Jeff Kennett tells Premier Ted Baillieu to lift his game JEFF Kennett has slammed Ted Baillieu's leadership style - with his stinging criticism endorsed by members of the Premier's own Cabinet. The former premier, who still wields enormous influence in the Liberal Party, put his protege on notice, saying "the buck stops at the top." Two Cabinet ministers - both Baillieu supporters - joined the criticism, with one lamenting the Government was "bordering on dysfunctional." In delivering his rebuke, Mr Kennett said: "One of the responsibilities of government and leadership is actually taking the people with you, giving them a sense of buzz." He criticised the Government for "reacting rather than leading." And I've got to say to you, I think that is far from good enough. I don't think they are good communicators," he said. Mr Kennett referenced the two-year teachers dispute, saying it had taken too long to resolve. "Two-and-a-half years ... that's half the time of the Second World War," he said during a radio interview. Mr Kennett also criticised the Premier's handling of the parliamentary superannuation dispute revealed by the Herald Sun, saying: "If the Government had been on the front foot, the public would have totally supported what the Premier was doing." He then turned to reports Mr Baillieu had been sitting for months on legislation that would see Hoddle St killer Julian Knight behind bars for life, saying: "If they have got something there that locks up Julian Knight for life, why wouldn't you announce it?" One minister said that 20 months from the next state poll, with a redistribution of electoral boundaries and a federal election looming as major distractions, time was running out. "It's bordering on dysfunctional," the minister said. There was an expectation that we would get our message out and that hasn't occurred. Mr Kennett's decision to launch his broadside during an interview with 3AW's Neil Mitchell has brought to the surface simmering discontent with Mr Baillieu's leadership. Mr Kennett told the Herald Sun he stood by his remarks and remained a supporter of Mr Baillieu. "I am a strong supporter of his, I brought him into Parliament," he said. Asked about Mr Kennett's spray, Mr Baillieu responded: "Well, there's one message today, there's one message today, and that is that bushfires are very dangerous, bushfires in Victoria are particularly dangerous, they can have tragic consequences and they are dangerous for not only communities, and we are here to better protect communities today." with James Campbell