Premier attraction - “no one’s girl”

We certainly have seen a huge style change since Kristina Keneally became Premier of NSW.  The Premier seems to be everywhere and comments about her glamorous appearance are are likewise common.  There seems no doubt that her looks will be a large part of the attention she attracts but not even Kristina Keneally could have planned that.  She is who she is.  On the other hand it might be reasonable to presume that her looks were at least part of the reason she won over some of the Labor caucus in rolling Nathan Rees.  Not a personal attraction mind you, but rather a political calculation that looks and gender might be a winner with sectors of the voting community – after all, Labor were on a hiding to nothing anyway. 

Keneally says she is “no one’s girl” and I believe her.  She is no fool and will no doubt make her mark on her owns terms.  She does however seem to have been well schooled in Machiavellian politics with one of her main teachers and mentors being Joe Tripodi.  Joe of course seems widely disliked but for one so often embroiled in controversy he seems to have survived very well.  Not blessed with a pretty face, Joe must have plenty of smarts.  It remains to be seen if Kristina Keneally has enough of both to win over the electorate in 2011. 

Under Keneally the Government has already begun to distance themselves from bad or unpopular policy that is deemed not worth the fight (for now) or is seen as un-winnable.  Retail power privatisation is conveniently delayed till later in 2010; will anyone be surprised if it is further delayed until after the election?  (A Labor member told me within days of the change of leadership that it would be killed-off).  The Rozelle Metro looks dead in the water and we can expect a number of other strategic withdrawals throughout the year.  And is it hypocrisy that we now see the Premier ready to address the unfair treatment of Gillian Sneddon?  I think most people from around this area will see it that way but at the same time hope that Gillian finally gets some fairness from the NSW Government.  

Under Iemma and Rees I found that the government could be arrogant and rude to non-Labor MP’s even in their own area.  This wasn’t so much a problem for me as the snubs at public functions were so overt that the Premiers and other Labor members looked very petty and rude.  It did them damage while not hurting me.  Kristina Keneally on the other hand has already shown herself to be very different while attending a function at the Ourimbah Campus recently.  This was a Labor show, a policy announcement attended by government MP’s, Minister Ian MacDonald and the Premier.  The Premier was very gracious in recognising me and, after  the formalities, insisting that I joined them for a photo.  A very different approach from before and it’s difficult to know if she was genuine or just understands that pettiness is noticed.  Either way, I have to acknowledge that she can be very charming.  Now to see how she performs as Premier in Question Time – that will be revealing!