tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14237465.post114299628468612274..comments2024-03-22T19:12:22.089+11:00Comments on One Salient Oversight: ShameNeil Cameron (One Salient Oversight)http://www.blogger.com/profile/03143948543305522865noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14237465.post-1143164091034957492006-03-24T12:34:00.000+11:002006-03-24T12:34:00.000+11:00BTW, do you have Michelle Grattan's book on Oz PMs...BTW, do you have Michelle Grattan's book on Oz PMs? It is a good read...Craig Schwarzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11156017639962303656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14237465.post-1143096375705699532006-03-23T17:46:00.000+11:002006-03-23T17:46:00.000+11:00I am rather surprised. I thought you would have pi...I am rather surprised. I thought you would have picked Hawke - certainly he is my pick for best Labor PM.<BR/><BR/>The thing about Whitlam is that he was martyred so early that it's not possible to subject his contribution to Oz in a really critical way. It means people can romanticise him - as they do.<BR/><BR/>But (as you acknowledge) there is plenty of bad there to go with the good. He was massively unpopular by the time of the dismissal. <BR/><BR/>I think some parts of his legislative program were good - federalising tertiary education, reducing tariffs and Medibank.<BR/><BR/>But all the ideas in the world are no good if can't pay the bills. Hawke was a much better Labor PM - practical, got things done.Craig Schwarzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11156017639962303656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14237465.post-1143004464989661822006-03-22T16:14:00.000+11:002006-03-22T16:14:00.000+11:00Let's see:Howard: Generally good economic policy a...Let's see:<BR/><BR/>Howard: Generally good economic policy although current account hasn't been addressed. Showed his true colours from the Children overboard affair and invasion of Iraq.<BR/><BR/>Keating: A very savvy political animal. Had some very good economic ideas as treasurer but ran out of puff while being PM. Could've repaired tax system with a GST but chose not to.<BR/><BR/>Hawke: Ugly, beer swilling and embarrassing. Despite this, managed to reintroduce medicare, floated the $AUD, controlled inflation and began much-needed microeconomic reform.<BR/><BR/>Fraser: Didn't seem to have a clue. Couldn't control inflation and kept Australian industry and agriculture protected and weak.<BR/><BR/>Whitlam: Essentially tried to set up a communist revolution with some very very good social schemes that were more than matched by some exceptionally bad fiscal decisions.<BR/><BR/>Menzies: Just happened to be there at the time when everyone was happy.<BR/><BR/>My pick would be Whitlam. I suppose that might sound predictable but I am very well aware that the guy made some very stupid fiscal decisions. The guy did throw money around like it was going out of fashion which, if you take inflation into account, it probably was.<BR/><BR/>But it was social programs like Medicare that really influenced Australian society. for the better, as well as investment in education. These two things have really helped Australia be one of the top nations according to the UN Human Development Index.<BR/><BR/>But I'll say again - he was a fool when it came to financial matters. He should have been more responsible with the extra spending he set up, and he should have balanced the spending with tax increases.Neil Cameron (One Salient Oversight)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03143948543305522865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14237465.post-1143001042367039432006-03-22T15:17:00.000+11:002006-03-22T15:17:00.000+11:00Who would you rate the best Australian PM and why?...Who would you rate the best Australian PM and why?Craig Schwarzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11156017639962303656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14237465.post-1143000948257862882006-03-22T15:15:00.000+11:002006-03-22T15:15:00.000+11:00Craig, Craig, Craig.Now whatever gave you that ide...Craig, Craig, Craig.<BR/><BR/>Now whatever gave you that idea?<BR/><BR/>(lol)Neil Cameron (One Salient Oversight)https://www.blogger.com/profile/03143948543305522865noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14237465.post-1142999387641576922006-03-22T14:49:00.000+11:002006-03-22T14:49:00.000+11:00I'm starting to detect a pattern Neil. I'm going t...I'm starting to detect a pattern Neil. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that maybe you don't like GWB so much?Craig Schwarzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11156017639962303656noreply@blogger.com