Walsh policy strategy complements premier

In contemporary government, the reality is that political advisers with direct access to ministers wield far more influence than traditional public service advisers.

As such, many of the Gallop Government’s key policy decisions are driven by the influence of a small group of advisers.

In the premier’s office, the top person is widely considered to be his long-serving chief of staff, Sean Walsh, who has been with Dr Gallop since 1997.

Mr Walsh, a teacher by training, is regarded as someone who reinforces Dr Gallop’s naturally cautious approach to policy making.

In particular, he is wary about upsetting pressure groups judged to be electorally important, especially the green lobby.

One measure of Mr Walsh’s influence was Dr Gallop’s brief election victory speech in February. Only two advisers were thanked by name – Mr Walsh and ALP state secretary and campaign director, Bill Johnston.

Another key adviser to the premier is Kieran Murphy, who worked for several years as Dr Gallop’s media minder before moving last year to his current role as director of strategic management.

Mr Murphy has established a strategic policy group in the premier’s office that includes Rita Saffioti, who was formerly director of economic policy but has since taken on a broader, strategic advisory role.

The strategy unit, which also includes Bruce Campbell-Fraser, is described by insiders as being charged with the task of giving the Government a clearer strategic vision.

Mr Murphy and Ms Saffioti are considered to be the main countervailing influence against Mr Walsh.

They are seen as people who attach less weight to ‘soft’ concepts such as sustainability, which punctuated many of Dr Gallop’s speeches in his first term of government.

The influence of Dr Gallop’s personal advisers stands in marked contrast to the role of Mal Wauchope, director general of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Mr Wauchope’s counterparts in other states are key contributors to policy development, yet his main focus seems to be administrative and policing roles. Hence, he is often dubbed “the dead hand of the 18th floor”.

Other key advisers in the Government include Eric Ripper’s chief of staff Mike Megaw, who has been closely involved in internal Labor politicking, and Jim McGinty’s chief of staff, Danny Cloghan.

The key people in Alan Carpenter’s office are his long-serving chief of staff, Peter Terlick, and policy adviser Neil Roberts, who worked for former state development minister Clive Brown and is considered influential on resources industry matters.

ADVISERS (ALP)

•           Sean Walsh

            Premier’s chief of staff.

•           Kieran Murphy

            Director Strategic Management, premier’s office.

•           Rita Saffioti

            Strategic Management adviser, premier’s office.

•           Mike Megaw

            Eric Ripper’s chief of staff.

•           Danny Cloghan

            Jim McGinty’s chief of staff.