Wednesday, March 27, 2013

MEERS: Pair deserve our support

JULIA Gillard reshuffled her cabinet yesterday.

Guess what?

I don't care and nor should you.

We are in caretaker mode.

This government and new ministers are nothing more than salad dressing on an out-of-date salad, they won't govern.

Julia will campaign with her buddy Wayne Swan while left-leaning bureaucrats will keep the wheels turning.

Julia Gillard's team are a shambolic rabble more akin to a childhood cubbyhouse fantasy game than a ministry.

So I won't even give the new ministers the courtesy of mentioning their names.

With that in mind it's time to analyse the real cabinet.

The Coalition's team which will govern after September -- they are the ones who will guide the nation's future.

 
That's why here on the Gold Coast we need to start lobbying Tony Abbott for two ministers. One in cabinet and one in the outer ministry.

I doubt we'll be successful, but we are the Gold Coast, the sixth largest city in the nation and a conservative stronghold.

They can take our votes for granted, we are born blue, but the financial backers we have here and the small business that keeps this city running are the core values of the Liberal Party and deserve better.

It's safe to say Member for Fadden Stuart Robert will be given a ministry.

He is currently shadow for Defence Science and there's no reason for him to be punted from the front bench.

He is a conservative, a churchgoer and an ally of Abbott.

Robert is a good performer and deserves to be on the front bench. While only a junior portfolio Mr Robert really hasn't done much wrong.

He deserves to be elevated into a portfolio that has more clout.

I'd like to see a small business and tourism portfolio combined and given to a Gold Coast MP.

Robert is a certainty for the ministry.

The other who should be elevated is Steven Ciobo.

Mr Ciobo is far more moderate than Mr Abbott and Mr Robert. He was an ally of Peter Costello and Malcolm Turnbull.

There were reports he even backed Joe Hockey at the last leadership ballot.

Backing those horses hasn't done him any favours.

He isn't close with Mr Abbott, in fact, Tony booted him off the front bench when he ousted Mr Turnbull as leader. Spies in Canberra suggest the Member for Moncrieff and his leader now get on far better.

Mr Ciobo is a good performer, he is popular with the press gallery and should be a minister.

I must admit, I'm not a fan of career politicians, but Mr Ciobo has the mettle, the nous and the confidence to be on the front bench.

Two ministers in Canberra would do wonders for this city as we prepare for a re-birth.

The Gold Coast had limited representation in the Howard years. Mr Ciobo was seen as a junior, Margaret May lacked ambition and Howard had a strong front bench.

It was easier to get into the Australian cricket team.

Now we need a voice in Cabinet. The Gold Coast is showing signs of rebounding and a little extra help in Canberra might get us across the line.

Unfortunately Mr Robert and Mr Ciobo won't be pushing the other's cause.

They don't really like each other and share a strong rivalry.

Added to that they are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

That's why we, the people, need to fight to get them on the front bench. Both are up to the job, Tony just needs some convincing.

This is the Cabinet that will shape our future for at least two terms. The Gold Coast needs a voice. Both men are deserving.

C'mon Tony, put them in your thoughts. We deserve it.


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