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Matt Johnston: Invisible man must become action man

Do you know this man’s name? If you do, you’re probably in a pretty small minority. Victoria’s opposition leader needs to raise his profile if he wants to land some punches on the Andrews Government, writes Matt Johnston.

Opposition leader Michael O'Brien must raise his profile, writes Matt Johnston. Picture: AAP
Opposition leader Michael O'Brien must raise his profile, writes Matt Johnston. Picture: AAP

If you ran a pub trivia night and wanted to stump the punters, you might ask: “Who is the Victorian opposition leader?” That could be as challenging as the music round.

If you answered Michael O’Brien, give yourself a pat on the back.

But to be fair, the recognition gig is a tough business. Liberal research deep in the last term showed a only third of people knew that Matthew Guy was the state opposition leader. And it’s worth noting that only 70 per cent knew who the premier was.

This is not a new phenomenon.

Daniel Andrews’ recognition was low in the lead-up to the 2014 election when he was opposition leader, although Labor was helped by the fact that Denis Napthine had replaced Ted Baillieu as premier midterm.

Getting to voters is difficult, even when you’re going as hard — or being smashed up as hard — as Guy and Andrews.

In March I wrote that O’Brien was trying to create a softer image than his predecessor. That was at a time when it was expected his colleagues in Canberra would lose the federal election.

When Scott Morrison dragged his team over the line, many Liberal staffers whose daily exercise was surfing LinkedIn were suddenly out of the political jobs market.

That contributed to the slow pace at which O’Brien set up his office but that slow pace is now something which is concerning some Liberals.

Victorian opposition leader Michael O'Brien will have to work hard to raise his profile among voters. Picture: Getty Images
Victorian opposition leader Michael O'Brien will have to work hard to raise his profile among voters. Picture: Getty Images

Key people are missing or still being recruited. Target seats and fundraising targets are up in the air.

The perception of lethargy festered during O’Brien’s overseas holiday last month — a holiday that was reasonable during a first term but something enemies like to chat about.

What surprises people who know the Malvern MP is that he has long set himself for the role of leader and fervently believes he will do well — but seems to give little attention to office management.

My colleague Shaun Carney wrote last week that federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese has little time to waste resetting the party and that the clock is ticking.

Although O’Brien technically has more time — state terms are four years, compared with three at the federal level — he has far fewer opportunities for exposure.

He can’t afford to cruise around, hoping to make up ground late. At some stage, a sense of urgency and clear purpose must take over.

O’Brien wants his office to be different from Matthew Guy’s. He seems to be giving shadow ministers more opportunity to contribute and maybe show a rounded team that can govern. The aim might also be to get more people to do more work.

Unfortunately the talent pool is shallow and the men and women capable of performing need something to say and they need it fast.

Michael O’Brien wants to be different from former opposition leader Matthew Guy. Picture: David Caird
Michael O’Brien wants to be different from former opposition leader Matthew Guy. Picture: David Caird

Chipping away at Andrews government problems is fine and necessary. The government’s money woes will continue and O’Brien has done a solid job of honing the message that Labor can’t manage money.

But to set an agenda and lead from the front is more difficult. Already, only eight months into the job, a few Liberals are asking, perhaps unfairly: “What has he done?”

Coming back from holidays last month myself — happily to far less criticism — I was taken aback by the number of times that question was raised.

Whether it’s fair or not, the dissatisfaction will grow until there’s action.

At some stage O’Brien must come up with something to fire the imagination of Victorians. Even if that idea or policy is nicked by his opponents, he can still own it.

There are risks associated with doing something outside the square early in the term. But calculated risks must be taken because chugging along in third gear won’t get the Liberals elected in 2022.

I hate the lazy question “what does he stand for?” but some kind of clear vision must be articulated.

O’Brien must also sharpen his method of attack. He doesn’t want to appear angry, but he needs to have a crack. He doesn’t want to lower the tone of debate, but his opponents will play dirty.

Daniel Andrews’ recognition was low in the lead-up to the 2014 election. Picture: AAP
Daniel Andrews’ recognition was low in the lead-up to the 2014 election. Picture: AAP

There is a treasure trove of issues tearing at Labor’s fabric at the moment, from corruption probes through to energy woes — but too few opposition punches are landing.

O’Brien can’t rely on Labor falling apart or on cocky new MPs blowing themselves up — something senior ALP strategists consider an ever-present risk.

Time is running out for O’Brien, even eight months into a four-year slog.

One thing working in O’Brien’s favour is that there isn’t a leadership rival waiting in the wings.

That’s not to say some colleagues aren’t preening themselves in the mirror, believing they would do a better job.

MORE FROM MATT JOHNSTON:

SOLAR SCHEME WILL DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD UNLESS ITS FIXED

GROWING STENCH FOR GOVERNMENT OF RECYCLING PROBLEM

MELBOURNE’S STORY AT RISK OF BECOMING TALE OF TWO CITIES

Matthew Guy attracted incredible loyalty from most MPs when he was opposition leader.

He also had what some dubbed “Matthew’s mates” to protect him fiercely.

Will O’Brien manage to generate such unity? How strong are Michael’s mates?

At the moment that may not matter but further down the track it might

O’Brien will have to lead with vision and urgency, showing the waverers he has what it takes. Otherwise he might end up a quiz night brainteaser.

Matt Johnston is state politics editor

matthew.johnston@news.com.au

@Media_Matt

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/matt-johnston-invisible-man-must-become-action-man/news-story/081c5483436cd2202078e979d401dba0