Sunday, July 31, 2016

Rudd for UN fiasco reveals Canberra's incestuous culture

Given the massive egos of Turnbull and Rudd, I think we've still got quite a way to go with this UN candidature fiasco. There'll be more confidences betrayed, and we'll shake our heads with incredulity at the sheer arrogance of these people who purport to pursue our interests and not their own.

The unedifying leak-fest is reminiscent of Labor's dysfunctional reign. Wherever Rudd goes he leaves a trail of destruction! And you'd think that everyone in the LNP would know full well to steer clear of this toxic character. (Apart from anything else he's on the opposing team!)

But clearly Julie Bishop and Malcolm Turnbull (and I suspect several others) hadn't learned this lesson. They got involved, and ended up making commitments to him. And it wasn't just because of their ideological sympathies.

Certainly in Bishop's case her support for Rudd came as a result of a long term friendship with him. And I think Turnbull saw Rudd as potentially useful because of the former PM's obvious power and influence and connections to others like him.

It seems to me spending so much time in Canberra makes many pollies forget their political allegiances. They end up seeing themselves as members of the same elite group. They often get involved emotionally with each other (and even a few journos) and let that influence their political decisions and deal making.

It's understandable. They're only human. Canberra is isolated and they're working long hours. The people they have by far the most contact with are other pollies, their staff, and journos. So it's gonna get complicated.

Still, it's unfortunate. Eventually it just becomes a toxic mess of betrayal and bitchery, driven by personal enmity. Not good for the country at all!

1 comment:

  1. Someone was praising the Swiss system of government a while back. One aspect that doesn't get mentioned too often is the size of Switzerland. Over there, if you're an MP, your constituents are very likely to be your neighbours. Here, we're so much more spread out. You might have a beef with the Health Department but you've not got much chance of running into the Minister for Health while you're doing the shopping.

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