RubySoho
Winston
The Howard Years
November 17th 2008 11:25
The ABC just screened the first installment of The Howard years, its four part documentary series on former Prime Minister John Howard. The series will continue each Monday at 8.30pm. This episode took us through from his 1996 victory over Paul Keatiing to the eve of his somewhat surprising 1998 win. I say surprising because after watching the program and the unpopularity of some of his policies and reforms I am astounded that there were actually any people left in Australia that he had not alienated.
Two months into his term and the Port Arthur massacre led to his tough stance on gun control, which made him very unpopular with the sorts of people who like to play with deadly weapons and seem to be incapable of reaching the conclusion that yes, guns do actually kill people. And I was thinking, yeah, wouldn't have been such a bad PM had he quit immediately after confiscating all those guns.
But of course he didn't, he went on to alienate the trade unions and union workers during the Waterfront Dispute, where he essentially tried to cripple the Maritime Workers Union.
His handling of the Native Title Act (which stated that native title could co-exist with pastoral lease), managed to outrage both the Indigenous population and the rural landowners with each thinking he was going to shaft them in favour of the other.
The rise of Pauline Hanson had all the racists scrambling out of their closets. Poor dears, how hard it must have been for them to stay silent on the perils of our Asian neighbours for so long. How nice it must have been for them to out their xenophpbia for all the world to see. To give it air, let it breathe, let it burn like a fire (that's from a song and I will give ten karma points to the person who can guess it). Hanson received much support from the rural community who felt betrayed by the Nationals and the Liberals due to the gun control and native title issues.
The 1998 budget saw a major slashing in funds to education and health and public services, triggering nationwide protests.
And there was the GST. The never, ever GST. That's where part 1 of the series ended, with the polls predicting he was going to lose the election quite convincingly. But of course, the polls were wrong. We all know the outcome. But I am scratching my head and wondering, how? How on earth did he win in 1998? Who voted for him?
After all of that, who was left to vote for him?
Two months into his term and the Port Arthur massacre led to his tough stance on gun control, which made him very unpopular with the sorts of people who like to play with deadly weapons and seem to be incapable of reaching the conclusion that yes, guns do actually kill people. And I was thinking, yeah, wouldn't have been such a bad PM had he quit immediately after confiscating all those guns.
But of course he didn't, he went on to alienate the trade unions and union workers during the Waterfront Dispute, where he essentially tried to cripple the Maritime Workers Union.
His handling of the Native Title Act (which stated that native title could co-exist with pastoral lease), managed to outrage both the Indigenous population and the rural landowners with each thinking he was going to shaft them in favour of the other.
The rise of Pauline Hanson had all the racists scrambling out of their closets. Poor dears, how hard it must have been for them to stay silent on the perils of our Asian neighbours for so long. How nice it must have been for them to out their xenophpbia for all the world to see. To give it air, let it breathe, let it burn like a fire (that's from a song and I will give ten karma points to the person who can guess it). Hanson received much support from the rural community who felt betrayed by the Nationals and the Liberals due to the gun control and native title issues.
The 1998 budget saw a major slashing in funds to education and health and public services, triggering nationwide protests.
And there was the GST. The never, ever GST. That's where part 1 of the series ended, with the polls predicting he was going to lose the election quite convincingly. But of course, the polls were wrong. We all know the outcome. But I am scratching my head and wondering, how? How on earth did he win in 1998? Who voted for him?
After all of that, who was left to vote for him?
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Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
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You must remember that as the news comes out every night not many are taking it all in. Pauline Hanson had also managed to garner a lot of support from ex-Labor voters too.
Funny thing about Hanson was that her social policies (apart from how she spoke about Asians and Aboriginals) were almost far to the left. For one, she was much opposed to economic rationalism and the market economy.
I don't think most Australians were aware of just how much John Howard was totally in control - not until his later years as PM anyway.
Good post.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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you know what i always think about Howard: isnt it a shame we (Australians) are so intolerant of the educated and well-spoken, we had Alexander Downer sitting right there and we wouldnt vote for him because he had a toffy (or should i say poofy) accent, i think he would have been brilliant, but alas it was never meant to be . . .
but as Janet said John Howard was totally in control, and thats why he was so successful
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
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Yeah, I figured that calling an election after just two years did him no harm.
Haha Morgan wins ten karma points. I know that just by the still of the clip. I can't watch it as for some mysterious reason my computer has just decided it won't play any YouTube clips anymore. For a YouTube addict, that is very, very annoying.
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Janet Collins
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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dont get me wrong, i dont think hes god or anything, i just dont think he ever really got a fair go from within the Liberal party ranks
im just doing a direct comparison between Howard and Downer . . . i realise hes no Bob Brown
you know what my father always says? Downer's career was over when someone (dont ask me who) caught him wearing fishnet stockings! haha wtf?!?
yep theres a reason not to vote for someone - forget all that education!
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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Comment by RubySoho
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What about "the things that batter"? Isn't that what cost him the leadership?
Comment by Morgan Bell
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poor Alexander!
am i the only person who respects men more for wearing drag, not less? haha
Comment by RubySoho
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Comment by alt_ed
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Comment by Janet Collins
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I think the drag costume complete with fishnets was some sort of fancy dress party outfit but he will forever be remembered for it.
Comment by Carolyn Cordon
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We upper and middle-class South Australians do, you know.
I didn't watch the Howard Years - would have liked to, out-voted by 15 year old son, who has control of the remote when his father is away. I don't care passionately about TV, so my vote doesn't count. At the moment the TV is on because I simply haven't bothered to turn it off. There, I wasn't watching, don't care what was on, so it is turned off!
I'd usually rather read a book, or watch and read at the same time. Or listen to the radio - ABC, which I do often, and always when I'm driving. RN or 891.
Comment by Jeff Musall
Comment by RubySoho
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Hey Jeff, yeah as I hinted above his stance on gun control was just about about the only thing I ever agreed with him on an dapplauded him for. He did actually go against most members of his own party to get his policy through on that one. And his first re-election wasn't too bad, it was 2001 and 2004 that really had me stumped. In 2001 I cried. In 2004 I was too angry and disgusted with my fellow Australians to cry. 2004 was a travesty.
Comment by Janet Collins
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Because I loathed the man so much I saw the whole gun control policy and the launch of it as a political opportunity only - and Howard was not one to miss an opportunity.
Port Arthur was so big and so vivid in everyone's minds that taking them away from some of his own constituency made him look so tough. I even remember him wearing a bullet-proof vest when announcing it and leaving enough of it sticking out for the cameras to catch.
And Jeff, what is even more confusing is that they are called the Liberal Party!