Premier would find a better balance with a larger parliament

On Sunday, he announced he would be handing over the portfolios of tourism and climate change to others to "better balance my responsibilities". All well and good, especially given his recent health scare, but what of the ministers who will be burdened with more?

Braddon MHA Roger Jaensch will take on climate change, which certainly does have "synergies" with his environment portfolio, but he is also already the Minister for State Growth; for Aboriginal Affairs; for Local Government and Planning; and for Heritage.

Sarah Courtney is best known as the Education Minter, having swapped the health portfolio with Jeremy Rockliff after this year's election, and also is Minister for Skills, Training and Workforce Growth; for Children and Youth; for Hospitality and Events; and for Disability Services. Now she will also have tourism.

The contrast is rather stark with such uninspiring ministers as Jane Howlett and Jacquie Petrusma, whose workloads are just not comparable. In fairness to these two, they are stepping up and doing a job when there are few other options open to the government, yet they are clearly not seen to be on the same level.

What it all highlights, yet again, is that with a 25-member House of Assembly no government is likely to have the depth of talent needed to ensure a strong cabinet, where every minister can take on a fair and reasonable share of responsibilities.

A larger ministry is no answer because there are already too few government MPs on the backbench to serve on parliamentary committees and the like.

All parties agree, at least in principle, on the solution - a restored lower house. There remains, however, a lack of political will.

So many are so unable to get their heads around the fact that we need more politicians that it would take a brave government to make it happen.

Until it does, ministers - and the cause of good governance - will continue to suffer.