Has Scott Morrison’s Cabinet Been an Absolute Disaster for Australia?

The political tenure of Scott Morrison as Prime Minister, along with his cabinet, has been a subject of considerable debate and criticism. While recent Australian prime ministers have often weathered their terms without major crises, the tenure of Morrison and his administration faced unprecedented challenges, particularly the severe fires and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Severe Fires and State Government Incompetence

During his tenure, Morrison and his cabinet were tested by severe bushfires that wreaked havoc on various regions of the country. Notably, the state governments in affected areas are part of the same party structure, the Liberal Party, which made it difficult for effective blame-shifting. This inherent political unity may have hindered constructive criticism and accountability.

The Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a scenario that was wholly unexpected, and the Morrison government's lack of a robust contingency plan B became a significant point of contention. Planning for such unforeseen events is typically the responsibility of the bureaucrats, who are the policy architect behind the scenes.

It is argued that the lack of a comprehensive plan B reflects a deeper systemic issue, possibly due to a lack of strategic vision and preparedness. The ministers, who are generally educated to a lesser degree and may have limited intellectual capabilities, may not have the necessary foresight to develop such plans. Therefore, both the policymakers and the experts behind the scenes need to be held accountable for not having a solid fallback strategy.

Ministers and Their Limitations

Scott Morrison and his cabinet are often criticized for their limited understanding of the needs of the people and their primary focus on maintaining their own positions. It is evident that at least three of his cabinet members had aspirations for his position as Prime Minister. Their underlying motivation for staying in power is to protect their interests and those of their allies in big business, while also maintaining a favorable image with the Murdoch news outlets.

The administration's response to the crisis has been heavily criticized, as their efforts to portray themselves as upstanding leaders have been perceived as little more than a con. The notion that 'no party actually “wins” an election' highlights the broader political landscape, where victories are more about the opposition performing worse rather than the governing party achieving anything noteworthy.

Conclusion

The tenure of Scott Morrison and his cabinet has indeed presented significant challenges for Australia. The handling of the severe fires and the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the perceived lack of a robust contingency plan B, has drawn considerable criticism. The lack of strategic foresight and accountability needs to be addressed to ensure better future outcomes for the nation.