one.

Sadly, the Premier is so personally conflicted she has uttered no comment of meaning.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said little more than boasting that he led the sacking of Setka from the ALP.

Where does that leave our PM and Premier if they are so beholden to the CFMEU that they simply cannot represent the broader public interest they were elected to serve?

But worse, appeasing the CFMEU in Victoria has now got us to the point where hospitals are closing or being amalgamated, schools simply do not have enough teachers to teach our children in manageable classes, and our emergency services are losing members in droves.

And while the police officers who remain spend more of their time involved in protecting citizens and property from those who gather to spread hate.

And why, because our political leaders are providing no leadership at all. For one reason or many, through their weakness they are the greatest appeasers of all.

In a vacuum of leadership, social and or economic instability exists, and while the government remains the lapdogs of the CFMEU all Victorians are adversely affected.

Why has Dan Andrews refused to provide phone records?

Talking of leadership, or lack of it, Daniel Andrews, who has just been awarded Australia’s highest honour under suspicious circumstances, has refused to provide the phone records requested at the time his car was involved in an accident in 2013?

If he has done nothing wrong as he claims, why not produce the requested phone records, and clear the air once and for all?

Perhaps he can’t remember, or does not want to be reminded who he called – as was his claim into the hotel quarantine inquiry that cost 800 Victorian lives.

Truth ultimately wins.

Have a good day.