Your intrepid correspondent is old enough to remember that ICAC found former NSW Premier Nick Greiner corrupt for offering an overseas job to a cross bench member. From Wikipedia:
Greiner was forced into a minority government, relying on support from four Independent MPs. His parliamentary majority was further eroded with the decision of Terry Metherell to become an Independent in late 1991, and with the loss of The Entrance in a 1992 by-election following a Court of Disputed Returns overthrowing the original result.
Yes. ICAC’s finding against Greiner was ultimately over turned by a court but not before Greiner resigned and significant damage was done to an otherwise highly competent government.
Well, well, well. A bit of history repeating with the appointment of former NSW Treasurer to a Commonwealth Government post.
Let’s set the scene.
The Minns government in NSW is a minority government.
The Minns government is a Labor government.
If the Minns government can turn a coalition or cross bench seat to Labor, its government will likely be more stable (I am not sure of numbers and whether it will turn it from minority to majority).
A NSW opposition leader was offered a public sector roll with the Commonwealth, a role that will lead to a bi-election.
Reported today by David Crowe, that while still a sitting member, Kean received a call from a Labor Government commonwealth Minister - Chris Bowen - to “discuss” a job in the Commonwealth government requiring Kean to resign from parliament. Wrote Crowe:
Kean, the former Liberal NSW treasurer and energy minister, was in a crowded carriage on Sydney’s north shore line and unprepared for what Bowen was about to suggest: a new job at the peak agency setting climate change targets for the country.
I am not suggesting anything nefarious, but this smells similar to the Greiner-Terry Metherell matter. This from Wikipedia:
When the Liberal Party won the 1988 election, Premier Nick Greiner appointed him Minister for Education and Youth Affairs, a portfolio he held until 1990. In October 1991, he resigned from the Liberal party and remained in Parliament until his resignation to take up an offer of a public service job. This offer led to the downfall of Greiner, who was found to have corruptly offered the position to force a by-election in Metherell's district.
In the case of Kean, did a Commonwealth Labor politician offer a job to someone to help a State Labor government?
If the appointment of Kean to Chair of the Climate Change Authority does not warrant an ICAC or NACC investigation, then I don’t know for what these agencies exist.
Tried to post this and it was blocked by FB within a minute. There is bias everywhere.
Sharp-shooting Smarty!
Hopefully the legislation(s) won't (by accident or otherwise) overlook, 'inter-government-level' corruption.
Cheers