Anniversaries

Shortly, the 10th anniversary of the Howard Government will be upon us. If you has asked me 15 years ago whether this man (now the Prime Minister) had a chance of achieving such a run of success, then I would have laughed.

Howard is undoubtedly a talented political operative. He seems to have his pulse on how the electorate feels about emotive issues like immigration, security and the economy. He is a master of wedge politics and appears to be in unassailable command of his party.

His Government can take credit for sound economic management(though a deep genuflection to the previous government would be in order). But there are matters which go well beyond economic competence which mark this govenment down as both mendacious and ultimately, harmful to Australia's future.

From the beginning, Howard proceeded in a manner contrary to previous administrations. He dropped the ball with respect to Aboriginal reconciliation. What could be wrong with a simple apology? He failed to reign in Pauline Hanson's demonstrably racist party, while slyly stealing aspects of her program in anticipation of capturing the same vote. He manufactured a 'crisis' about so-called (immigrant) boat people, culminating in the disgraceful Tampa incident and on-going sagas over detention centres.

Finally, he dragged Australia into a foolish war against Iraq at the behest of the Bush Administration.

The tide will one day turn and both the US and Australia will have progressive governments again. That day is worth waiting for, though it may take decades for the damage to be repaired, if at all.