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most problematical. After two terms in office, the one-man band seemed to be faltering. Labor had won and maintained office largely on the politics of personality. The Premier had dominated the State scene, carrying the rest of the Government on his shoulders.

In the early years, there had been many popular initiatives, with the people enjoying a sense of progress. Inevitably, when the initial goals were reached, some faults were found, some inherent cracks in the administrative structure became obvious.

The most serious defect was deep seated corruption. For generations, successive governments had been forced to come to terms with a hierarchy of criminals who could reach into many of the corridors of power. Given the colonial history of New South Wales, it was hardly surprising that its politicians, bureaucrats, magistrates and police were traditionally held in low public esteem. According to folklore, many of them were "on the make". The most notorious recent examples had been Askin and his police commissioner, Norman Allen. Both were known to be villains; but they were members of the conservative establishment. Their activities had been tolerated, and Askin's political popularity had sustained his government.

While there was no evidence of Wran being personally involved in any corruption, his

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