Darron CharlesworthSA Government Not Utilising Its Talent
April 20th 2010 11:42
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The appointment of Nicole Cornes as adviser to the Minister of Mines has provoked outrage from the South Australian public and rightly so. Here is a lady, albeit highly educated, with almost no professional expertise outside of being a mother and a small business owner, thrust into the role of advisor to one of the largest economic portfolios in SA. Due to mining’s highly questionable environmental practices there would be a need for a great deal of experience in this regard as well. Given Ms Cornes’ advertised credentials one wonders just what qualifications made her so suitable for this role. Having said this though, what are the formal qualifications of the other Ministers in the South Australian Government? How qualified are they for their roles?
The most obvious place to start is at the top, Premier Mike Rann. As an activist for Greenpeace in the late 70s there is some possibility that he has experience in the Environmental sector for which the Premier has responsibility. It does not appear that he has any relevant industry experience for any of the Arts portfolios over which he presides. It also seems that he is lacking any economic credentials or in sociology for the Social Inclusion portfolio – a portfolio he has yet to move any Acts in regard to.
Then there is Kevin Foley, Treasurer extraordinaire. This self-proclaimed Year 10 drop-out with a career in sales and marketing was flown in as a Senior Advisor to Lynn Arnold. This bully-boy politician with a history of abusing other MPs and a talent for putting his foot in his mouth now runs the State’s finances: no wonder the finances are such a mess.
Minister Paul Holloway is a great example of a waste of talent. With such excellent credentials would make a much better candidate for treasurer then the previously mentioned Minister Foley. No real qualifications for his role in Planning or Industrial relations but the sort of person that should be in government and a great candidate to take over from Foley.
Minister Pat Conlon: Minister for Energy; Minister for Transport; Minister for Infrastructure, why? While one must applaud his hard work and dedication in achieving his education there are no qualifications which show his capacity to competently fulfil the duties in his portfolios. Mr Conlon would be much better suited to applying his education and talents to a Justice or Policing portfolio. Instead he is being wasted in a role which he constantly makes errors in and is not educated in doing. Move him on to something more suited to his abilities.
Member for Kaurna John Hill is the perfectly skilled, educated and experience Minister to be in charge of the Education portfolio. Which brings into question why on earth he is in the Health portfolio? Another waste of talent and skills from the Rann Government. A hard working, well educated Minister with real world experience dropped into a role for which he has no practical or formal education or training. Does the Premier read these people’s resumes prior to appointing them or do they just draw straws?
Recently promoted Jay Weatherill serves as yet another example of great talent wrong portfolio. With his education and background this minister would be perfect in the role of treasurer or in a portfolio with legal or economic specialisation such as Police Minister, Justice, Law and Order, or Trade and Economic Development.
Finally for this list John Rau and a fine example of just what should be done with education and talent. This Minister with a legal background is taking on the role of Attorney General. This is exactly where he should be and a fine choice for the position going by experience and education. However, given the usual standard of appointment in Rann Ministries, a role in Health or the Environment, something which Mr Rau has no experience of qualifications in, would be more inline with the other appointments.
It is sad to see a Government not making use of its natural advantages and appointing Ministers and advisors to roles which they have the training, education and background experience. This shows a lack of thought or of pure contempt. When one wonders why mistakes are made and poorly constructed policy is implemented one need look no further than those who are taking on the lead roles and the person who appointed them to duties they are neither qualified or experienced in performing.
Then there is Kevin Foley, Treasurer extraordinaire. This self-proclaimed Year 10 drop-out with a career in sales and marketing was flown in as a Senior Advisor to Lynn Arnold. This bully-boy politician with a history of abusing other MPs and a talent for putting his foot in his mouth now runs the State’s finances: no wonder the finances are such a mess.
Minister Paul Holloway is a great example of a waste of talent. With such excellent credentials would make a much better candidate for treasurer then the previously mentioned Minister Foley. No real qualifications for his role in Planning or Industrial relations but the sort of person that should be in government and a great candidate to take over from Foley.
Member for Kaurna John Hill is the perfectly skilled, educated and experience Minister to be in charge of the Education portfolio. Which brings into question why on earth he is in the Health portfolio? Another waste of talent and skills from the Rann Government. A hard working, well educated Minister with real world experience dropped into a role for which he has no practical or formal education or training. Does the Premier read these people’s resumes prior to appointing them or do they just draw straws?
Recently promoted Jay Weatherill serves as yet another example of great talent wrong portfolio. With his education and background this minister would be perfect in the role of treasurer or in a portfolio with legal or economic specialisation such as Police Minister, Justice, Law and Order, or Trade and Economic Development.
Finally for this list John Rau and a fine example of just what should be done with education and talent. This Minister with a legal background is taking on the role of Attorney General. This is exactly where he should be and a fine choice for the position going by experience and education. However, given the usual standard of appointment in Rann Ministries, a role in Health or the Environment, something which Mr Rau has no experience of qualifications in, would be more inline with the other appointments.
It is sad to see a Government not making use of its natural advantages and appointing Ministers and advisors to roles which they have the training, education and background experience. This shows a lack of thought or of pure contempt. When one wonders why mistakes are made and poorly constructed policy is implemented one need look no further than those who are taking on the lead roles and the person who appointed them to duties they are neither qualified or experienced in performing.
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