I don't like to get into political arguments with people because I doubt they fully understand and comprehend the Australian political and economic situation - however, I am hoping that you Bunsen Burner can understand.
So here goes nothing, a major, and possibly the only reason the government have such good economic growth figures, low unemployment, price sability, etc... is due to the reformist Hawke and Keating govts. The implemented economic reforms known as microeconomic reform - with things such as labour market deregulation (reducing the role of unions in the workplace, thus increasing productivity and efficiency) decreased tariffs, privatised GBE's (ie CBA) and other numerous measures, however, as you know (well I hope you do), micreconomic reforms do not immediately have an impact, taking 7-10 years, thats right 7-10 years (the howard govt have only been in 8!!). Further, theses reforms initially resulted in increased unemployment,a s firms tried to become more efficient and productive by removing inefficient work practices - the easiest way to do so is to sack your worst workers, however, if you look at the u/employment figures, once theses reforms began to kick in (that is growth rose) u/employment fell as the reforms had their intended impact. ence, Bunsen Burner, Hawke and Keating are the mai instigators for this good period of growth, whilst Howard has just continued on and taken credit from the ALP, further, if the ALP are such bad economic managers how come under Beazley and Crean this was never an issue, but under Latham it is, I'll tell you why because Latham is incpompetent and any other leader would have swallowed Howard up over his I/R Bull***t. Also Bunsen Burner their is a well known saying in AUstralian politics, when you need the job done and someone is required to turn around things,the ALP are voted in, whilst when everything is going along spiffingly the Liberals are voted in, evidenced in the 1930's when Bruce was voted out and in 1941 when the greatest PM of all time, John Curtin was voted into office to lad the country during its most difficult hours. Bunsuen Burner i hope that you were able to comprehend this and also were able to look at this unbiased and objective view which if you still do not believe has also been expressed in many great political texts.