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With a couple of people trying to label Howard as "best ever" I thought a ranking of best and worst would be in order. I'll divide it into conservative and alp to avoid accusations of bias (which will be unsuccessful no doubt). Also will stick to post WWII as would find it hard to pass judgement on those prior (other than Jack Lang who would definitely get a mention).
PM
Best
Conservative
Menzies - steady pair of hands. Helped no doubt by the DLP and communism but still a giant. Helped Australia to avoid the worst excesses of the welfare state found in Europe and NZ. The economy was ok (our living standard in the 50s was 2nd best in the world) even if dependent on raw materials. Little or no debt either public or current account. We even used to have aircraft carriers whilst at the same time having a top rate of tax that applied to only a very small % of the population.
Honourable Mention - Howard. Well he didnt have much competition from the others did he?
Worst
Fraser: shocking effort. Had control of the senate so no excuses. Talked tough but did nothing to revers the nonsense that came under Gough. Who would have thought that a former ACTU boss would have made him look like a socialist?
ALP
Hawke. Slightly controversial given the way Curtin is revered. However war time leaders tend to get lionised slightly and Curtin introduced the welfare state, whilst Hawke was arguably the greatest reforming (in terms of the economy) pm since WWII. Even staunch conservatives would admit part of our economic performance now is due to his early years in office.
Honourable Mention - Curtin.
Worst: Gough then daylight. Tried to do 100 things at once all poorly. Massive increases in spending, govt and current account debt. A few more years of him and the IMF would have been called in. Extremely hard to argue he wasnt Australias worst pm. Even many of his so called triumphs like ending the white Australian policy were due to previous conservative govts.
Premier
Best
Conservative
Joh. Ran a balanced budget for 30 odd years, had no debt yet still managed to have the best health system and roads in the country. First one to deregulate the labour market and got rid of probate. Also helped to get rid of Australias worst ever pm. Helped by gerrymander but that wasnt unique to Queensland and was in fact introduced by the ALP. Sure there was some corruption (as there was in NSW, WA and still is in Vic police allegedly) but doubt that he was personally corrupt as he was well off before entering politics and gave away his entire salary to the church. Was a god botherer but prepared to forgive him for it.
Honourable mention - Kennett - reversed decades of unperformance in relation to NSW. Greiner not far behind for bringing in a system of financial management, budgeting and accountability that nearly all premiers now abide by. Bolte and Playford should get a mention somewhere.
ALP
Best
Jim Bacon. Odd perhaps but then you have to be a miracle worker to breathe confidence into Tasmania and reverse the population decline. All this from Norm Gallaghers former right hand man!!
Honourable mention
Goss/Beattie. Inherited well but havent done anything to stuff it up. Carr too, but he has really let himself down lately.
Worst
Cain/Kirner. Complete and utter shambles. When was the last time 10s of thousands of people marched against a state govt like they did then? Brian Burke a very close second, wasnt he a very naughty lad. Dishonourable mentions to Unsworth, Bannon, Field.
PM
Best
Conservative
Menzies - steady pair of hands. Helped no doubt by the DLP and communism but still a giant. Helped Australia to avoid the worst excesses of the welfare state found in Europe and NZ. The economy was ok (our living standard in the 50s was 2nd best in the world) even if dependent on raw materials. Little or no debt either public or current account. We even used to have aircraft carriers whilst at the same time having a top rate of tax that applied to only a very small % of the population.
Honourable Mention - Howard. Well he didnt have much competition from the others did he?
Worst
Fraser: shocking effort. Had control of the senate so no excuses. Talked tough but did nothing to revers the nonsense that came under Gough. Who would have thought that a former ACTU boss would have made him look like a socialist?
ALP
Hawke. Slightly controversial given the way Curtin is revered. However war time leaders tend to get lionised slightly and Curtin introduced the welfare state, whilst Hawke was arguably the greatest reforming (in terms of the economy) pm since WWII. Even staunch conservatives would admit part of our economic performance now is due to his early years in office.
Honourable Mention - Curtin.
Worst: Gough then daylight. Tried to do 100 things at once all poorly. Massive increases in spending, govt and current account debt. A few more years of him and the IMF would have been called in. Extremely hard to argue he wasnt Australias worst pm. Even many of his so called triumphs like ending the white Australian policy were due to previous conservative govts.
Premier
Best
Conservative
Joh. Ran a balanced budget for 30 odd years, had no debt yet still managed to have the best health system and roads in the country. First one to deregulate the labour market and got rid of probate. Also helped to get rid of Australias worst ever pm. Helped by gerrymander but that wasnt unique to Queensland and was in fact introduced by the ALP. Sure there was some corruption (as there was in NSW, WA and still is in Vic police allegedly) but doubt that he was personally corrupt as he was well off before entering politics and gave away his entire salary to the church. Was a god botherer but prepared to forgive him for it.
Honourable mention - Kennett - reversed decades of unperformance in relation to NSW. Greiner not far behind for bringing in a system of financial management, budgeting and accountability that nearly all premiers now abide by. Bolte and Playford should get a mention somewhere.
ALP
Best
Jim Bacon. Odd perhaps but then you have to be a miracle worker to breathe confidence into Tasmania and reverse the population decline. All this from Norm Gallaghers former right hand man!!
Honourable mention
Goss/Beattie. Inherited well but havent done anything to stuff it up. Carr too, but he has really let himself down lately.
Worst
Cain/Kirner. Complete and utter shambles. When was the last time 10s of thousands of people marched against a state govt like they did then? Brian Burke a very close second, wasnt he a very naughty lad. Dishonourable mentions to Unsworth, Bannon, Field.
