Why are Government Ministers Incompetent?

Have you ever wondered, Why did the Premier select that particular turkey for a Ministerial role? Or even, Why did the political party select that particular turkey to be its leader? Have you ever wondered, Who was available at the time?! The West devoted most of today's editorial to a run-down on the leader of the opposition's "lack of political nous" (10 March, page 20). If he's so bad -- why was he selected as leader? Well... who else was available? I'm not going to answer that last question except in very general terms:

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Thinking Lateral
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The only alternatives to be leader of the opposition were... other politicians. Worse than that, the alternatives were politicians who had been elected to a party which is in the minority. How many people is that? What are their qualifications? To put it bluntly (with not too much reference to facts): the leader of the opposition in parliament is selected from a small field of candidates. That small field was short-listed in a process which had no reference to leadership qualities. If you can find a competent leader amongst that lot -- you are very lucky.

Where do Ministers come from?

Political ministers are selected from elected members of parliament. They are selected from the majority party. This short list of potential Ministers has passed a series of selection tests, the last of which is a state election. Check your state election pamphlets, look at the platforms of the various people putting themselves forward for election. Did any of them say, I have a degree in medicine and extensive experience of running a major health service? Did any of them say, I have a degree in law and extensive experience in ensuring justice? (Actually, a degree in law is almost a guarantee that there is no interest whatsoever in justice. Law is about law, justice is not a factor in law.) Some of the election candidates may claim experience in a given ministerial field. So what? Will they get that ministerial portfolio? Only if they win the election and then only if the power-brokers say so. How long will they last as ministers? Only until they manage to snag a more powerful portfolio, or until they make a mistake that upsets the power-brokers. So who does get the ministerial positions? These positions of power go to the politician -- always to a politician -- who has the biggest smile, the best television personality, the most behind-the-scenes power. So please don't ask, Why did the Premier select that particular turkey to be a Minister? Just be sorry for the small field of choice. And wish for a better means of short-listing the ministerial candidates.

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Independent Thinking
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