IBAC finding delivers a blow to the credibility of governance

IBAC finding delivers a blow to the credibility of governance

How comforting it is to learn that the malfeasance pervading the Andrews government is merely “improper political influence” that might lead to corruption (“IBAC delivers blow to Andrews’ integrity”, 19/4). The hordes of staff in the Department of Premier and Cabinet are employed to extend Daniel Andrews’ tentacles into every aspect of government and executive.

The Westminster principle of a separation of powers no longer exists in Victoria, which is now a corporate state. As these revelations about lack of due process in the relationship between the then Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Workers Union demonstrate, this age-old principle is flouted in our state, just as surely as it was in the Queensland of Joh Bjelke-Petersen. Of more concern, this culture persists even in the Victorian police and the courts, as we saw during Victoria’s lockdown.

John Morrissey, Hawthorn, Vic

Diversity divas

Janet Albrechtsen is right that HR practitioners have quite successfully entrenched their position at or very close to board level in many corporations. Their success in doing so, regrettably, can lead to a displacement, disengagement or reduced representation at the top of leadership, of people who actually can create, manage and sustain the lifeblood of companies – its cashflow, its products and its relationship with customers.

Like its cousins, the IT and finance departments, HR is a part of the “corporate camp” whose sole corporate purpose is to provide support to, but not be a part of, the leadership that controls the strategic direction of the company or organisation. HR should be invited into the board meeting to provide advice and then quickly be sent away.

Peter Thornton, Killara, NSW

Budget Chalmers

I agree with most of Peter van Onselen’s column (“This is not an either or moment over reform”, 18/4). But I think he gets Jim Chalmers very wrong. I honestly can’t say that I’ve seen a decent treasurer since the days of Paul Keating, Bob Hawke, John Howard and Peter Costello, who he correctly references as excellent performers all around. Chalmers is nowhere in that league. Those indeed were the days.

Robin Billen, Toorak, Vic

Hot topic

In his response to much detailed criticisms of the Bureau of Meteorology temperature recording and reporting, Andrew Johnson (Letters, 19/4) seems to have explained the methodology and equipment aspects in reasonable detail. But there is a very strange absence of any comment on the many puzzling points reported by non-BOM scientists that seem to show a consistent push by the BOM to reveal a greater warming trend than the raw data suggests.

Gerry Power, Bowral, NSW

Andrew Johnson claims the Bureau of Meteorology leads the world in quality monitoring of weather data. This is exemplified by how well the official long-term temperature trend for Australia matches the global increase in carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere.

This was achieved by “homogenising” the actual data, which showed peaks around 1900, 1930, 1950 and 2000 with troughs between them. The original pattern is quite consistent with data from most other countries and the measurements taken over the oceans as reported by the IPCC. But altering data is not acceptable in any science.

Ian Wilson, Chapel Hill, Qld

AFL needs headgear

Gary Ablett, the renowned AFL footballer and spectacular goal-kicker for Geelong, has made a claim for compensation because he is suffering from CTE (“Ablett legal team gears up for fight with AFL”, 18/4). Ablett was known for his spectacular marks which were nearly always followed by a hard fall. More claims will flood in. They should also think seriously about head protection for the players. I know the decision to make wearing helmets compulsory will be universally unpopular, but it will mean the players either wear a helmet or sign a waiver.

Lizzie Haydon, Runcorn, Qld