Not sure whether this is a self-serving post, or whether long-term the association will cause me minor embarrassment, but until Nathan Rees became an MP I thought I was the only person involved in politics whose CV contained both an English Honours Degree and a stint as a gardener.
Then Rees popped-up. We also both have a history collecting garbage.
Although in our similarities we also diverge as with both the gardening and the rubbish removal, I was the owner of the business, while Rees was an employee.
I started a lawn-mowing business in second year uni and called it Arcadia Lawn and Gardening, which sat well with the undergraduate pretensions of an English student, as well as guaranteeing it a commanding spot at the top of the Lawn Cutting listing in Yellow Pages.
Watching the action on TV I think Rees is going to have a tough time winning the next NSW election. If anyone can win it for the ALP, they’ll need to be able to tell a really good story. As James Curran notes in today’s Oz telling a good story has always been central to successful Australian political leaders.
With his training Rees should be conscious of this, and able to do something about it. If he can’t, then his CV might point him towards a future career in online publishing!
September 08, 2008 | Graham
Nathan Rees’ CV
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Well Northmead High has produced a Wiggle,one Greg Page and now a new Premier Nathan Rees.
Nathan has not made a good start.He is already talking about tax increases.This Govt have taxed us into poverty already! Have they learnt nothing!
2 yrs ago on this forum I warned of the demise of NSW due these very policies.
Today Mike Baird made some very salient points about basic economic frugalness that ordinary households must abide by,yet these fools still live in denial.
Mike Baird said that every Minister and their Depts should be made responsible for their expenditures.This has not happened in NSW.
Never before in our history have they had so much tax per head of pop,and never before in our history have we had such poor results!
How do you reduce the most prosperous state to an economic basket case,in times of unprecedented prosperity?
The Vertigan Report that Coster supported ,wants to amalgamate many Depts and reduce fat cats,has been ignored.Real reform it seems will be a pipe dream.
On the other hand,the NSW Libs should not get too comfortable,salivating in an anticipated victory.They are still on the nose for not stepping up to the plate at the last election.
Comment by Arjay — September 8, 2008 @ 11:41 pm
“Today Mike Baird made some very salient points about basic economic frugalness that ordinary households must abide by,yet these fools still live in denial.”
Oh yes it’s the old Margaret Thatcher line recycled into another winter of discontent – managing a government budget economy with multiple variables generated by millions of people and many companies is exactly the same as trotting off down the shops every week and balancing the household budget. It isn’t.
Comment by wedgewood — September 12, 2008 @ 2:16 am
“Today Mike Baird made some very salient points about basic economic frugalness that ordinary households must abide by,yet these fools still live in denial.”
From one winter of discontent to another – its the old Margaret Thatcher line that somehow managing a government budget which is the product of thousands of companies and millions of people’s activities and needs is the same as trotting off down the shop once a week and balancing the household expenditures. It isn’t.
Secondly maybe Mr Baird could ask Baird Senior why NSW is subsidising other states with their share of the Federal tax dole out and how unplanned record immigrant numbers (legal and otherwise) in the Howard years have imposed huge strains and costs on Sydney’s infrastructure and way of life. Bob Carr talked of pop limits for Sydney in the late 90s but it has been ignored and forgotten. Result – Sydney is an overcrowded and unworkable city.
Comment by wedgewood 75 — September 12, 2008 @ 2:31 am
Yet he wants to spend further tax payers money chasing a black panther. Get your priorities straight. Or get the hell out. There are people living on the streets and starving you goose. I cannot get over who is running our country. It’s a JOKE.
Comment by Brent — September 21, 2008 @ 1:17 am