yARN: Sink or swim? Time for Conroy to take a leaf out of Tanner’s book on ICT
- 25 March, 2009 08:00
- Comments 8
Whether we like it or not, survival for politicians is about managing public perceptions. Lose the punters’ support through a lack of common sense and stubbornness and you sink. Come across as logical, determined and down-to-earth and you swim.
It’s politics 101 and if the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, hasn’t learnt this yet, then somebody needs to give him a good rocket.
In fact, he should take a look at the way his stable mate the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Lindsay Tanner, has dealt with ICT issues since the Rudd government took the reins.
Tanner and his razor gang has overseen the biggest overhaul of the $6 billion Federal Government ICT spend – the Gershon Review – and to date has emerged relatively unscathed, despite ruffling more than few feathers in the industry.
At an Australia Computer Society (ACS) conference in Canberra last week, he laid out his views on cutting contractors, streamlining procurement, reduced spending, developing a whole-of-government datacentre approach and other expected Gershon impacts.
All of these topics negatively affect one interest group or another in a significant way. But Tanner, by engaging the media and public at large and logically outlining the facts behind his decisions, has escaped the kind of barrage Conroy is now receiving.
Conroy is being belittled for the way he has handled what should be two good ICT news stories for Australia: The NBN and attempts to eradicate scourges like child porn on the Internet.
By setting low requirements for the NBN and refusing to open up on the tender process he has fudged one of the best opportunities for Australia to finally take a lead in connectivity and show its ICT prowess.
By confusing the issue of child pornography and other illegal activities with an ill-advised Internet filtering scheme he has wasted taxpayer money and positioned IT as part of the problematic issue of censorship rather than as part of a law enforcement solution.
And by refusing to give interviews to the media and only pump out press releases – a daily affair for the Minister – he has missed a key opportunity to engage the broader ICT community and develop a constructive conversation on ICT topics.
A couple of months ago Tanner and Conroy set up a blog together - and I applaud them for that move. But Tanner has since given regular interviews to the media and has survived remarkably well. Conroy hasn’t and look where he is now.
Regardless of how the two deal with the industry behind closed doors in their respective discussions on the issues, if they don’t get the punters on-board then in the end they will sink.
The question now is: Will Conroy’s stubborn adherence to failing ideas and refusal to engage the media bring the rest of the Labor party down with him? Looking at the overwhelming response the punters have had to his moves, it’s fair to say he is the dead weight.
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Comments
Anonymous
Look at the person though
The minister has a long history of bullying, temper tantrums and strongarming people to get his way. Exactly what about his petulant silence on important issues seems out of character for him?
I don't think this is something that can be turned around, the guy is a spoiled brat used to getting his own way. Mebbe it's just me but that sort of attitude is not what I'd call a + on the resume of a public servant...
Rudd should give him the axe and shortly. And mebbe take the choker leash off the party so people like Kate Lundy (who previously stood strongly against the Liberal attempt at the same plan) can speak their minds instead of towing the company line.
Anonymous
Conroy
One just has to watch his behaviour in the Senate during Question Time, once you've seen that then there's no doubt why all these stupid issues are coming out of his office.
acdfan
Conro
I have seen it and I could not agree with you more. He can never provide straight answer to straight question... Why? Because he does not have any answers. Usual bull$hit from day one.
Anonymous
Spot On !!
Well written article.
You described Conroy's attitude perfectly.. time for him to get the chop before he brings the whole party down !
Reece
has fudged one of the best opportunities
Well put, for either one of these issues Mr Conjob should have his political balls on a platter. And he should be man enough to do it himself.
Unfortunatly (and I am only guessing here that he is religious) logic does not enter into his faith based thought process. He has only resently asked for our faith that the government will do the right thing re legislation for what will belong on the list.
Again both of these issues if not handled correctly will plague Australia well past this one man's career. If the worst happens on both, and we have no confidence from the government that it will not we will have;
1. A failed multi billion dollar NBN
2. A secret system for loud minority groups to censor issues they don't like. eg euthanisia, anti-abortion, gambling etc.
Wake up conroy
Anonymous
Lundy? No chance!
Unfortunately, Lundy's completely compromised in the telecoms arena due to her close association with Competitive Carriers' Coalition professional lobbyist (and husband!), David Forman
Phil
Conroy, you work for us...!
Conroy's biggest problem seems to be his inflated view of his own self worth. He seems to have forgotten that he is there to represent the voters who elected him and the rest of the Kevin747 team.
If he is so confident that he is on the right track with his censorship plans, he should be out there defending them and answering his many many critics with solid facts. Instead what we see is typical pollie double-speak without actually answering any of the questions put to him.
I would be much more understanding if he really did do as promised and limit the censorship to child porn. And if he did so in a more open way. For example, keep the blacklist secret, but appoint a truly independent panel who can review it from time to time to ensure he isn't furtively adding sites that are outside the scope.
So message to Conroy - stop saying "trust us". You're pollies and we don't trust you, deal with it. You and all your ilk on both sides have given us ample reason not to trust you over the years. Be open and honest with your censorship plans and maybe we'll respond accordingly. Trust us.
Max
Bullying? Two sides to that story...
"bullying, temper tantrums and strongarming people..." : Sounds like many of the anti-filter activists and very many of the whirlpool bloggers to me...
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