IT’S AN observation that most people shy from surprise - small children excepting.
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And it was a truism of the weekend’s State Election where the results were remarkably predicted. It was a result where all of the major parties could take comfort - the Coalition for another sizable win, Labor for returning to at least a respectable representation after the 2011 shellacking, and The Greens who gained a significant Lower House holding. It was seemingly a poll where every player got a kewpie doll.
There was a solid lesson in this for the Federal Government. Premier Baird hasn’t thrown any unexpected nasties at the electorate - even the divisive part-privatisation of the poles and wires was signalled long in advance. By contrast the last Federal Budget contained a closet full of announcements that blindsided Joe Public and we all know how that went.
Locally, Nambucca Shire Council has long ploughed the ground that it can no longer be business and services as usual given its financial restraints. Against this background of openness, council successfully argued for some extraordinary rate increases.
The Federal Government would be wise to take the tip that they need to take the public along with them.