John Howard's legacy

The Australian election last night finally brought an end to the conservative Howard Government. While going on record about one’s political beliefs is not always a wise move, I feel it is important to remember what Howard has done to this country.

The only positives I can think of are the Government’s role in reigning in gun control laws in the mid 90s, and the introduction of a GST which I believe did play an important part in simplifying tax laws. The Government’s role in the economy is not that relevant and its successful image is largely a result of its propaganda more than anything. Maybe their input or influence in a fairly successful economy is around 20-30%. Other key factors of course, would be the role of the central bank, international economies, other State governments, and the business confidence and spending and saving by Australian themselves. In any case, there is no evidence that an ALP Government would have been unable to handle the economy as successfully, if not better during this period.

But on the negative side of the Howard Government, the list is damning:

- deteriorated relations with Asian countries in the key Asia Pacific region
- deteriorated relations with muslim people, muslim nations and other minority groups
- deteriotated relations with Indigenous people and a refusal to publicly say sorry for previous Government’s harmful policies
- a more dangerous Australia, and a creation of Australia as a target of terrorism
- a culture of lies, deceitfulness and ignorance in not dealing with so many critical issues – a complete lack of integrity
- lies and total disregard for integrity with key issues in election campaigns such as the Children’s Overboard scandal, our entry into the Iraq war for WMD, keeping interest rates to a 30 year low
- a lack of vision for Australia and a refusal to move to becoming a Republic in our own right
- complete ignorance with key policy issues – the environment and climate change, education funding, social services funding and a reduction in funding for these areas
- erosion of rights for workers (removal of unfair dismissal laws) and changes to contract negotiations as always favouring the employer
- a ridiculously high personal debt level that has not been managed during the so called housing boom, that is leading to an increasing number of households unable to meet debt repayments, and a generation of Australians unable to afford housing

In total, a black spot in Australia’s progress. Our International image has deteriorated significantly from our backing of the US in Iraq, our repressive immigration laws, and the culture of division that the Howard Government has engendered. Our country has not been able to keep up with changing technology demands with one of the poorest broadband speeds in the world (let alone the Western world). When one thinks carefully, about progress over an 11 and a half year period – a long time, the positives are very small indeed.

It’s 11.5 years of missed opportunity. We can only imagine the shape and status that Australia might have developed over this period under different circumstances.

Howard’s leadership during this period embarrasses me as an Australian. I’m now looking forward to the future with hope with his departure.