What we're talking about

Trevor on Water is important Anna Bligh knows that Fluoride is a Poison however she says her job is on the line IF she does not follow the Instructions ... more
luke151165 on Andre Rieu We went to the 2nd evening in Brisbane and sat up on level 7 directly in front of the stage and could see absolutely ... more
Michael on The Exclusive Brethren I recently taught Brethren children in a Central-Western NSW state public school. The children are always very polite and ... more
Lynette on Alert but not Alarmed Unfortunately for Australia, most muslims remain silent to the behaviour of their radical nutters within their communities ... more
Kane on The Exclusive Brethren i hate brethren more
Nicky Aplin on Andre Rieu I love your show, have alovely Christmas, hear you in the new year. more
Damien Fay on I'm entitled As Peter Garrett (ex Midnight oil frontman)once wailed/protested in one of their greatest songs - 'everythings set, ... more
Geoff Cass on Rudd's asylum policy Those who are seeking a country that will provide them with a place to live, food, clothing, education, tramsport, medical ... more
David Oliver on Spare a thought We... are hoping for a ham and a couple of nice presents.... They are....HOPING TO COME HOME..... "Doesn't that make you ... more
Anne Scott on Spare a thought Here here Michael. Beautifully put. We have one who has been there 3 times and about to go back again. Whilst that grubby ... more
Nikki on Alert but not Alarmed Smithy, Can we keep this on the agenda? Don't let it get put in the too hard basket. As Australian's we need to keep ... more
Nikki on Alert but not Alarmed Hi Smithy, I listened to your program yesterday and was horrified by the comments of Sheik Feiz Mohammad. What blows my mind ... more
Jason on Alert but not Alarmed One thing about John Howard, is that when he was in charge, I felt safe that Australia's culture and security would be ... more
Hard Worker on I'm entitled I have worked all my working life, 20 plus years. I have never depended on Government hand outs at all. I think its time ... more
Greg Williams on Alert but not Alarmed Every Western nation allowed the socialists to champion the cause of foreign cultures and to embrace them at the expense of ... more
Geoff Cass on Rudd's asylum policy It is quite obvious why he did this - he really does believe that he is THE WORLD RULER IN EVERYTHING, and he just won't ... more
Geoff Cass on Alert but not Alarmed Adding to my last note: maybe those allowing these illegal migrants entry are secretly Muslim supporters, and are keen to ... more
Geoff Cass on Alert but not Alarmed Why are our leading politicians so criminaly stupid as to allow illegal would-be immigrants to come and stay, at taxpayer's ... more
Anne Scott on I'm entitled Too sickening to comment on. Michael, will you head a new party to stop all this crap? I promise I will vote for you. I'm ... more
Anne Scott on Alert but not Alarmed Appalling and disgusting, but sadly not surprising. Every intelligent person knows how bad the problem is getting, yet ... more

We need strong, united leadership...

Posted by: Michael Smith | 17 October, 2008 - 12:21 PM

On Wednesday this week (15 October) I had a chat with the Education Minister Rod Welford. We were speaking mainly about education, but I also spoke with him as a cabinet minister about the state's finances.

Rod said that he had spoken with the Treasurer Andrew Fraser who told him that stamp duty revenues from property sales had ground to a halt. Rod said the cabinet had been told about the financial situation. Have a listen for yourself here

The next day The Premier was interviewed about Rod's comments. At a press conference with our reporter she rebuked Minister Welford's position listen here. She was keen to allay fears about the state's budget.

I believe Rod Welford was speaking the truth, without spin. It just has the ring of truth about it - common sense. In fact it was so truthful and real that there was no real fall-out on our radio station from the initial comments - our listeners pretty much said that's what they expected the situation to be.

Why would the Premier try to put a different spin on those facts? Why not face up to the reality and level with us like her Education Minister did?

Later on that second day, the media started to take up the issue of cabinet solidarity - that is the media started reporting about cabinet appearing to be divided. I've been speaking about that for some time and the issue was the topic of my blog a couple of days ago.

So the Premier's spin started to change by 8.30pm, the Premier said the Education Minister's gloomy comments about the economy are consistent with hers, have a read of the report.

We need strong, united leadership with the whole team singing from the same hymn book. We have a 31 year old treasurer - a young bloke with very limited life experience. He was 11 the last time Australia was looking at recession. He's had no experience of life under anything other than times of exceptional economic strength. That leaves the Premier and ministers like Rod Welford as the most experienced hands in the team. The Premier would do well to take Rod's lead and level with the people.

Blog comments

Doesn't matter what Michael Smith says - he's been punted off air at last to do sport???

MIchael Friday 17 October, 2008 - 4:24 PM
I will believe Penny Wong's THEORY on climate change IF/WHEN the Federal Govt. forbids the sale of coal to overseas interests---in order to put a halt to this "Time running out" for GLOBAL warming. Does Rudd think the carbons won't cross the borders of China and Pakistan. All bull Mr Rudd Act intelligently or stop acting!! Margaret

Margaret Gannon Friday 17 October, 2008 - 4:35 PM