There has been a lot of talk recently about ministerial responsibility. In the end, it seems to be a fluid concept that depends on how much public pressure is applied to remove a Minister rather than on any kind of philosophical template.

Which is why Peter Garrett didn’t lose his job, but lost his power and his reputation.

But there is a Minister in Australia whose idea of ministerial responsibility is so slack that it’s extraordinary he still holds his job — Victoria’s Planning Minister Justin Madden — whose media adviser’s private strategy document was mistakenly leaked to the ABC last week. In it, the hack advised how the Victorian government could halt a big development in central Melbourne while using a sham consultation process to justify the move:

“Windsor Advisory Committee report is expected to recommend that development go ahead … Strategy at this stage is to release it for public comment, as this affects the entire community, and then use those responses as reason to halt it, as we have listened to community views.”

However you cut it, the accidental release from Madden’s office has exposed the cynical, manipulative nature of ministerial politics in a way that should see the boss of that office — the Minister — given the boot.

If he isn’t, the Victorian Government is sending a clear message to the electorate about its idea of business as usual.