One example was the decision to ban greyhound racing, then it was local council amalgamations, then its controversial proposal for a new emergency services levy, to be collected with council rates.

This levy would have replaced the existing levy on home and contents insurance policies, and seemed to have a lot of merit.

One advantage was that every landowner would have to contribute towards the cost of emergency services, not just those with insurance cover as happens now.

Being based on the unimproved capital value of the land, people with more valuable land would have paid more than those with only a small holding.

The common factor here was that public opinion forced the government to backflip on them all.

On top of these, there has been a partial backflip on the proposal to build three new sporting stadiums in Sydney although feeling is still running high on this one and they may yet have to fit in another somersault before they hit the water.

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Resentment is also building about the relocation of the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta as a number of respected industry figures have issued warnings about the new site and the effect of its loss to city central.

The proposed site is reported to be within the flood plain of the Parramatta River and there is growing concern a high flood could damage all those items on the lower floors.

This is a totally different issue to whether the museum should stay exactly where it is in Ultimo.

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Now there is a challenge to the contract for the Sydney light rail line that has caused financial havoc to businesses along the route.

The magnitude of the damages claim is mind-blowing.

One can only hope the government’s contract is tight enough to defuse this one or the people of NSW are going to be hit for a motza!

With the NSW government's current track record there can be no other recipient for this week’s dedication, and the chosen song is “Living in Chaos” by American rock band The Offspring.

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The state government has money pouring out its ears (figuratively speaking, of course) at the moment due to the sell-off of the state’s electricity networks and the privatisation of the Land and Property

Information Services.

Both of these sales have made available large amounts of cash but both have serious questions about them.

Many people are concerned about foreign interests owning a large proportion of the poles and wires, should there be an international falling out.

Power disruption to essential services would make things very difficult to manage.

The concern with the LPI is that improved computerisation will lower costs for the new owner, yet the government is tied to an annual payment based on the rising CPI.

Sounds like a nice little earner to me, encouraging cost cutting and service reduction at the expense of the public.

NSW has a Triple A credit rating and is currently ranked the top state for economic performance, so the government’s economic management is going well. Why is it suffering the stutters?

The situation begs some important questions: does a government with an excess of funds make the best decisions?

Are projects determined on merit or to appease vocal interest groups (or mates)? Does the surplus of cash make it less concerned with value for money?

This would be a valuable research subject for a curious enquirer.

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The banking Royal Commission is bringing out some almost unbelievable stories of people being deliberately misled by the banks and their contracted financial advisors, with many people losing their life savings, their businesses and/or their homes as a consequence.

The government fought long and hard to deny this Royal Commission until public opinion became irresistable and they eventually had no choice.

Of course, the large political donations by the banks played no part at all in the government's antipathy because we all know they are never influenced by such unsolicited generosity.

However the more we learn, the worse it gets for the banks and the various government bodies involved.  

People were taken advantage of because they trusted their banks: one suspects those days are gone forever now.

There was an interesting suggestion last week coming out of the apparent success of the Royal Commission, and that was to hold another into the taxation system.

It would be a great way to take it away from the politicians to create a sound base for the future, but your scribe is not holding his breath.

The pollies would have too much to lose if they couldn't fiddle as they do, and they need to ensure that their particular end of town is looked after. 

The other increasingly compelling reason is the recent publicity about the number of taxpayers, particularly small businesses without the financial capacity to fight in court, who have been unfairly targetted by the Tax Office.

Allegations are that the ATO has exerted unfettered power against an unacceptedly high proportion of these businesses and has effectively bankrupted them, in many cases undeservedly so 

The tales of woe from the ATO might rival the rank from the banks, should a Royal Commission proceed.

Great idea but little chance of it happening.

Feather Duster No 3

T Lobb