A bit of kite flying going on in the papers today, I think.  Some Labor Party figures, including cabinet Secretary John Faulkner, Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith and Treasurer Wayne Swan, have been pushing for former leader Kim Beazley to be appointed Australia’s next
Governor-General.

Bad idea!  Appointing someone like Beazley (who, by the way , seems a decent and inoffensive man) justs shouts out loudly that the politics of patronage, of jobs for the boys, are alive and well in the new federal government.  Dumb move!  They need to make a clean break from the sort of low standards that the previous government set with political appointments to positions such as this (and diplomatic postings, etc).  These jobs should not be seen as rewards for good service to the party, or extra superannuation for long and faithful service.  They should be filled by the best person for the role.

Anyway, the idea didn’t last long in the public arena.  PM Kevin Rudd, has already ruled it out.

“When we turn our minds to this, the next Governor-General of Australia will not be a former or serving politician, conservative or Labor,” :

“And the reason being is I believe it’s an office which is often best discharged by someone from the broader community.”

Now I’m sure the government never really had any intention of appointing Kim as GG …. seems like someone’s been running the flag up the pole to see if who salutes.

I expect  the government would really want to appoint a woman Governor-General … a first for Australia, and a stamp on our history that I’m sure many in government would like to be responsible for.  Any ideas who the strongest candidates might be?

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