Actually, they were more like a cross between a three-ringed circus and Fred Brophy’s boxing tent, which would pitch in a town and invite all-comers to throw a punch.
For 30 years COAG was living proof of the divide between federal and state politics.
There was none of the kumbaya of National Cabinet, which has worked pretty well, mostly because there is a pandemic to unify and focus everyone.
Anyway, back to differences.
Over the past few weeks we’ve heard chapter and verse on why independents don’t matter and can’t get things done.
Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, who has become a frequent visitor to the region, said independents were good for writing letters, but you needed a local member backed by a strong party (his, of course) to get things done.
It’s what you would expect Barnaby to say; after all, he wants his man, Sam Birrell, in Canberra.
Steve Brooks, the Liberal candidate, has echoed the same views on independents, but he obviously wants to be our man in Canberra.
Rob Priestly, who is the independent candidate, begs to differ.
There are many permutations being thrown about: hung parliaments, minority governments, cross-bench factions and alliances.
The problem with electing an independent is you don’t know the result nationally.
The ideal scenario is that your independent is pivotal to the formation of government, and the maintaining of confidence and supply. That brings real power and influence.
But here’s another concept, one that defies the rhetoric we get at election time.
What if your independent member of parliament has no real numerical power but forms close relationships with the government of the day, ministers and MPs, and then works really hard to highlight the needs of the community.
What if that results in billions of dollars over time for rail, health, education and infrastructure?
The simple fact political parties running against independents like to ignore is that state Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed has done just that.
She has delivered in spades by working with Premier Daniel Andrews and his government.
Eyes are rolling, I know, but before you start going on about the “Sheed News”, consider this; former Victorian Nationals leader and Shepparton MP Peter Ross-Edwards was renowned for achieving results because he had good relationships on both sides of politics.
It is what a local member does, or should do.
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