Victorian premiers, past and present, join ABC presenter Jon Faine for his farewell show
Victorian premiers, past and present, join ABC presenter Jon Faine for his farewell show.
Victorian premiers past, present and hopeful joined ABC presenter Jon Faine for his farewell show, with the exception of Denis Napthine and Jeff Kennett.
Nearly 1800 loyal listeners filled Melbourne Town Hall for the final broadcast but it was Kennett’s absence that drew Faine’s attention.
Faine said former Liberal premier Napthine had the good excuse of hosting his own community radio show in Victoria’s southwest at the same time.
“Jeff Kennett just told me he wasn’t able to be here,” Faine said.
The Labor premiers present laughed and Steve Bracks, Labor premier from 1999 to 2007, said he’d replaced a premier (Kennett) who was seen as “arrogant and out of touch”.
Faine asked Bracks if he had simply played on that perception of Kennett or whether it was real.
“It was real, of course it was real,” Bracks said.
The politicians present were asked how Victoria had changed in the past 23 years, when Faine began hosting Melbourne’s ABC Morning show, and what were the challenges it faced.
John Cain, Labor premier from 1982 to 1990, said there had been a decline in the effectiveness of political parties as they had failed to deliver on policy like they used to.
He also said there was a decline in critical thinking and people accepting responsibility, not just for themselves.
Current premier Daniel Andrews said Victoria was now more confident in its position as a national leader referring to the state’s stance on treaty and family violence.
“That national leadership I think we have got better and better at,” he said.
Wonderful part of starting my day in Melbourne was listening to Jon Faine’s final @abcmelbourne broadcast in the car. Jon will be missed on the radio - he is intelligent, diligent + principled. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/dIvL44msT5
— Tanya Plibersek (@tanya_plibersek) October 10, 2019
Faine asked Andrews whether his main critics were now from the left, claiming he wasn’t progressive enough. Andrews said politicians should be pushed and challenged.
“This is the progressive centre of Australia politics, we should be proud of that,” Mr Andrews said.
Ted Baillieu, Liberal premier from 2010 to 2013, said most governments did good things but also made mistakes.
He said the global population would grow by 40 per cent in the next 30 years with much of the growth in the Indian Ocean region. “We need to reach out internationally,” he said.
Faine said it sounded like Baillieu was criticising Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
“The reality is we have to engage because it’s on our border,” Baillieu said.
“The answer is to find a way.”
Baillieu also said there needed to be more scrutiny of politicians which could start with the ABC bringing back Stateline.
#Faine - Jon always stood for the very best in public broadcasting and fearless, independent journalism. Intelligence, tenacity, altruism and kindness were just some of his hallmarks. Such a memorable professional journey. Thanks for everything. #ABCMelbourne.
— Mark Scott (@mscott) October 10, 2019
Faine asked the politicians whether politics had become too tribal.
Andrews referred to the euthanasia bill and said there were things worth fighting for.
“I think the system is at its best,” he said.
Bracks said he didn’t think politics was more tribal than previously, referring to the Labor Party after World War II.
John Brumby, Labor premier from 2007 to 2010, said politics was probably tougher in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. He said the best reforms came about when politicians had a free vote.
He said while there couldn’t be free votes on every issue, governments should identify more opportunities for free votes.
Faine will be replaced by Virginia Trioli.
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