Graham Richardson: Victorian government and Daniel Andrews are increasingly resilient

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to media during a press conference. Picture: AAP

The government of Victoria, and its Premier Daniel Andrews are proving to be increasingly resilient. Under constant media and Opposition attack, it is truly amazing that Labor retains its lead in the polls.

Labor scored 51 per cent on a two-party preferred basis, according to a YouGov Galaxy poll conducted for the Sunday Herald Sun. Daniel Andrews remains the preferred premier over Opposition Leader Matthew Guy across the past 18 months, 40 per cent to 33 per cent.

The so called “Red Shirts” affair appears to have a life of its own. It is a story which cannot be killed. We should all remember that this ugly story was running wild two years ago. The Victorian ombudsman investigated the affair and could not recommend criminal charges being laid. She even wrote a personal note to the Police Commissioner expressing that view. There was a police investigation which finished without any charges being laid against anyone.

It is worth mentioning that the rules governing the use of electorate staff for election purposes were, according to the ombudsman, vague enough to create a grey area and that makes these second police investigation difficult to grasp. The criminal test is about a jury finding beyond a reasonable doubt. After the ombudsman investigation it is hard to see that test being met. Yet young men and women have been dragged from their beds by the gendarmerie. At least the notion that the Police Commissioner, Graham Ashton, is too close to the Andrews government has been well and truly belted out of the ground.

Of course, it seems that when we are talking about politicians’ entitlements the rules seem to be deliberately vague so as to enable almost anything. Travel rorts have become so common place and yet there still seems to be a tendency for some pollies to push the envelope. Presently, we have examples of Commonwealth cars being used to ferry backbenchers around when they are in their home city. Even as far back when I was a back bencher I thought this practice was banned unless you were representing a Minister at a function. Even then you would decline the limousine and drive yourself because it was a better look. In any event in this Victorian drama, the Labor Party repaid every penny of the money way back when the ombudsman report was released.

There must be something very special about Andrews or something way off with the Opposition Leader Matthew Guy for the polls to still have Labor in front. The constant criticism over the lack of real police action on Sudanese gangs refuses to die down. It seems there are several incidents each week to keep this story going yet it also seems to have little effect on voting intentions. If those stories weren’t bad enough, then the bail laws look weak or ineffective. Given that the government did tighten the bail laws I could be forgiven for thinking that the magistracy may well be displaying their dislike of the new bail regime. Whatever the cause, Andrews’ popularity seems to continually withstand this negative onslaught.

Meanwhile Labor insiders tell me they are getting ready to hurl some serious allegations back at the Liberal Opposition.

There is an old saying about how hard life can be in the world of acting — “Don’t put your daughter on the stage, Mrs Worthington”. My advice would be don’t put her into politics either.