The right-wing intelligentsia must be able to write this kind of stuff almost on autopilot. When are they going to get bored by it? A new economic age has come crashing down on us and it’s time for a new generation of commentators that reflects that age. Doctrinaire free-marketeers have had their day.

why not fast forward to 1991 and show it to that nice Mr Keating as he prepares to take on the mantle of PM? He may be interested in the views of Jack. With stout resolve he may ward off the yapping of those Libearl stooges opposite: Peacock, Downer, Hewson, and that discredited eminence grise, little Johnny Howard.

Dear Labor Party member,

It reads,

I write to you as a member of the Party I lead and as a part of the greater labour movement, with advice for your generation of laborites.
Though many years will have passed between the time I write this, and though I do not doubt that the State in which you live is a much-changed and strange place, I am confident that a few basic blocks of our Nation’s settlement will have endured: those being a White Australia, Protection for industry and agriculture, just arbitration between workers and Industry, and the universal franchise. In such an environment, I have confidence that there also endures political representation for the working man; for where labour organises through need, it also must find a political outlet of hope. It is with confidence in these statements, therefore, that I address myself to you.
I urge you, as a laborite, to remember my experience.
The Government of which I was Premier struggled to deal with the crises of our economic system. The crises of currency and of banking that crossed the globe in the last two years were the arena against which I struggled, with the support of Caucus. It is true that the years were tumultuous; while Leader of the ALP I alienated the Party from its Industrial wing, and arranged for my supporters only to be preselected as Labor candidates. It’s true that my policy was out of step with those of the Labor Federal Government and the other States. I have faith, however, that robust politics will never die in the ALP!
Neither were the popular conditions of my Government those I would have chosen: we were assailed on all sides by a reactionary and anti-democratic Tory press, save for the newspaper I owned, we were treated by big business and big industry as if ours was an illegitimate Government, and most of all we faced a decline in popular faith in democracy itself.
I urge you, once more, to learn from the failures of my Premiership. Control or court the gutter Press. Spend money. Reconcile with or control the Labour Council and the unions. Most of all, if you need to, sack the Governor or sideline him.
Yours in unity,

[It's signed here in black ink]

J.T. Lang
15-05-1932

I’m not sure what to do with it.

I agree with Andrew that 4 year terms are too long, but like many NSW residents the likelyhood that Fatty O’Barrell’s mob will rule come 2011 doesn’t seem a more appealing notion than the current dingbats. And nor is the MSM interested in discussing the necessary reform to process to improve governance. Witness Saturday’s Herald which led the News Review section with a glorious whine about the North Shore being done over by evil Sussex Street buffoons, while burying Rick Feneley’s piece on the corrupt structures of Labor. Want better participatory democracy, chappies of the MSM? How about we start with multi-candidate electorates and fairer systems of proportional representation?

Well, it may be, but it’s also a standard feature of the current Federal (Westminster) system. As Andrew E pointed out, Gough Whitlam called one election early (1974 Double Dissolution) hoping to gain a political advantage – stymied when his Gair wheeze was punctured. For centuries, British PMs, and for decades Australian PMs have chosen an election date to suit their party.

In Victoria, “fixed 4 years” still allows the Premier some flexibility. [No, I don't mean the flexibility of Bracksy, getting re-elected then p**sing off].

There is still a slower but ultimately satisfying modus operandi for NSW: a sequence of decisive by-election losses for the Rees mob (reluctant to call ‘em a Government).

With each loss, the Rees majority reduces, until finally a vote of no confidence is passed in the House. Perhaps hastened by a couple of Rees rodents jumping ship onto the cross benches just before the iceberg looms up in the mist?

That slow process may further hinder administration in NSW [if that were possible] but for interstate observers may provide a long, slow, agonising death watch entertainment.

Surely that would sell more newspapers, Doyen Kelly? Make a nice cup of tea, Mr Doyen: sit back and watch the operetta unfold. Plenty of NSWALP blood to be spilt before the fat lady waddles out onto the stage.

Sack the media.