In a grubby week in Victorian politics, I was reminded about decency

August 6, 2026 — 5:00am

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The past week has shown the worst of politics. A leadership challenge. A FIFO shitshow from Pauline Hanson. The findings of Operation Richmond, an anti-corruption investigation into the murkiest episode of Dan Andrews’ premiership.

As a sequence of loosely related events in Victorian affairs, it showcases our lesser instincts. The betrayal and deceit required to topple a leader. Hanson’s cynical mission to harvest votes from fear and anxiety. The brutal calculus of Andrews’ appeasement of a union boss.

It is thoroughly grubby stuff which, after days spent writing or reading about it, leaves you in need of a wash. It also has a deeper, corrosive effect on how we feel about politics and the people who practise it.

There was also a moment last week that reminded everyone that decency has not disappeared from Spring Street and that most people enter and exit parliament with noble intentions of doing good while they are there.

Tim Read, a Greens MP from Brunswick, gave his final speech to parliament last Wednesday. It was valedictory in more than one sense, as Read is leaving politics and has run out of treatment options for his cancer. As he noted with elegant understatement: “I’m seeing life and politics from a new perspective.”

A full Legislative Assembly was unusually quiet as he spoke, save for laughter at the funny bits. There were quite a........

© The Age