By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
THE Labor minority alliance post-2010 will be remembered as a poor government, says political expert Dr Nick Economou.
The government led first by Julia Gillard, with the support of Greens and independent MPs, was beset by leadership tensions, political errors and compromise with its minority partners.
“It never quite properly resolved the leadership tensions [between Ms Gillard and Kevin Rudd] and made bad political mistakes such as the carbon tax.
“There was the fact that the promise [not to introduce a carbon tax] was broken but also a party in government doesn’t want to give the impression that it’s handed power over to minority parties like the Greens and [independent] Tony Windsor.
“It will be remembered as a poor government that did politics very poorly.”
The Coaltion government-elect’s activities will depend on the make-up of the Senate, Dr Economou says.
“There will be a lot of activity in the first instance because the Coalition will try to remove the carbon tax.
“If the Senate is controlled by Labor and the Greens, there will be an election in 12 months time.
“But it’s looking like it will be a conservative balance of power with right-wing [minority parties]. This will mean Mr Abbott will get his agenda through.”
