December 13 2018 Union influence shines in McGowan reshuffle Today’s ministerial reshuffle by Premier McGowan highlights the influence of the union movement over the Government with the worst performing Ministers holding on to their portfolios. Opposition Leader Mike Nahan said Education Minister Sue Ellery and Corrective Services Minister Fran Logan were abject failures in their portfolios, but the influence of their unions ensured they would continue as Ministers. “The number of bungles, backflips and broken promises by Minister Ellery were sufficient to warrant a different Minister be handed responsibility for education,” Dr Nahan said. “It is more than ironic that the Premier has announced the reshuffle on the anniversary of Minister Ellery’s biggest bungle in Education, when she announced a series of cuts to various education programs, only to commence a cycle of backflips in the months following. “Likewise, we have the prison system lurching from crisis to crisis, and the hapless Minister who has a record of failure in other portfolios, is failing to accept any responsibility, failing to show any leadership and simply outsourcing blame. “That Minister Logan continues to hold the Corrective Services portfolio is a reflection on the Premier’s lack of control of his own government and the excessive influence of the union movement.” Dr Nahan said the influence of unions was also reflected in the fact Minister Ben Wyatt, who has no union backing, was stripped of the Energy portfolio because he made decisions that upset Labor’s union masters. “He privatised energy assets and he has failed to dance to the tune of the unions involved in the energy markets,” Dr Nahan said. “Minister Wyatt’s replacement, Bill Johnston, is a product of the union movement and it is deeply concerning that he will now be overseeing the Energy portfolio. “As Shadow Energy Minister, Bill Johnston articulated a policy of 50% renewable energy similar to South Australia’s, a policy that can now become a likelihood but is not needed in Western Australia with our cleaner, more reliable energy mix. “Businesses are likely to see prices increase significantly if Minister Johnston can go back to the reform agenda he articulated in Opposition.” Dr Nahan said the allocation of Lands to Minister Wyatt and Ports to Minister MacTiernan showed Minister Saffioti was struggling in her portfolios. “Handing over Lands to Minister Wyatt, a Minister who has form when it comes to privatising assets, shows the McGowan Government will continue to pursue the privatisation of Landgate and other profitable monopoly assets – something they promised not to do." Media Contact |
