Iemma attacks his own ministers

Premier Morris Iemma has lambasted several ministers of his government, criticising them for arrogance and telling them to work harder in their positions, following the continuing fiasco over political donations.
The attack was supported by Karl Bitar, the ALP general secretary, who told ministers they would be annihilated in the polls unless they put more effort into their game.
The dressing - down will not impress ministers in the government, several of whom think the 2011 election is unwinnable and are planning to retire at that time.
Iemma also delivered an attack on journalists, saying he would not “cop any more attacks from journalists and would be hitting back.”

An MP at the meeting said Iemma was frustrated that “everything he is trying to do gets slammed.”
MPs were not impressed at being brought in during the weekend to be criticised. “It was wrong to have the general secretary and the staff there,” said an MP. “Bitar and Murray (Iemma’s Chief of Staff) were just patronising.”
Iemma’s attack on his ministers is an indication that the debacle over political donations to NSW government is starting to hurt the Premier. While his demand that his ministers work harder is well-placed, his criticism of the media is not.
The unfriendliness of the media towards Iemma and the Labor government is brought on by years of ineptitude by the Iemma government. If a Labor minster display an unwillingness to govern in the interests of the people, it is the right, and the obligation, of the media to shine a light on their practices. It ensures the government will continue to govern to the best of its ability. The media isn’t attacking Iemma because they hold a grudge. They are attacking Iemma because he isn’t doing his job.