While there is no doubt the tax changes have boosted Labor’s stocks and morale each passing parliamentary sitting day with daily damaging evidence emerging from Senate estimates committees makes it clear that there is a need for more than just a tax giveaway.
What’s more, Peter Dutton’s previously successful tactic of “wildebeest hunting”, where the Opposition picks relentlessly at a weakened minister to diminish the strength of the herd, is re-emerging with Andrew Giles’s handling of the Immigration portfolio and the release of 149 criminals.
But more ministers are being accused of mismanaging their portfolios with Defence Minister Richard Marles admitting he’s basically at war with his department, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus being quizzed about why he didn’t talk action after a clear warning before the High Court’s decision last year forcing the release of the immigration detainees and the blackouts in Victoria will put new pressure on Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen over the reliability of the electricity grid.
As well there are the residual questions about Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney after the failure of the Indigenous voice to parliament referendum and Labor’s walking away from its promises to Indigenous Australians.
So far this week the opposition’s tactic has been to ask Giles every question in parliament using embarrassing facts coming from departmental officials that the minister has been unable to answer.
For two days running the Prime Minister has had to clean up after Giles’ inept performance or inability to defend his lack of action on key decisions relating to the released detainees.
It’s worse again on Wednesday as the AFP reveals how many of the released detainees have been charged with new offences after being released, some for repeat offences.
Last year Dutton said there were some weak wildebeest on Labor’s front bench and used his attacks on them to turn political momentum his way. The tax cuts shifted momentum back to Labor in January but the government should be aware that the wildebeest calving season and major migration is in February and March.
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