Perrottet's unwavering support for icare board is damaging
Dominic Perrottet is usually known for shrewd political judgment so it is baffling he appears so reluctant to accept that the public agency he created and champions is his problem.
The state-owned insurer icare is Perrottet's baby. He set it up when he was finance minister and fiercely defends it. Last week he boasted he was "very proud of the work icare does every single day".
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has repeatedly backed the board of the troubled insurer icare. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Perrottet argues icare is a far better scheme than the one it replaced. He is also adamant the board must retain the independence it was given when icare was established. He insists that to assert his authority over the board now would create a perception that it lacks critical autonomy. But this argument does not protect Perrottet.
The board of the multi-billion dollar public insurer reports to him and is appointed by him, which is why his attitude to the troubled agency is surprising.
Day after day as questions have been raised, including on the floor of NSW Parliament, Perrottet has praised the board and its executive.
As more revelations of financial mismanagement and underpayment of injured workers have been aired, many of which he has maintained are historical issues, Perrottet has stood firm.
"The icare team and the executive icare team do a superb job," he said last week.
"The people of icare and the board of icare and the senior management team should be applauded for the work they have done."
The board ensures "the highest standards when it comes to service delivery."
But Perrottet's seemingly tone-deaf support for the board, and icare's management including fallen chief executive John Nagle, raises questions about why the Treasurer is avoiding decisive action.
He is resisting opposition demands to sack the board, but he cannot ignore the problems at his agency. The Treasurer has had a largely charmed political run, with the exception of the odd misstep such as his ill-thought out seat swap to cut down the time he spends commuting.
But for an ambitious minister, who is touted as the next premier, Perrottet's approach is inadequate. The board and management of icare are his responsibilities.
If Perrottet wants to step up, he needs to show he is ready. And this is a big test.
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