Jeff Kennett: Victorian government now exists only to serve its own interests — and its mates

Is the Allan government so punch drunk after Dan Andrews’ leadership that it will not act in the state’s interest and cancel the most expensive white elephant ever commissioned by an Australian government?

Victorians, one and all, we are being led like lambs to slaughter, and no one seems to care.

Have we become so mute that we just lie back and accept the actions of a government that treats us differently than their own families. Are the members of the government so punch drunk as a result of Daniel Andrews’s leadership that they will not act in the state’s interest and require their government to govern for all, not some.

The government cannot be allowed to sign contracts for the Suburban Rail Loop. It will cost hundreds of billions of dollars – money we simply do not have and cannot afford.

We are already the highest taxed population in the country – our daily interest bill of about $18m a day is unsustainable.

The Suburban Rail Loop Authority’s chairman James Merlino, a former deputy premier to Andrews, has no commercial experience at all.

A recipe for another major cost blowout if the project goes ahead.

The Suburban Rail Loop Authority’s chairman James Merlino, a former deputy premier to Andrews, has no commercial experience at all. Picture: Jason Edwards

Merlino also has a conflict of interest as a board member of the Hawthorn Football Club which is in negotiations with the authority to buy part of Hawthorn’s land at Dingley.

If IBAC does not get a reference to investigate in detail the circumstances in which the authority came into being, and who got the benefit of the secret preparatory work, then at least there should be an Upper House inquiry.

Maybe a Senate inquiry might be better, more independent, as the federal government has committed $2.5bn to this project, which will be the most expensive white elephant ever commissioned by an Australian government.

We now hear the government is to appoint five “independent umpires’’ who will oversee the state’s treaty negotiations at salaries and allowances in excess of $400,000. It is immoral.

It’s an “up yours” to our teachers and police officers. Both professions have members who are leaving in droves for many reasons, pay being just one.

I will be the first to salute Premier Jacinta Allan if she starts making the decisions that have to be made to stop Victoria’s slide into financial chaos. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

One group of employees working in the Big Build tunnels, recently achieved a new set of employment conditions, part of which was a travel to work allowance of $55 a day. Or $275 a week on top of their base salaries of about $300,000 a year.

This government is so out of touch with reality. It exists only to serve its own interests and its mates.

Ombudsman Deborah Glass is expected to release a report on Wednesday on the politicisation
of Victoria’s public service.

Is anyone surprised? It will not be long before you will not get a job in Victoria if you are not a card-carrying or red-shirt member of the ALP.

Such politicisation is much part of Victoria’s economic and reputational decline. It’s allegiance before competency at the highest level in so many cases. This applies to both the heads of the public service and some appointments of ex-politicians.

Merlino, I mentioned before and Martin Pakula as chairman of the Grand Prix Corporation is another. Nice guy. Talks a lot. Was major events minister. But no commercial experience. His former boss Andrews did the most expensive and uncommercial deal with the owners of Formula 1. Just wait until the full details are released.

If the government won’t cancel the Suburban Rail Loop, delay it until all other Big Build projects are completed, then review Victoria’s financial position. Picture: Suburban Rail Loop Authority

Yes, we have this Andrews/Allan government for another three years.

I desperately want good government for the state.

I will be the first to salute Premier Jacinta Allan if she starts making the decisions that have to be made to stop Victoria’s slide into financial chaos and reputational irrelevance.

I will salute any of her team who will hold their Cabinet colleagues to account to start turning the ship of state around before we run aground. There is no way Allan, or any Cabinet minister would do to their family what they are doing to Victoria.

But what about us, the community of Victoria? Why are we letting this happen? If we do not start to stand up consistently, we will have no-one but ourselves to blame.

Forget the partisan politics of this challenge, it is one of commonsense, more so survival.

State services have been deteriorating for years as borrowed money is spent on the Big Build projects which are behind schedule and over budget.

We must stand up and say enough is enough so the government changes some of its priorities.

The first step must be the cancellation of the Suburban Rail Loop. If the government won’t do that, delay it until all other Big Build projects are completed, then review Victoria’s financial position.

The government is squandering our future. Victorians we need to wake up to reality.

Have a good day.

Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria