How Australia's Prime Ministers Are Viewed

[Punk Rooster]

I stumbled across this opinion piece-
http://www.convictcreations.com/history/primemine.htm

it suggests that Howard & Hawke are our 2 best current-day Prime Ministers- an opinion I tnd to agree with.
It seems to be free of political bias, but I'm also looking to others with greater experience to perhaps embellish on their achievements/failures.

For mine Howard did a great job of putting the economy into a sound position- whether he was popular or not.

[Punk Rooster]

I'd like to add that Howard wasn't perfect, & the 2 issues I'll condemn him strongly on are-

To make houses more affordable, introduced a $7K first home owner's grant. Median prices for houses in Australian capital cities rose by an average of $32,000 over the next year, making houses less affordable
Refused to dismiss a governor-general who was engaged in the cover-up of paedophile activity

I think Rudd has proven what we suspected the Labor Party of being- incompetent managers of the Australian Economy, whose spending is irresponsible & short-sighted at best.
That pre-christmas bonus was a costly distraction to & for Australians...

[Gozu]

Howard put the economy in a sound position? You do realise that PM's have SFA to do with the economy? It's not hard sitting back and watching the resources boom thanks to China's growth. Let's not forget he was the worst Treasurer in history either.

How in anyway have Labor (or Rudd, who obviously sits back running the economy) been incompetent? This will be good.

[Punk Rooster]

Howard put the economy in a sound position? You do realise that PM's have SFA to do with the economy? It's not hard sitting back and watching the resources boom thanks to China's growth. Let's not forget he was the worst Treasurer in history either.

How in anyway have Labor (or Rudd, who obviously sits back running the economy) been incompetent? This will be good.

PM's have SFA to do with the economy?
Jeez, there's some news that will shake up world economics!

[redandblack]

PR, Howard made an art form out of giving cash bonuses when it suited him politically, so how about opening your eyes just a little bit.

[am Bays]

PR, Howard made an art form out of giving cash bonuses when it suited him politically, so how about opening your eyes just a little bit.

Rumours are Howard used the Ros Kelly memorial whiteboard when distributing "cash bonuses"....

Lets not try to claim the higher ground there R&B....

<Edit>

My point is this parties in power do use their positions for political gain it pre-dates the magna Carta..

Ros Kelly might not be the best example, personally I wouldn't mind casting a cursory glance over teh selection processes of teh bevy of ministerial advisors of teh current Rann governemnet. Bob Ellis WTF if ever a position was created for a political Party hack on the back of the government purse...

[redandblack]

Not sure how you can read any claim to the moral high ground there, TM?

Merely pointing out an equalising fact to PR.

By the way, the summaries of the PM's in that website are laughably simplistic. As a political scholar, I think you'd agree, TM.

[am Bays]

Not sure how you can read any claim to the moral high ground there, TM?

Merely pointing out an equalising fact to PR.

By the way, the summaries of the PM's in that website are laughably simplistic. As a political scholar, I think you'd agree, TM.

See my edit as i tried to decend from any moral higher ground....

The objective my post was teh same as yours - a counter arguement.

[Psyber]

PR, Howard made an art form out of giving cash bonuses when it suited him politically, so how about opening your eyes just a little bit.

Yes, it looked like a modified copy of Paul Keating's pattern of pre-election tax cuts, including the "L.A.W." ones he welshed on after he had won the election! They had a lot in common those two..

[redandblack]

That's right, Psyber! I think Keating was modelling the L.A.W. tax cuts on John Howard's 1998 'fistful of dollars' when he was Treasurer

[Psyber]

That's right, Psyber! I think Keating was modelling the L.A.W. tax cuts on John Howard's 1998 'fistful of dollars' when he was Treasurer

It is a recurring political pattern, and like the Serbs and Croatians, each would argue the other started it!
That was my basic point in response to your one-sided statement.

[redandblack]

Yes, I must stop making these one-sided statements

Perhaps I can do that by adopting your method of only applying that test to other posters offerings

[Psyber]

Yes, I must stop making these one-sided statements
Perhaps I can do that by adopting your method of only applying that test to other posters offerings

I'll try improve my technique and balance too - is it a deal?

[redandblack]

Always happy to strike such a deal with you, Psyber

[Squawk]

[quote="1980 Tassie Medalist] personally I wouldn't mind casting a cursory glance over teh selection processes of teh bevy of ministerial advisors of teh current Rann governemnet. [/quote]

TM - you and me both.

Funny how the govt can announce a need to cut a few thousand jobs in the PS yet NO mention of them cutting any of their own staff nos. Cossies, MLOs, Media Advisers, etc etc. the current ratio of government advisers to opposition advisers is 6 to 1. They are all paid from the public purse and its amazing how many get given ongoing jobs every 4 years in March, just in case an election is lost, and in many other cases, they are given jobs irrespective of that date!

[The Big Shrek]

Flicked through the channels onto Bastard Boys for a little while last night. Remember how Howard's government supported Corrigan in sacking union workers?

I also remember Howard lying about asylum seekers throwing kids overboard.

Howard should be remembered as a fear mongering and divisive politician.

[JK]

Flicked through the channels onto Bastard Boys for a little while last night. Remember how Howard's government supported Corrigan in sacking union workers?

I also remember Howard lying about asylum seekers throwing kids overboard.

Howard should be remembered as a fear mongering and divisive politician.

Rubbish ... He should be remembered by how any individual chooses to do so.

[The Big Shrek]

Flicked through the channels onto Bastard Boys for a little while last night. Remember how Howard's government supported Corrigan in sacking union workers?

I also remember Howard lying about asylum seekers throwing kids overboard.

Howard should be remembered as a fear mongering and divisive politician.

Rubbish ... He should be remembered by how any individual chooses to do so.

You're right, individuals can remember the tooth fairy too. If they choose to do so.

[Dirko]

You're right, individuals can remember the tooth fairy too. If they choose to do so.

I'd take what the Tooth Fairy tells me over Krudd......

[Q.]

Are these core or non-core beliefs?