Editorial: Let the party games begin

EDITORIAL: It’s a funny old game, politics: how it can turn roosters into feather dusters and just as quickly turn them right back again. Tasmanians are about to witness a perfect example

Madeleine Ogilvie

IT’S a funny old game, politics: how it can turn roosters into feather dusters, and just as quickly turn them right back again. Tasmanians are about to witness a perfect example when — in all likelihood — Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon’s shock resignation sees Labor’s black sheep (turned independent) Madeleine Ogilvie return to the parliament on a countback. Yep, the woman the Labor Party brutally and unashamedly froze out in recent years and at the last election itself could well be soon taking a seat off them. What do they say about hell having no such fury?

One can certainly only assume Ms Ogilvie’s anger burns as brightly as it did when she quit the party after the last election (she has given no indication it does not). Therefore, a declaration by the Electoral Commission that she is indeed the next-in-line for the seat vacated by Mr Bacon would be a moment just as significant as any of the earthquakes rogue Liberal Speaker Sue Hickey has set off in the Parliament over the past 18 months. We would — at that moment — go from a situation where Labor and the Greens can overrule the Government by convincing Ms Hickey to vote with them, to one where the Government potentially no longer needs Ms Hickey’s casting vote.

And here’s the rub: Ms Ogilvie leans politically perhaps further to the Right than Ms Hickey on many social issues. That means Ms Ogilvie’s natural tendencies on at least some policies would be to side with the Liberal Government, even when she’s not using her vote to settle old scores.

Late last night, Ms Ogilvie had yet to announce if she would contest the countback. If she doesn’t, Labor’s former radio host candidate Tim Cox would likely win. But Ms Ogilvie did (unsuccessfully) contest the recent Nelson Legislative Council election as an independent. And after the news of Mr Bacon’s resignation broke, she posted on her Facebook a link to AC/DC’s classic anthem It’s a Long Way to the Top.

Meanwhile, Mr Bacon says his decision to leave politics was not one made lightly. Knowing all the above, one would hope not. He says it is because “it is the right time to take on a new challenge”. Labor leader Rebecca White said it was because Mr Bacon wanted “to refocus his priorities” — a decision she said she fully respected. Mr Bacon has young children. And politics demands a commitment that takes its toll on family life. The Mercury wishes him all the very best.

In his nearly 10 years in State Parliament Mr Bacon has built a career that has distinguished him from his father’s enormous legacy. At the last election he proved he was there on his own merits, winning the most votes of any candidate in the seat then called Denison. After a stint as minister for tourism and finance in the last government, he has since carved out a niche as a workmanlike shadow treasurer. He has a sharp mind and a sharp wit, and he is a good parliamentary performer. He is approachable and dedicated to using his position to help his constituents.

On this, it was telling that Ms White’s tribute included a call-out to Mr Bacon’s “tireless electorate officer Jenni McLeod” for helping “thousands of people over the years, often where other service providers and government departments have failed”. This is the mark of a good local member. And at the end of the day, the primary job of all MPs should be just that.