The families of Middle Australia are paying more for their mortgage under John Howard than they were under Paul Keating. It’s true that Keating left interest rates too high for too long. Just as it’s true that Treasurer Howard gave Australia 21.4 percent interest rates in 1982.
The point is this: Howard’s interest rate rises hurt even more than Keating’s.

So it wasnt Labors doing for 17% interest rates or the 90plus Billion dollar debt or 10-11% unemployment.

Think I prefer the low interest rates now, no debt with surplus 3-4% unemployment and even a Government that has the balls to make unpopular decisions .

Seen the results of too many Australian Labor governments to ever want to see another. Agree whole heartedly with the post I have quoted.

Thats why Costello is Treasurer.

Short term memories...you are absolutely correct there. Let me refresh everyones...

When Hawke won the March 1983 elections, Keating became Treasurer, a post which he held until 1991. Keating succeeded John Howard in the position, and with it an economy that needed much attention. During Howard's tenure as treasurer, inflation had peaked at 12.5% in September 1982, and interest rates peaked at 22% on 8 April 1982.

The Hawke/Keating governments were able to lower the inherited high interest rates and inflation, and also to keep inflation mostly under control, except for some periods of high inflation. However, the inflation rate under Hawke and Keating did not exceed 10 per cent.

Which just goes to show that Labour can take over and actually improve things !

Bring back Harold Holt - he'd keep the economy afloat.

If he could have floated as well himself, he might have survived past his 60th birthday !

I'm surprised no-one has said " It's Bennelong campaign for John Howard "











I'll get my coat.

Bennelong lonely, lonely, lonely time ... according to Jeanette he hasn't rocked or rolled for 3 years.

voted for the first time today.. cant wait to kick this slimely lying rodent out...

had a nice sausage as well...

Your memory isn't that hot either. You've forgotten the total mess that the Fraser government inherited from Whitlam. They had to get the country back from the verge of bankruptcy. Hawke/Keating inherited an economy that the Libs had started to turn around. And don't forget the recession we had to have or Keating saying that we would become a banana republic.

Labour will get in but will probably get kicked out again in 3 years when Kevin can't deliver on his promises.

Obviously you Queenslanders werent around when Dr Death reigned supreme up there! I wouldnt give Rudd the time let alone my vote - he really isnt a very nice man (and yes, I have met him)

Voted in person for the first time ever today.

In the UK I was always overseas for elections, so it was proxy for me.
I got to the polling place early to avoid the rush and still waited 20 minutes, not too bad as it's a sunny day in Darwin

Howard, Howard, Howard all the way. Rudd is full of hot air. They just "spin" everything like bloody labour in the UK. They say what people want to hear. If I hear "working families" one more time I will scream. Labor are going to stop houses being expensive are they? How? Labour are going to reduce prices in the supermarket? How? Labour are going to cut the price of oil (which is a world wide phenomenon) How? They haven't given any answers, in fact Swan has said they can't explain how they will do it. House prices go up in boyant economies, it happened in the UK under a left wing government. I want a strong economy for my kids, so they have some choice in life. I think the Howard government has been an incredibly competent, organised and disciplined lot. The ALP is full of trade unionists and apparent ex-socialists, ugh!

If Australia votes them out, I will seriously be scratching my head, thinking what a spoilt and ungrateful lot the Aussies are.