BRENDAN Smyth has counted the numbers and done the calculations in accepting the sinecure offered by Chief Minister Andrew Barr.

Rather than another four years in the political wilderness, he has decided to jump ship to take up the newly announced role of commissioner for international engagement.

If the Liberals win government at the October election, Smyth will have no chance of replacing Jeremy Hanson as leader or even being his deputy. He will never be Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister. If the Liberals lose, he is banished to opposition for yet another four years.

Barr has deployed a most cynical manoeuvre to pull a popular MLA from an electorate where the Liberals stood a very good chance of winning three seats.

Barr has also done his calculations. Indications from the last election would suggest that (without Zed Seselja in the electorate) Smyth was capable of pulling a quota on his own and providing a leg up for a third Liberal to be elected in Brindabella – as happened at the last election.

Opposition Leader Jeremy Hanson is not fazed.

“Brendan’s vote is largely a Liberal Party vote,” he told “CityNews”. “I remain optimistic about winning a third seat in Brindabella”.

Although thanking Brendan for his service in a gracious manner, Hanson did not mention the position of ‘commissioner for international engagement’ the Chief Minister has created.

It is ideal for Smyth as a former minister in the ACT government, a long-term and effective member of the Assembly and a former Federal MP who has an appropriate background in business.

This is dubious politics – the ethics are questionable. How could Smyth resist the Chief Minister’s offer of a role that entails “finalising the strategy governing Canberra’s international engagement. This international plan will focus our efforts to build enduring international relationships, supporting jobs and cultural exchange”?

The Carnell government set the precedent when Kate Carnell appointed her predecessor, Rosemary Follett, as a Commissioner for Discrimination. Most unbiased observers would argue Rosemary served the position well. Labor’s Terry Connolly was appointed as Master of the Supreme Court and later as a judge. He was an outstanding performer in government and in opposition when he was appointed by the then Liberal Attorney General, Gary Humphries. The appointment considerably weakened the Labor Party. Connolly was later appointed to the ACT Supreme Court by Chief Minister Jon Stanhope. 

When Liberal Bill Stefaniak was made appeals president of the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal by Stanhope, the Labor leader understood the impact it would have in the electorate. 

I wrote at the time that the motivation was clear. Removing Stefaniak, who had a big personal following in the electorate of Ginninderra, provided a considerable advantage for Labor. However, as happens from time to time in politics, it was the Greens that capitalised on the gap that was created.

The third Saturday in October this year promises a very close election in the ACT. Opposition Leader Hanson has a team that’s pulling together.

His ACT Liberals have fought an effective long and sustained campaign on two main issues: increasing rates and light rail. Both are scare campaigns. However, there is enough truth in the assertions to ensure considerable impact on voter intention. In every electorate, including Brindabella, it is the third seat that’s up for grabs and will determine who takes government.

It is difficult to unpick the motivation of all of the players, but there is no doubt that one less seat in the next election will have a significant influence on the outcome. However, after 18 years’ service to the community, as one of the longest-serving MLAs, it would be churlish to argue that Smyth isn’t deserving.

It is a different story with the process. It remains unclear whether or not the commissioner for parliamentary ethics, Stephen Skehill SC, has been consulted on this appointment. I doubt it. He should have been. Political appointments of this kind, no matter how well they turn out, really ought to be done through proper process.

Michael Moore was an independent member of the ACT Legislative Assembly (1989 to 2001) and was minister for health.