Premier could care a bit more

The government’s timetabling has the air of political trickery.

That parliament is going to reassemble, at considerable expense, for three days in mid-February for no apparent reason only adds to public scepticism about the Premier’s motives.

Recalling parliament is an odd decision, given that parliamentary sittings under Labor have been infrequent, that no urgent legislation is listed for debate and that the Flood Commission report will not have been released. Perhaps it is intended to give substance to the illusion that parliament is still active, that it is government as usual and that Queensland is not in election mode. Or perhaps it is an opportunity to attack the Opposition and its leader, Campbell Newman, under parliamentary privilege.

The Queensland Governor, who has an important role in ensuring integrity in government, has been placed in an invidious position by the Premier’s actions. It would be advisable to request advice from the Solicitor-General on the delay in instituting ‘caretaker’ arrangements and to seek an authoritative interpretation of the caretaker guidelines in the light of Westminster practice.

The LNP Opposition might consider formally requesting the Premier to invoke the caretaker arrangements immediately. It would be open to the Opposition, if it wins government, not to honour decisions, appointments, contracts or spending announcements made from the date of the election announcement. All department heads should be alert too to the need for public service impartiality during what is in effect an election campaign

Tiernan and Menzies in their monograph on caretaker arrangements across Australia highlight problems about adherence to caretaker provisions by the Goss and Beattie governments in Queensland and the Howard government in Canberra.

It is clear from Premier Bligh’s action in delaying the caretaker period that the footprint of the Fitzgerald Report, with its extensive findings on corruption and propriety in government and ministerial behaviour, has indeed been very light in Queensland.

If Premier Bligh wanted to demonstrate integrity in government and show real leadership, she should reconsider her decision on the caretaker arrangements and forget about recalling parliament. She could then get on with her re-election campaign where she is likely to do better than many expect.