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By: Joseph27 (Registered ) on 14-10-2007 00:40

A budgetary surplus in itself isn’t representative of efficient government, if we look the two components of that surplus we see earlier aggressive spending cuts that are only now being addressed coupled with a mining boom – it isn’t hard to see why we are in this situation. Had 1996 gone Keating’s way, I don’t believe that things would have been that different economically though he of course would have increased super contributions to 15% level and further reformed the work place though not to the extent of the Coalition.  
 
Though such an argument is purely academic, I raise it because I don’t feel that John Howard is as deserving of many of the praises bestowed on him. I will however agree that the GST was perhaps one of the ‘ballsiest’ moves that luckily off despite a lower base vote at the federal election. I used to be a fan of Howard and I voted for him many times, I wrote this initial piece because I feel that he wasted so many opportunities on further structural reform whilst manipulating the electorate with fear to stay in power.  
 
Now as for Rudd, he is an unknown entity though he can’t be pigeon holed as easily in the traditional labor liberal party politic paradigm. His family is successful and rich; he is intelligent and knows both the bureaucracy and foreign affairs. He brings a unique set of skills to the job – I am concerned by the role the unions think they will have post election however I believe that this election will bring us some surprises and distancing from unions.  
 
Howard looks like he is calling an election now, the campaign will be hard fought and full of dirty tricks – I will be interested to see how the party back rooms fight this one out.

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