Minister struggles to maintain his respect

THREE months ago, former AFL footballer turned politician Justin Madden was given the salubrious title as the nation's first minister for respect.

THREE months ago and with much fanfare, former AFL footballer turned politician Justin Madden was given the salubrious title as the nation's first minister for respect.

But since Premier John Brumby added the "respect agenda" portfolio to Madden's existing planning responsibilities, the minister has done little to encourage respect for his own abilities, or politicians in general.

The towering 206cm former ruckman has lurched from one crisis to another, and along the way exposed the political spin cycle for all it is in Victoria.

Madden, Minister for Planning and the Respect Agenda, had already received a parliamentary vote of no-confidence last year after allegations were aired that his office was linked to corruption at a suburban council.

It got much worse in February when his media adviser, Peta Duke, accidently sent a document titled "Justin Madden Media Plan" to a reporter at the ABC.

The email recommended using a sham public consultation process on the controversial development of Melbourne's Windsor Hotel to reject the proposal.

Opinion has been divided over the $260 million revamp of the 1883 hotel, which includes building a 92m tower behind it.

The media adviser has since been redeployed from Madden's office and a couple of weeks later Madden announced that the project had been approved.

In what was described as a rather painful press conference, Madden had to be corrected by his new media adviser about how many floors the 26-storey building had, as he accidently added 11 floors.

Brushing off calls for his resignation, it only got worse for the former Essendon footballer when an upper house parliamentary committee decided to hold an inquiry on the issue and subpoenaed Duke and other staff from Madden's office to give evidence.

They have refused and it has now deteriorated into a legal fight between the non-Labor dominated parliamentary committee and Attorney-General Rob Hulls, who is advising Duke and the others not to give evidence.

Madden's credibility as a minister was not helped by further revelations in the past few weeks that he spent $36,000 of taxpayer funds for a US trip to spruik Victoria's sustainability credentials, including a free upgrade to first class, and did not know his cousin was involved in a land rezoning application.

The state opposition is baying for Madden's blood. There is not a lot of respect going around.