Jeff Kennett: Weak politicians trying to tear down those who succeed should stick to their knitting

Universities have become the new whipping boys for our lazy politicians’ failure and now big-box retailers, such as Bunnings, are in their sights. These socialists should stick to their knitting.

We have seen how lazy politicians on all sides have demonised supermarkets because of their own failures in managing the affairs of the country to bring on what may be the longest cost of living economic and social disaster since the Great Depression.

Now the federal government, on the basis of the number of people entering the country, and our inability to build sufficient accommodation for those already here, has held the universities totally to blame.

How can anyone build sufficient accommodation, with increasing government planning controls, red tape and costs?

The lack of tradesmen and women because so many are working on government infrastructure projects at higher salaries than can be afforded in the general building sector.

Hardly the fault of our universities, which is why they are the new whipping boys on the block for government failure.

Universities are firstly places of education and ideas.

Universities are firstly places of education and ideas.

It is true many seem to have put business and financial growth, size, as the justification for their existence.

And yes, they are and should be accountable.

I would rather universities get back to core business. Reduce the number of courses on offer to those society needs and might need, lift the entrance scores much higher, and let those factors decide university numbers.

Not one-off stupid ideas like capping the number of students. Earn the right to higher education, by scholarship or other.

Bunnings is one of Australia’s great success stories. Picture: Supplied

There is now talk that federal politicians are going to investigate the commercial operations of large box retailers, such as Bunnings.

What is the matter with these socialists?

Bunnings is one of Australia’s great success stories.

They employ tens of thousands of Australians, in particular young Australians who supplement their incomes for education or living expenses.

These same politicians are continually proving they can’t do their primary job and look after the country through the levers they have and should be pulling.

Now another group of large employers and huge taxpayers are potentially going to have to devote hours of time, millions of dollars, preparing to be subjected and perhaps again threatened with jail sentences by politicians who have never run a business.

The country requires leadership, not short-term populism by weak politicians with little or no commercial experience, attempting to tear down those who succeed. Picture: Martin Ollman

Put an end to this sheer stupidity, again recognise that unless you have a healthy and private sector there is no way governments can employ all Australians, and no way governments will attract the taxes and charges to spend on normal services let alone those with uncontrollable growth expenditures such as the NDIS.

The country requires leadership, not short term populism by weak politicians with little or no commercial experience, attempting to tear down those who succeed.

Politicians need to stick to their knitting.

Misuse of our arts

Recently here in Victoria and New South Wales we have seen some of our creative souls use the arts organisation of which they are part, or where they perform, to express their feelings about the sadness that is the Middle East at the moment.

Their participation is grossly misplaced and puts at risk the fabric and maybe the existence of the organisations.

Patrons and audiences go to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to hear music, song, recitals that might have been written centuries ago. The same with ballet and opera.

We go for musical stimulation, for reflection, not to become part of events that not only occur outside the theatre but overseas.

We don’t need Peter Garrett to tell us how to run the MSO. Picture: Craig Warhurst

I am not against actors, musicians exercising their concerns, but not in an inappropriate place where they hijack the audience.

Now the MSO Board has appointed Peter Garrett to do an investigation into the MSO.

The MSO is a Victorian arts institution, it took us years to build it to full strength in the 90s. We don’t need Peter Garrett to tell us how to run the MSO.

If people do not like working in a workplace it is not compulsory. Go where you are happy.

It is time our Arts organisations established a spine that put their core business first, in order that they can continue to serve the public thirst for the arts and maybe even exist.

 

Footy Bonanza

What an exciting year the teams of the AFL have produced to finish with the final home and away round determining who will play in the finals.

Massive crowds throughout the year, right up until the weekend.

Now the serious part starts, and no one can be confident of the result for the two teams that compete in the Grand Final.

What is wonderful is of the eight teams in the finals, four are interstate teams, four from Victoria.

Proof again that the AFL is truly Australia’s national competition.

The AFL is also providing relief to millions of Aussies, from the stresses of the day, and of course the impact of the cost of living.

Congratulations to the AFL.

Best to all, but Go Hawks.

Jeff Kennett is a former premier of Victoria