Thursday, 2nd February, 2006

For many years a friendship with Brian Burke was a political kiss of death and no one suffered more than Norm Marlborough. The former fitter and turner turned union official entered the WA Legislative Assembly aged 40 at a by-election back in June 1986 when Mr Burke was at the height of his popularity.

Norm Marlborough moved to and won the new seat of Peel in 1989 but had not achieved ministerial office by the time the exposure of the excesses of WA Inc saw Labor thrown from Government. Mr Marlborough himself re-elected in the blood-bath of 1993 and became Shadow Minister for Local Government, Racing and Seniors. He stayed a shadow minister until Labor's victory in 2001 under the leadership of Geoff Gallop.

Then the disappointment. The 15 years in parliament and eight years as a shadow minister counted for nothing with a Premier determined to clearly demonstrate that he was a different kind of leader to Mr Burke. Dr Gallop banned his ministers from speaking to Mr Burke and former senior minister Julian Grill. As a friend and Burke protege, Norm Marlborough was passed over as a minister.

With Dr Gallop's retirement and replacement by Mr Carpenter, Messrs Burke and Grill were allowed back from Coventry. For the new Premier it is time for the party to move on. Normal dealings will be allowed. "Brian Burke is a citizen of the state, he operates in the state, he's interested in politics and all that sort of stuff, but he's not going to influence me."

Maybe not but The Australian's Nigel Wilson reported that the "disgraced former West Australian Premier" orchestrated "a series of cross-factional deals to secure the leadership" for Mr Carpenter. And he had a hand as well in the win by Mr Marlborough in Tuesday's ballot to choose replacements for the departed Dr Gallop and Judy Edwards who stepped down as Environment Minister.

Given this influence, the lobbying efforts of Messrs Burke and Grill are sure to undergo plenty of scrutiny in the years ahead.

WA News