Were Beazlys comments inappropriate
Beazley made some comments at a May Day Rally yesterday, linking the plight of the two trapped miners with the new IR Laws. He essentially said, that under the new system, these such accidents could occur more frequently, since the right for unions to include training in Enterprise Agreements was forbidden.
He probably has a point. But his timing was terrible. I think it was rather inappropriate to be saying such things, when the two blokes were still not to safety. I do believe, however, that there would have been a useful time to make such comments but that time would be much, much later. Perhaps during or after any investigation surrounding the accident.
Beazly's really not making any ground, and these constant gaffs and misjudgements are not helping the ALP.
I'd just like to note however, Bill Shorten of the Mining Workers Union (and recent Labor MP electee), has managed to raise his public profile significantly through the mine disaster. I'm not implying any deliberate cynicism on his part, but he has essentially been the spokesperson for the miners on this issue. And he's handled the issue with sensitivity and thoughfullness. This certainly won't harm the political ambitions of the man sometimes touted as the next Bob Hawke.
He probably has a point. But his timing was terrible. I think it was rather inappropriate to be saying such things, when the two blokes were still not to safety. I do believe, however, that there would have been a useful time to make such comments but that time would be much, much later. Perhaps during or after any investigation surrounding the accident.
Beazly's really not making any ground, and these constant gaffs and misjudgements are not helping the ALP.
I'd just like to note however, Bill Shorten of the Mining Workers Union (and recent Labor MP electee), has managed to raise his public profile significantly through the mine disaster. I'm not implying any deliberate cynicism on his part, but he has essentially been the spokesperson for the miners on this issue. And he's handled the issue with sensitivity and thoughfullness. This certainly won't harm the political ambitions of the man sometimes touted as the next Bob Hawke.
It is an interesting point you raised about Beazley's conduct. You can always tell when someone has been in opposition too long, because their sensitivity for what is right, reasonable and just is lost in favour of having a shot at the government, whenever and wherever.
A good point also raised about Shorten. Shorten did the exact opposite to Beazley, saying that questions would need to be answered but that this was not the time, and that every effort should go into ensuring that the miners are safely recovered.
In reality and in practical terms, as someone with rescue experience, I am aware that although discussing the politics of a disaster rarely changes the physical rescue effort, it does have an emotional impact. Why make more people angry in an already emotional situation.
Shorten certainly has a future. He obviously knows how to defuse circumstances infused with emotion.