Jeff Kennett: Jacinta Allan can’t be surprised by public anger
ABUSING a minister and her family is appalling, but Jacinta Allan can’t be shocked by anger within the taxi industry, writes Jeff Kennett.
Opinion
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VERBAL or physical threats against anyone are appalling and potentially a criminal offence. That said, I was surprised when state government minister Jacinta Allan complained that threats had been made against her and her family over reforms to the taxi industry.
I don’t remember her protesting against the threats and intimidation made by CFMEU members against those they disagree with or threats made by United Firefighters Union against their leadership or the Premier. It seems there’s one rule for Allan and one for everyone else.
The Minister for Public Transport oversaw and drove the cruellest destruction of collective and individual wealth when she brutalised the Victorian taxi industry. People who had worked hard, honourably and had paid taxes all their lives overnight saw their assets destroyed.
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What I consider to be her ham-fisted reforms were at odds with the way her government treated commercial fishermen in Port Phillip Bay — those licences were cancelled but the fishermen were paid out handsomely, one getting at least a seven-figure figure.
Allan could certainly have achieved her desire to regulate ride sharing without destroying the assets of those in the taxi industry and she could have done it at no cost to the taxpayers of Victoria.
But ideology ruled the day and thousands of Victorian families blame Allan for a burden of debt they may never be able to repay. Houses are being repossessed because banks no longer recognise licences as an asset against which they will lend money.
No tears seem to be shed by Allan for the financial and emotional hardship she has caused to individuals and families.
It always amuses me how the Labor Party has double standards.
Consider these issues:
PREMIER Daniel Andrews said he would rip up the contracts to build the East West Freeway but at no cost to the Victorian taxpayer.
Instead we paid $1.2 billion for nothing. Consequences for the government? None to date.
BEFORE the last election the Victorian Labor Party used public funds to advance its electoral interests and attempted to prevent the Ombudsman examining and reporting her findings using more taxpayer funds. They paid back some of the rorted funds but not all. Consequences? None to date.
FROM its election in 2014, Labor has been attempting to destroy our volunteer CFA service in order to give greater control of our fire services to their aligned United Firefighter Union. Two hundred years of volunteering is being undermined by ideology and those who opposed have been forced from office: minister Jane Garrett and CFA chief Lucinda Nolan. Consequences? None to date.
JACINTA Allan imposes reforms on an industry, reforms that have huge financial and social ramifications for those affected, reforms that are inconsistent with any test of fairness. Consequences? None to date.
And my list could go on.
Allan is complaining about the attention that is being focused on her. I understand her concern and in no way condone such abuse. But you should treat others as you would want to be treated.
IN a recent column, I saluted the long and active lives of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, aged 92 and 96 years respectively. I said activity, mental or physical, should be the order of the day for all of us to ward off illness and loss of mental capacity. I said that, for me, retirement equates with death.
I have had several comments. It was said the royal family live privileged lives where everything is done for them. That, in part, may be correct but their lives in the public eye are still demanding.
There were also comments that said retirement does not mean inactivity. Certainly it does not, but that is my point. One should be active in retirement. For some that might be volunteering, it might be looking after grandchildren, gardening, playing sport, going to the theatre or even overseas travel.
The point is to be busy so that we go to bed each night physically and mentally tired, sleep well and start the next day fresh. Hopefully “retirement” will increasingly be irrelevant.
Remember, girls born today might well live to be 100, boys not much less. There is a lot of living to do if one “retires” at 60 with 40 years to go.
FINALLY there is talk about changes to superannuation. Both major political parties have made changes to this important aspect of life in recent years and are committing to future changes. The public is confused and annoyed. How can we plan for our non-earning years and be independent of government pensions when governments keep changing the rules?
If ever there was a case for bipartisanship on an issue this has got to be it. If changes are required to superannuation laws and regulations, make them but then leave them in place for 25 years.
Continuing change will result in more people giving up and going back on to government support.
Have a good day.
Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria
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