New Blood

So for the past 8 years Mike Rann, Kevin Foley, Pat Conlon, Michael Atkinson and the rest of the Ministers in the SA Government have thumbed their noses at the people and inferred that the citizens of the State can "like it or lump it".

I have heard some horror stories in the past couple of days - most can't be repeated here.

And here we are in March 2010 when these same Ministers have received a serious kick in the backside at the most recent election and most of them are sitting around saying "We need to communicate better". What a bunch of wankers.

Atkinson is the only honourable one - he obviously gets it - he has agreed to stand down from the next Government. The rest of them are running around trying to position themselves for the new sinecures.

This is despite a serious swing against the Rann Government's Ministers. Media Mike will attempt to spin this but the facts are:

Mike Rann has had a 10.1% swing against him.
Kevin Foley has had a 12.5% swing against him.
Pat Conlon has had a 11.9% swing against him.
Michael Atkinson has had a 11.2% swing against him.

And the count isn't over yet - it is likely to get worse for them. But if you are a Minister in this Government you already have a big buffer - lucky you. Memo to Electoral Commission - that needs to change!

And on it goes - Adelaide and Norwood have been lost and all they can talk about is how they need to "communicate better".

"Boys, you were born with two ears and one mouth - and they should be used in that same ratio. Try "listening" before you attempt "communicating". I know that you think that you know it all but most South Australian's don't agree with you".

Actually they also need some serious renewal. Rann needs to take the lead and set out a plan for his replacement to take over within two years. He needs to insist that Foley, Conlon, Atkinson and others move to the backbench and work hard to find competent replacements from the many talented individuals who are now in the parliament. He needs to put the interests of the State ahead of the interests of his mates and colleagues. And he needs to drop the spin.

And then they need to get on with it and start delivering the services the people need.