Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Woodhouse: likeable, but out of his depth.

OPINION: John Key warned his Cabinet crew not to become arrogant and pick up that dreaded disease third-termitis.

Unfortunately, the vaccination hasn't worked. Some of his crew look a bit green in the gills and have been caught asleep at the wheel in their plush Beehive offices.

The Government's workplace health and safety reforms are an old-fashioned cock-up.

The man responsible is the minister, Michael Woodhouse, a likeable and decent sort of chap. But apparently hopelessly out of his depth on this one.

Yes, his officials have let him down. But the buck always stops with the minister. That's what the big salary and the Crown limos are for.

He must ask the right questions. He must put his officials through the hoops.

He's done none of this. Their collective eyes are off the ball.

What sort of government deems worm farming and mini-golf to be more high-risk activities than beef, sheep and cattle farming – oh and quarrying?

His response was lame: "We have more work to do" and yes it's all a "bit silly".

More people die on farms than any other industry in this country. I can't recall the last death on a worm farm. And the only thing that's ever died on a mini-putt course was my golf credibility.

Then this week it got even more laughable. If only it was a joke. Now school principals are threatening to cancel school camps and rip out playgrounds and trees from the grounds because they fear being held responsible for schoolyard accidents.

They could face a $600,000 fine or someone in charge could be sent to jail for up to 5 years.

Sure, the principals may have been stirring, but this is serious, right? And the Government needs to tell them – don't worry, you're ok. But no-one did.

Boys and girls must be able to play bull rush, climb trees and do tricks on the monkey bars without principals and boards of trustees facing the threat of legal action. But this is what we've come to.

My wife works as a teacher-aide at a school and one of her roles is running the sick bay. She tells me that most days anywhere from 10-25 children come in for a band-aid, some water and a lie down.

From scrapes, to bruises and broken arms and ankles – this is daily life in the schoolyard. We can't have educators lawyering up – and kids must be allowed to be kids. Schools, teachers and principals should not have to live in fear due to a poorly drafted law that can be misinterpreted.

This is school life. My daughter fell off the monkey bars on her third day of school. She was unsupervised. It's life, it happens. I never held anyone responsible. I never considered it. Nor should we.

But this Government must get on top of these issues – and start sending the right messages.

Someone or something needs to stir them from their third-term slumber.

While I'm on this anti-PC crusade, it's worth noting that no-one is forcing anyone to drink for 60 hours non-stop during the Rugby World Cup.

Yes the booze-lobby wins again, but that's no surprise. They have had MPs in their pockets for years.

Not all bars will stay open for every game. It won't be economic. Plus the tough new drinking laws still apply.

Drunken idiots will be shown the door. Those who break the rules will face losing their licence. It's not a free-for-all.

The Greens were concerned that drunks will be walking past schools at 8am as children go through the front gate.

In reality Greenies, just three of the 58 games take place on a school day here.

But let's not let the facts get in the way of the political hysteria shall we?