Watkins on government arrogance

Tracy Watkins writes:

Finance Minister Grant Robertson’s budget this week will loom over generations to come; it’s no exaggeration to say it’s the most important budget in decades.

There will be intense debate about whether he has got it right; so it’s unfortunate that as we head into budget week the government is exhibiting premature signs of the affliction known as third-termitis.

That was most evident in the emergence of a leaked memo this week in which ministers’ offices were advised not to waste any time defending themselves to the media – not because they had anything much to hide but because (to paraphrase) people love us anyway, so why bother?

It’s the assumption behind that advice that is so alarming; it speaks of supreme confidence at the moment that this government can do no wrong in the eyes of the public.

It was very telling that the PMs Office was saying let’s just dismiss criticism rather than debate it.