The election of a new government is a cause for hope. A party in power for an extended period inevitably loses touch with people and their concerns. A new government enjoys public goodwill as it tackles a residue of issues, resentments and injustices. Whether this honeymoon period lasts months or dissipates quickly is a measure of the sincerity with which the new government operates. Hopes are high for Prime Minister Rudd and Labor.
In 1996, most Australians hoped the Howard Government would establish its credibility. Many were soon disillusioned. Governments breed cynicism when they denigrate the opposition in parliament. When instead of answering questions they attack the motivations of the questioner, they show disdain not just for their parliamentary opponents but for all Australians interested in the issue raised.
Oppositions attack governments, as they should, but their criticisms must be based on sincere concerns about government behaviour. When a party makes the transition to government, they must stand by their former statements. If they expect the opposition to honour the electoral mandate, they must keep their campaign promises and not rationalise their mendacity with talk of 'core' and 'non-core' commitments.
New governments must adopt higher standards than those they criticised in their predecessors. So, when attacked for silencing dissent, the new government cannot respond that this was exactly what their opponents did. No opposition promises to behave exactly like the government of the day, and it is hypocritical to justify poor behaviour by citing such precedents.
There is cause for optimism in Labor's determination to refresh the machinery of government. The Howard Government promised to lift ministerial standards, but quickly lost half-a-dozen through abuses of allowances. Labor has promised to reduce MPs' allowances, permissible levels of undeclared donations to parties and government advertising expenditure, and to improve access to government information. These measures should halt the slide in the respect in which voters hold the political class.
Labor backbenchers are, commendably, avoiding the temptation to gloat. They should heed the comments of Coalition MPs following the election defeat of 24 November. Some Liberals have revealed they wanted Prime Minister Howard to stand aside. Some have admitted Coalition leadership was out of touch on many issues, including industrial relations, climate change, and the hugely important ethical matter of reconciliation.
If these MPs voiced their concerns in closed sessions of the government parties, they did not make their positions public. Some dissenters,