Government accountability is a pillar of democracy and when it is eroded, democracy is eroded.

A convention of the Westminster system of government is ministerial responsibility. A minister is responsible for her or his department – or government business enterprise – and a departmental failure is a ministerial failure. The consequence is the minister’s resignation. Another Westminster system principle is the executive is accountable to the parliament.

Former Deputy Premier and Treasurer Michael Ferguson resigned from cabinet on 14 October over the ferries fiasco, the biggest and most costly infrastructure blunder in the state’s history. He resigned the day before parliament was to consider a no-confidence motion in him. It is doubtful he would’ve resigned if the Liberals had a majority. His resignation is an example of the parliament working as it should: holding the executive to account.

But Mr Ferguson was not solely responsible for the debacle that will cost Tasmanians hundreds of millions of dollars. The boards of the TT Line and TasPorts should also resign and if they refuse, the Premier should sack them. In government departments, private companies – big and small – people are held accountable for their actions.

When people see board members – answerable to the government  through their shareholder minister(s) – not being held to account, they lose trust. It shows there’s a rule for us and a different rule for them which undermines institutions and democracy.

Premier Rockliff’s announcement yesterday that government business enterprises will be reviewed, and some could be amalgamated, is a step in the direction of improved accountability, transparency and serviceability. Given the state’s dire budgetary position, the temptation to generate a windfall by selling a GBE is tempting. But privatisation would be a step away from democratic ideals.

It’s easy to question if a government should be in the shipping (TT Line and Tas Ports) business or the insurance business (the Motor Accidents Insurance Board). A private company – that exists to make a profit – is not nearly as accountable to government as a GBE. Tasmania’s GBEs are monopolies and are fundamental components of the economy and so should remain with government.

The government’s review must result in new arrangements, including new boards, to better serve Tasmanians.