Opinion: The Don Harwin saga starkly exposed the ongoing tensions within the NSW Liberal Party and also between the state and federal governments
The one place they’re not in hibernation in Australia at the moment is the bearpit of NSW politics.
The leaks cover everything from the Ruby Princess debacle to even suspicions among Berejiklian supporters that it was a federal Liberal MP who dobbed in Harwin toIt was that front page photo of him at his holiday home in Pearl Beach on Thursday morning that sparked public outrage, then further photos of him shopping for clothes at Eastgardens forced his resignation on Friday night.
Yet even though Harwin technically resigned from cabinet, ministers don’t tend to do so voluntarily. He was under pressure all day from senior cabinet colleagues, culminating in what was described as a “tough” phone call from the Premier, according to sources with in the government. Ousting Harwin might have given Berejiklian short-term respite but it quickly raised questions over the future of another publicly unpopular minister.Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott is still in his job despite deserting his position during the bushfire crisis. Harwin went to Pearl Beach but Elliott went on holidays to London and survived, it was noted.
No matter how many plaudits she receives from the public for her tough handling of the current crisis or the widespread credit she receives for her clear, concise, calm briefings each day, the undermining continues.Not that her own side has clean hands. The ongoing outcry over her government’s handling of the Ruby Princess debacle has led to leaks against Border Force and even NSW Ports Minister Andrew Constance for not “providing cover” for the Premier.
Some claim it is outright jealousy. Scott Morrison was attacked for everything from his Hawaii jaunt to the Cobago handshake debacle while Saint Gladys was a media darling.Credit:At the outset of the coronavirus crisis it looked like a similar feud was playing out publicly when the NSW and Victorian premiers unsuccessfully pushed for tougher lockdown laws.
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