Opinion

Good cop, bad cop: government uses bag of tricks to get their own way during pandemic

John Warhurst
Updated July 2 2021 - 3:41am, first published May 7 2020 - 4:30am
Education Minister Dan Tehan played 'bad cop' on Victorian Premier Dan Andrews for his alleged failure of leadership in not acceding to the federal government's desire for a quicker re-opening of government schools. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Education Minister Dan Tehan played 'bad cop' on Victorian Premier Dan Andrews for his alleged failure of leadership in not acceding to the federal government's desire for a quicker re-opening of government schools. Picture: Sitthixay Ditthavong

We have many popular images for ways of imposing upon other people. We call it sticks and stones, carrots and sticks, good cop bad cop, iron fist and velvet glove and/or using honey or vinegar.

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John Warhurst

John Warhurst

Canberra Times columnist

John Warhurst is an emeritus professor of political science at the Australian National University and a regular columnist for The Canberra Times.

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