Jeff Kennett: Labor and the divisive Greens would make an unholy alliance

If the Prime Minister and the opposition were half genuine, both of the major parties would put the bottom-feeder Greens last on their how-to-vote cards — but if Labor forms government again, we should fear becoming a Victorian-style economic lost case.

What a world of contrasts we live in at the moment!

On one hand you have the wonderful spectacle of the Gather Round of Football in South Australia which from all accounts paid massive dividends to the South Australian economy with everyone enjoying the experience.

On the other we have US President Trump continuing to disrupt the world with his on/off tariff policies, while the Chinese who seem to be bearing the brunt of his disdain, just quietly respond to Trumps words with deeds.

The Chinese always just take their time. They rarely rush in, they think and work in years, and decades, not days, weeks and months.

The potential damage that Mr Trump is causing, the US relationships with its allies and countries such as Australia, can only have one result, a breakdown in trust, maybe worse, broken trust, certainly as long as Mr Trump remains the occupant of the White House.

Australia is going to be subject to the fallout of the Trump decisions, to what extent we may not know for some time.

US President Trump is continuing to disrupt the world with his on/off tariff policies. Picture: AFP

As I said last week, Australians are a generous community, we are good people, but we have been very complacent as a nation over the last 60 years. That complacency is not the fault of the citizens of Australia, except perhaps in the way we think and vote.

Increasingly we are voting for those who promise us more cash or financial assistance.

Not what is best for the country, which if we did would be best for community.

It is the politicians that have let us down, increasingly so.

Sadly, that priority is often so sadly matched by the ideology and mismanagement of governments. No more obvious than here in Victoria.

While Australia is a much bigger economy than Victoria, the political parties knowing Australia has a national debt approaching a trillion dollars, are traversing the country offering billions of dollars simply to buy our electoral support.

Much of this expenditure is to fund recurrent expenditures, which is expenditures that must be spent every year after the policy is introduced. Some is for capital expenditures that of course will be spread over many years and if well managed will add to Australia’s efficiency and productivity.

You don’t have to be an economist to know most of the offering from all political parties do not address the fundamental challenges facing the country. Picture: Jason Edwards

Often, I feel as though I am living in a different universe!

You don’t have to be an economist to know most of the offerings from all political parties do not address the fundamental challenges facing the country. Productivity, debt and vision.

Housing initiatives of billions of dollars are being offered, but who is going to build the required number of houses required for our growing population?

Reducing the student numbers to Australia will not help our hospitals, schools, or building houses.

Stop generalised immigration for three years, but welcome qualified nurses, doctors, teachers and tradesmen and women.

Politicians should stop trying to please everyone and address Australia’s needs first.

As I mentioned above there is so much to like about Australian life. Things that we can do as families and enjoy.

But who is looking after the office?

Who is being responsible for managing the economy well, that the pleasure we derive as Australians can be there for future generations?

We are living on a sea of quicksand, hopping from stone to stone to avoid being consumed by the failed management of our affairs.

Victoria is a totally lost case economically, and with declining consequences socially. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Winning government is one thing, and is increasingly easy, just promise more benefits to your electors, but being a good government is an entirely different.

So, we will soon pass judgement on those who offer themselves individually or collectively for our federal parliament.

I have a real fear that if Labor is re-elected, they will form government with the support of the Greens. An unholy alliance.

As I have said before if the Prime Minister and the opposition were half genuine, both of the major parties would put the Greens last on their how-to-vote cards.

The Greens are divisive. They feed at the bottom of the ocean, making policy decisions they know could not be implemented.

Victoria is a totally lost case economically, and with declining consequences socially.

I fear if Labor forms government again federally, what we have seen here in Victoria will start to be implemented federally, such as the introduction of the tax on “unrealised profits”, on assets individuals, families and businesses hold.

Such a tax would be worse than the hike in Land Tax here in Victoria, because you will be paying tax on the increased paper profits of your unsold assets.

Ridiculous! This is a socialistic tax, supported by Labor and the Greens, a tax that I do not think exists in any other country in the world.

It is all so disappointing.

Stay well.

Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria