One of the most obvious shifts in the past few years has been the increased focus on state politics. Years ago, I say sheepishly, state politics used to bore me a little, as it seemed not to be the main game.
It was federal politics that focused on the big ideas, the big reforms, where state politics seemed to be a shallow debate about service delivery, with one party offering 200 more police officers, for instance, and the other 250.
(L-R) James Merlino, Martin Foley, Lisa Neville and Martin Pakula have announced their retirement.
That was so wrong I am embarrassed to admit it. Obviously, the pandemic has shown how central state political decisions are to our lives, and how state areas – health, education, crime, transport, infrastructure – matter at least as much as federal responsibilities when it comes to tackling our biggest challenges.
On ideas, it has been state governments that have been most innovative in recent years. The Victorian government is progressive, and on social issues it has forged ahead with significant initiatives such as voluntary assisted dying, respectful relationships programs and royal commissions into domestic violence and mental health. It has been the states – of all political hues – that leapfrogged federal inaction to announce ambitious policies on renewable energy and targets on emissions. It has been the states that have led infrastructure investment and training.
Age readers are interested in federal politics – many of you closely followed the May federal election – but The Age also prides itself on excellence in state political coverage, which national publications cannot match. We have an election in November – why on earth the federal system does not have four year fixed terms is a mystery – and so the resignation of four senior and high profile ministers this week was a big moment.
These are politicians who have had their controversies, but they are also ministers of substance. James Merlino in particular was deputy premier and touted as a potential future leader. He has been education minister for almost eight years, and has a considerable legacy, from an investment in dozens of new schools, to introducing a mental health expert in every government secondary school.
Martin Pakula seems to have been around forever – 16 years as an MP – and his portfolio responsibilities are substantial, He was Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Trade, Business Precincts, Tourism, Sport and Major Events and Racing.
Martin Foley’s resignation will mean Victoria will have its fourth health minister in four years, more than unfortunate in the middle of a pandemic when our health system is under serious strain.
Lisa Neville has had health issues and was expected to resign, but she too has held substantial portfolios, including her current responsibilities of police and water.
The four join Planning Minister Richard Wynne, who announced earlier this year he would not contest the election.
What impact this will have on the election is unclear. Obviously, the government will tout it as a time for renewal as it seeks a third term, while the opposition will claim the rats are fleeing a sinking ship. Who the next deputy premier will be is crucial – Premier Daniel Andrews has anointed Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan. A caucus meeting on Saturday will finalise portfolios.
Andrews dominates politics in Victoria, and there will be questions about whether, if Labor wins the election, he will stay on for another four years.
The Age is most interested in policy, so what these changes mean for Victorians and their lives is something we will explore.
We are thinking hard about the state election. My instinct is to rethink how we cover it from top to bottom, to put aside how we have done elections in the past and to think through how best to serve our readers and subscribers in new ways. I will discuss all this with you in more detail in coming weeks and will seek your input about what issues you think are most important to Victorians in 2022.
Gay Alcorn sends a newsletter to subscribers each week. Sign up to receive her Note from the Editor.
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