comment, opinion,

GOVERNANCE is certainly not all about French pasties, glossy brochures and self-congratulatory speeches. And nor should it be - running the state is a serious business. But the bells and whistles are not without merit, and their absence raises questions for serious consideration. The idea that "politics is no popularity contest" came into sharp focus earlier this week as the state government clocked up its first 200 days in office. The Liberals marked their first 100 days in power with an all-singing, all-dancing road trip across the state. Lavish breakfasts, lunches and dinners were laid on for Tasmania's business community. Ministers tussled for poll position to spruik their early successes. Impressive pamphlets documented each of the Hodgman government's achievements during its first three-odd months at the helm. Some line items were a little light on, it must be said, but in the mix were several significant achievements. Big blue ticks filled internally produced government scorecards and pats on the back were liberally applied. It was jubilant, it was triumphant and it was a little exciting. Many in the state's political press pack couldn't wait for the next big shindig - the ribbon sandwiches, lemon squash and generous colour printing when the government notched up another tonne. But for all the fanfare of the first 100 days, the double century was conspicuously low-key. Murray Street was eerily quiet on the big day and ministerial media opportunities were scant. The opposition offered up the only visual prop - an unsurprisingly biting appraisal of their Liberal foes' first six months. Gone were the soirees, the pamphlets and the party pies. The Liberals have hit significant roadblocks in recent months as they've tried to forge ahead with their legislative agenda. Many powerful stakeholders on the government's Christmas card list have been burned by their gung-ho approach. Tearing up the forest peace deal was never going to win the government favour with environment groups, though its hard to imagine Liberal ministers shedding tears over the further fractured relationships. In reality, it is the government's anti-protest and wage freeze legislation, as well as its approach towards the Triabunna Mill and Integrity Commission, that have been the most critical in damaging ties with influential allies. Proposed laws cracking down on workplace protests have drawn scorn from people including (but not limited to) lawyers, activists, civil libertarians, farmers, Aboriginal campaigners and United Nations experts. Despite an almighty "backflip" and promise to overhaul the scope of who the laws could ensnare, many stakeholders are still deeply unhappy. Its wage freeze legislation offsided the Industrial Commissioner, the International Labor Organisation and several once-sympathetic conservative upper house MPs. The latter could prove hugely powerful adversaries when the government next faces policy hurdles. Promising to axe an additional 500 public servants has infuriated unions and could seriously stretch the friendship with agency heads who are already trying to find mammoth savings. The state's business community, purportedly the government's biggest fans, were noticeably measured in support of the dramatic change of tack. The government's refusal to rule out a forced takeover over the Triabunna Mill is not boding well with a significant investor to the state, and the ongoing uncertainty is frustrating the tourism sector. A proposal to tear the teeth from the state's corruption watchdog drew a spirited spray from the Integrity Commissioner this week and raised many a community eyebrow. The government has noble plans to mend the state's economy and turn Tasmania's future fortunes around. The Liberals' long-term effectiveness should be much more straightforward if they can stop applying the blowtorch to key relationships in the process.