Serious concerns were raised about this “deal” in an earlier blog last year. Some of these related to matters of national sovereignty and it is not surprising the federal government has vetoed it. But It also raises fundamental issues of governance which has concerned TfM for some time. It is our view that sound governance and proper process is critical if we are to achieve better outcomes: not just in “transport” but all aspects of government policy with profound impact on our daily lives.
What is particularly concerning is this “deal” according to The Age Friday 23 April was a closely guarded affair done by the Premier in his own office with his then secretary Chris Eccles. According to The Age, senior officials who had trade expertise with links to China were never called and the matter was never approved by Andrew’s cabinet. Further “had he consulted with his federal Labor colleagues they might have told him …. it was its policy not to sign up to the program”.
We believe similar behaviour has been repeated more generally in the state government’s transport infrastructure program. This has also been the subject of earlier blogs, and a forum was run on it (governance) in 2017, but the situation does not appear to have improved since. All governments need checks and balances to keep them honest. It seems the need for transparency and public scrutiny of government at all levels has become increasingly critical.