POLITICIANS always tread a fine line and judgment under pressure defines the thoroughbreds from the hacks.
Judging by this week's performance, Greens leader Nick McKim is heading for the glue factory.
Everybody understands that the Greens are opposed to the proposed Bell Bay pulp mill, although the fact that they can remain part of a cabinet and government that supports the project is incongruous to most voters.
Where Mr McKim stepped over the line this week was warning away any potential investors and saying they ``would face a massive community backlash'' even before it was known whether Kiwi billionaire Richard Chandler had actually bought Gunns shares.
Now the radical elements of the environment movement and the rusted on opponents to the mill would think any attack on the project is fair game.
But in the words of Mr Chandler's senior adviser Alan Kelly: ``The pulp mill project is expected to create over 3000 jobs, significant bio-energy power generation, strong export revenues and $1 billion in state and federal taxes.''
It is supported by both houses of state and federal parliament and both major parties that represent nearly 84 per cent of voters.Mr McKim has massively underestimated the repercussions of his comments which have been widely interpreted as talking down Tasmania in the eyes of business owners, tourism operators and investors.
He must accept that perception is reality and in this case we have a member of cabinet telling investors to take their money and jobs elsewhere.
People interstate see our government as a schizophrenic mess _ divided on major issues with cabinet members having an opt-in and opt-out clause that defies parliamentary logic.
We are seen as taking more than our fair share of federal funding and failing to deliver on basics like elective surgery.
For Mr McKim, a senior partner in Labor-Green government, to proactively attack investment in Tasmania at a time when jobs and investment are scarce is a step too far.
The only thing that rates close to this is the reaction of Premier Lara Giddings who somehow read the tea leaves and blamed Will Hodgman.
Instead of addressing Mr McKim's political treason she claimed that the Liberals were playing the spoiling role.
``I'm more concerned about Will Hodgman and the Liberal Party campaign to talk Tasmania down.
``He talks about me reining in Nick McKim, I want to know how I can rein in Mr Hodgman.''
When Ms Giddings returned from holidays in late January she made it clear that Mr Hodgman was going to be one of her targets in 2012.
Strange strategy indeed to focus on your opponent when you are meant to be the policy maker and setting the agenda.
The fact remains that Ms Giddings is the Premier and one of her senior cabinet ministers has actively talked down investment in Tasmania and yet she does nothing.
If Ms Giddings thinks Will Hodgman is the problem she is in a clear state of denial.
MARTIN GILMOUR, editor
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