The Bass by-election of 28 June 1975 which heralded the demise of the Whitlam Government produced a swing of only 13.8% against the ALP. Yesterday’s three by-elections produced swings of 13% in Lakemba and 22% plus in Ryde and Cabramatta. Nathan Rees is trying to argue that these are not judgments on him but on something he calls the ‘last administration’ and on the leadership of Morris Iemma. But the reality is that the elevation of the unknown Rees has not lanced the boil, people are still angry, and it is difficult to see what Rees can do to turn that around.
So far all we have had from Rees is stunts, spin and project cancellations. And a continuation of bad economic news and revelations about the terrible state of NSW hospitals and transport. Rees has no chance and the damage in NSW will adversely affect Rudd at the 2010 federal poll.
Update: We’re finished, says Labor
One Comment
There’s not much else he could say is there?
The whole NSW gov is done for and he knows it, his job is to keep his job, nothing more
If he really wanted to try and improve things, he would reverse some of the dodgy development decisions.
I doubt that will save them, but at least it might limit the degree