Not just poor personal judgment
I write in relation to the editorial in last week's Times (October 14t).
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Essentially the editorial provided support to Ms Berejiklian by arguing that we all make mistakes in relationships. It concluded by saying that "It would be tragic beyond measure if the good achieved in her public life was undone by a lapse of judgment in her private life".
I think this opinion cannot remain unchallenged, and in fact as her position hangs in the balance, a review of Ms Berejiklian's tenure before and after becoming Premier is merited.
This review will indicate that her judgment has been questionable in general, not just in her private life.
Ms Berejiklian was transport minister when the Sydney light rail project was initiated.
History has shown that this project, of questionable value to the general community, blew out by $1 billion. The primary reason for the blowout was that her department failed to disclose to the contractor the number of underground services involved.
These services naturally needed to be excavated and worked around and so the project's cost escalated. She was the Minister responsible.
Ms Berejiklian was premier when the final decision to move the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta was made. This decision was made and forced through, even though there was widespread community opposition.
Later, she back-flipped and a circus like situation has now developed. Again she showed poor judgment.
Ms Berejiklian also appeared to be the spearhead in demolishing the football stadium at Moore Park just before the last election.
Again, this decision was forced through against very widespread community opposition.
During COVID-19, Ms Berejiklian's Health Minister Brad Hazzard oversaw the fiasco of the Ruby Princess which resulted in people dying unnecessarily.
Again, she saw fit to retain Mr Hazzard, despite his apparent incompetence.
Shortly after, the nightmare of Newmarch House began. Again with Mr Hazzard at the wheel and again supported by the premier.
Now, Ms Berejiklian's Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, is embroiled in a scandal which has cost taxpayers $700 million dollars. And again, she selected him as Treasurer.
To me, her poor judgment in relation to Daryl Maguire is not the important issue.
The main issue here is that Ms Berejiklian has a long history of making poor decisions.
Now at ICAC, she appears to be somewhat economical with the truth, although time will tell.
Simply because she appears to work hard and has great "energy and determination" as pointed out by the Times editorial is actually irrelevant.
Ms Berekilian has presided over a government which in many ways has ridden roughshod over the community. She has consistently shown poor judgment in various ways.
G. Miller, Termeil
Mayor excluded from conference
At last Tuesday night's Strategy and Assetts meeting of council, a group of councillors voted to exclude the mayor from being a voting delegate at this year's Local Government New South Wales Annual Conference. Shoalhaven Council are allocated five voting delegate positions.
This is disrespectful not only to the mayor personally but to the position of mayor and to the people of the Shoalhaven who voted for her. It is yet another example of their inability to cope with Councillor Watson not being mayor and of their attempt to break a woman who has proven to be unbreakable, despite their constant attempts.
The following councillors voted against the motion that included the mayor as a voting delegate: Crs Wells, White, Watson, Kitchener and Proudfoot.