Jeff Kennett: Major parties can’t ignore voters’ anger

THE Wentworth by-election showed the major parties need to reassess their values or the nation faces another decade of wasted opportunities, writes Jeff Kennett.

MY MILITARY training as an officer, my frequent reading of history and experience in watching football games over the past 60 years offers me a telling lesson in life. A battle lost in the course of a war does not decide the outcome of the war. That is also true in politics.

The Wentworth by-election was a repudiation of both the major political parties. It was, of course, a consequential moment for the governing Coalition. Its ability to govern between now and the next election will be a public test of bold leadership, unity of purpose and Cabinet resolve.

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With six months before the next federal election, the result is a known unknown. Remember, a week really is a long time in politics. The Wentworth by-election was the result of unusual circumstances. The Coalition’s cause was not helped by the fact that the person responsible for the poll did not have the inclination or judgment to help the party that gave him the wonderful opportunity to lead the country.

Malcolm Turnbull’s deliberate absence made the task harder for the Liberal candidate, Dave Sharma. However, Turnbull’s behaviour was only one factor. During the two weeks before the election, the government issued confusing comments and policy statements. It seemed distracted, amateurish and bogged down.

The fact that the possible return of former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce to his party’s top job — and the deputy prime ministership — was feverishly discussed in the media sent a shudder down the spine of every Australian, as it should have. He is simply not fit to hold high public office.

The biggest and most telling issue that came out of Wentworth was the drop in the primary vote of both the major parties; the Liberals dropped by about 18 per cent and the ALP by about 11 per cent.

Malcolm Turnbull’s deliberate absence made the task harder for the Liberal candidate, Dave Sharma. Picture: AAP

That was an unambiguous message from voters but it’s unlikely that it will be repeated in a general election. Even so, even half that figure would result in a very different federal parliament and potentially another three years of policy confusion, stagnation and loss of opportunities.

The country needs both major parties to get their houses in order and offer voters much more than they are currently serving up. Leadership based on a genuine vision is long overdue.

The public want to know where today’s legislators want to take the country by 2050. They want to see evidence of progress that will deliver a sense of comfort, stability, opportunity and reward — and a future for our children. That narrative must be explained coherently.

If the major parties can’t do that, expect voters to turn to those high-profile people who are standing — and winning — as independents. That could certainly happen in the state election in the seat of Geelong where former mayor Darryn Lyons has indicated he intends to contest the “safe” Labor seat.

Lyons led the Geelong council but, despite being democratically elected by the ratepayers, he was sacked by the ALP state government. As mayor, Lyons challenged the establishment but importantly gave Geelong a high profile beyond the city.

The seat of Geelong could easily become Labor’s Wentworth. Nothing is secure any more; nothing can be taken for granted. Wentworth has proved that.

We are in a period of continuing political uncertainty as elections loom here, in NSW and federally. Nothing is certain. There will be change unless leaders think clearly, think in the long term and without fear.

Former mayor Darryn Lyons has indicated he intends to contest the ‘safe’ Labor seat of Geelong. Picture: Mitch Bear

IN LIFE, standards set by our leaders become the standards of the community. Where the standards are seen to be inappropriate or unacceptable, change follows.

We can all disagree with a party’s policies from time to time, but we should always insist on the highest standards of governance from our politicians.

In Victoria, the state election will be a test of voters. What standards we want from our next government?

If we choose to ignore fraud, the expensive dishonouring of contracts, destruction of individual and family assets and the disregard of the Westminster system that has served us well for almost 200 years, we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

The signs are clear — voters are not happy. They are disillusioned. They want, need and expect better from elected leaders.

We are at a pivotal time in global history. we cannot afford errors, poor public policy, insularity or personality politics.

The major parties must reassess their standards, work together and in a more collegiate manner and live by the standards most Australian families expect.

Otherwise we face another wasted decade, with unique, golden opportunities lost and the next generation left to salvage what it can from an era of second-rate governing that will have cost the nation dearly.

Have a good day.

Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria

@jeff_kennett