Comments on: The Howard Years: history told by the players http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/ now with extra source Tue, 24 Nov 2009 17:38:17 +1100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Bernard Keane http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17766 Bernard Keane Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17766 The absence of Moore-Wilton was very significant. His role in beating the public service in to submission was critical for the rest of the Howard era. And as Brent notes, the absence of any mention of the numerous travel rorts scalps was a bad omission. I mean Graham Morris - fine mind that he is - was a casualty of them himself, as was John Sharp.<br /><br />Reith's Albert Speer act - declaring he had virtually no idea what was going on - is impossible to believe, given the whole waterfront show was run out of his office with the bureaucracy kept entirely in the dark. Both he and Howard were obviously being economical with the truth in their interviews. Most of the rest sounded credible. The absence of Moore-Wilton was very significant. His role in beating the public service in to submission was critical for the rest of the Howard era. And as Brent notes, the absence of any mention of the numerous travel rorts scalps was a bad omission. I mean Graham Morris - fine mind that he is - was a casualty of them himself, as was John Sharp.

Reith’s Albert Speer act - declaring he had virtually no idea what was going on - is impossible to believe, given the whole waterfront show was run out of his office with the bureaucracy kept entirely in the dark. Both he and Howard were obviously being economical with the truth in their interviews. Most of the rest sounded credible.

]]> By: Attack Dog http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17767 Attack Dog Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17767 Everyone told the truth about the wharf dispute except Peter Reith who stuck to his original script.<br />How embarrasing that his co-conspirators have now hung him out to dry. Everyone told the truth about the wharf dispute except Peter Reith who stuck to his original script.
How embarrasing that his co-conspirators have now hung him out to dry.

]]> By: Heathdon Asks http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17768 Heathdon Asks Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17768 I saw Howard's murky recollection of events he might not be proud of and crystal clear recollection of events he was proud of. Isn't the biogropher of Howard who was shouted off of nines election night coverage for flying the workchoices flag behind this.<br /><br />truth is alien to these people I saw Howard’s murky recollection of events he might not be proud of and crystal clear recollection of events he was proud of. Isn’t the biogropher of Howard who was shouted off of nines election night coverage for flying the workchoices flag behind this.

truth is alien to these people

]]> By: Jack H Smit http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17769 Jack H Smit Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17769 Thanks - and accurate. I'l just ask one single question: "Where was 'Max The Axe' Moore-Wilton in yesterday's episode???? Thanks - and accurate. I’l just ask one single question: “Where was ‘Max The Axe’ Moore-Wilton in yesterday’s episode????

]]> By: Nigel http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17770 Nigel Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17770 What amazed me was the fact that the Rodent kept coming back to " I had to act/ or I would look weak" THe sign of a weak politician is one who worries how HE would look. But his comments were always about him, not the Government, not the Country but JWH... What amazed me was the fact that the Rodent kept coming back to ” I had to act/ or I would look weak” THe sign of a weak politician is one who worries how HE would look. But his comments were always about him, not the Government, not the Country but JWH…

]]> By: st eve martin http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17771 st eve martin Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17771 I won't be watching "T he Howard Years", it's too fresh in my memory. To be objective the producers should have waited about 10 or 15 years to do an objective job on Howard's Way, but maybe the ABC wanted o be first cab off the rank. I won’t be watching “T he Howard Years”, it’s too fresh in my memory. To be objective the producers should have waited about 10 or 15 years to do an objective job on Howard’s Way, but maybe the ABC wanted o be first cab off the rank.

]]> By: Nigel http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17772 Nigel Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17772 What amazed me was the fact that the Rodent kept coming back to " I had to act/ or I would look weak" THe sign of a weak politician is one who worries how HE would look. But his comments were always about him, not the Government, not the Country but JWH... What amazed me was the fact that the Rodent kept coming back to ” I had to act/ or I would look weak” THe sign of a weak politician is one who worries how HE would look. But his comments were always about him, not the Government, not the Country but JWH…

]]> By: BH http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17773 BH Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17773 Nah, your memory isn't any more faulty than mine, Bernard. We've been told that the ABC has spent an enormous sum on making this documentary - can you find out how much please.<br /><br />Why was it necessary for the Presidential Suite of a hotel to be booked for the interview. Who paid for it and how much did it cost?<br /><br />The most awful part was when Peter Reith, with a very childish grin on his face, showed his delight that John Howard's family, and especially Janette, had his support. - that said it all about that Government.<br /><br />Likewise Peter Costello - searching for sympathy. Look at me! I am the one who worked the hardest! <br /><br />Pity they weren't chucked out long ago - no vision, wasteful porkbarrelling, and smallminded the lot of them.<br /><br /> Nah, your memory isn’t any more faulty than mine, Bernard. We’ve been told that the ABC has spent an enormous sum on making this documentary - can you find out how much please.

Why was it necessary for the Presidential Suite of a hotel to be booked for the interview. Who paid for it and how much did it cost?

The most awful part was when Peter Reith, with a very childish grin on his face, showed his delight that John Howard’s family, and especially Janette, had his support. - that said it all about that Government.

Likewise Peter Costello - searching for sympathy. Look at me! I am the one who worked the hardest!

Pity they weren’t chucked out long ago - no vision, wasteful porkbarrelling, and smallminded the lot of them.

]]> By: Dennis http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17774 Dennis Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17774 I could tolerate (just), seeing the old man Howard still trying to convince all in sundry, he did what he did for Australia. Bullshit, he did what he did for Howard, bullied on by Mrs H. I could smile at the spineless Costello, still wailing about the injustice of it all. Mind you I could sort of sympathise with him over the announcement of the GST, Howard made him look like a pratt, what a wanker. My worst recollection was Reith still lieing after all these years, he was a worthless yobbo then and if anything is worse now. We are better off for his absence, a dispicable person. The series obviously isn't going to get better for Howard, and he deserves to be shown for the nasty divisive tyrant he further developed into. I could tolerate (just), seeing the old man Howard still trying to convince all in sundry, he did what he did for Australia. Bullshit, he did what he did for Howard, bullied on by Mrs H. I could smile at the spineless Costello, still wailing about the injustice of it all. Mind you I could sort of sympathise with him over the announcement of the GST, Howard made him look like a pratt, what a wanker. My worst recollection was Reith still lieing after all these years, he was a worthless yobbo then and if anything is worse now. We are better off for his absence, a dispicable person. The series obviously isn’t going to get better for Howard, and he deserves to be shown for the nasty divisive tyrant he further developed into.

]]> By: diana http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17775 diana Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17775 um not Bernard BH um not Bernard BH

]]> By: Marilyn http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17776 Marilyn Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17776 Max the axe didn't become well known until after the 2001 election.<br /><br />I wanted to gut the lot of the cowards. Max the axe didn’t become well known until after the 2001 election.

I wanted to gut the lot of the cowards.

]]> By: Tom McLoughlin http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17777 Tom McLoughlin Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17777 I have a high regard for Fran Kelly, invite her in as it were every morning especially tete-a-tete with Cobber Grattan most days. However as the dust settles on the PR ramp up it's clear there are some major omissions. <br /><br />As Ben Eltham points out today in the string on New Matilda, what happened to Kyoto treaty? I similarly asked yesterday would they cover Jabiluka involving thousands of annoyed Aussies. Another dimension on the environment was the still bogus RFA forest deals compounding Keating's dumb ignorant appeasement of the CFMEU on woodchipping.<br /><br />I thought it was really well made subject to omissions but almost in an enough rope sense. Right or wrong I came away thinking Howard's badgering and hectoring of the Blacks at that conference was deliberate baiting. That he wanted and needed Agri Business in the tent and moral and legal principle over Wik be b*ggered. It's easy for a pro politician to turn on an emotional cover. I think Howard was acting with barely a sincere word uttered even in defiance: He wanted the affection of the rednecks at the cheap price of one outrageous speech to the Indigenous.<br /><br />Same with Hanson. The metaphor of the flame seems apt, like the Steve Biko song by Peter Gabriel in another context. You can blow out a candle - Hanson, but you can't blow out a fire - Hansonism. That takes a fire hose. The PM's Office was the fire hose and he didn't even bother turning the hydrant on for 7 months. I have a high regard for Fran Kelly, invite her in as it were every morning especially tete-a-tete with Cobber Grattan most days. However as the dust settles on the PR ramp up it’s clear there are some major omissions.

As Ben Eltham points out today in the string on New Matilda, what happened to Kyoto treaty? I similarly asked yesterday would they cover Jabiluka involving thousands of annoyed Aussies. Another dimension on the environment was the still bogus RFA forest deals compounding Keating’s dumb ignorant appeasement of the CFMEU on woodchipping.

I thought it was really well made subject to omissions but almost in an enough rope sense. Right or wrong I came away thinking Howard’s badgering and hectoring of the Blacks at that conference was deliberate baiting. That he wanted and needed Agri Business in the tent and moral and legal principle over Wik be b*ggered. It’s easy for a pro politician to turn on an emotional cover. I think Howard was acting with barely a sincere word uttered even in defiance: He wanted the affection of the rednecks at the cheap price of one outrageous speech to the Indigenous.

Same with Hanson. The metaphor of the flame seems apt, like the Steve Biko song by Peter Gabriel in another context. You can blow out a candle - Hanson, but you can’t blow out a fire - Hansonism. That takes a fire hose. The PM’s Office was the fire hose and he didn’t even bother turning the hydrant on for 7 months.

]]> By: Kevin Charles Herbert http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17778 Kevin Charles Herbert Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17778 <br />I couldn't bear to watch The Rodent Howard & his fellow witless political spivs, attempting to ingratiate themselves into mainstream Australian political history.<br /><br />I don't need to witness any more performances from a group who collectively brought Australia's political class into international disrepute.<br /><br />Post Tampa I was ashamed to call myself Australian. ...then Iraq, then David Hicks, then Guantanamo etc etc <br /><br />Every time I hear that dill Abetz declare ' the golden Howard years', it makes me want to pewk..... I couldn’t bear to watch The Rodent Howard & his fellow witless political spivs, attempting to ingratiate themselves into mainstream Australian political history.

I don’t need to witness any more performances from a group who collectively brought Australia’s political class into international disrepute.

Post Tampa I was ashamed to call myself Australian. …then Iraq, then David Hicks, then Guantanamo etc etc

Every time I hear that dill Abetz declare ’ the golden Howard years’, it makes me want to pewk…..

]]> By: Steve http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17779 Steve Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17779 I thought it was an excellent TV show - quite measured - well done ABC! I thought it was an excellent TV show - quite measured - well done ABC!

]]> By: Ted Green http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17780 Ted Green Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17780 There's nothing faulty with your memory, Peter Brent. I well remember Howard's first term, and various commentators and editorials calling for, nay demanding, leadership from John Winston. I was fairly disgusted with the extremely short memories of such people, and fired off a long "Bah, humbug" to the editor of 'The Age' which, bless 'em, they printed in full. Long story short - I said anyone expecteing good leadership from Howard has already forgotten his disastrous record when Treasurer, then detailed other reasons as well. I finished off with words to the effect that, "We HAD strong leadership in this country, which tried to take us forward, kicking and screaming, rather than back to the fifties, but we threw it out at the last (1996) election. Serves you all right. I have no sympathy at all."<br /><br />In the intervening years, I've had little reason to change my opinion on this subject.<br /><br />Yours faithfully,<br /><br />Ted Green<br />3/14 Illawarra Street<br />Glenroy 3046. There’s nothing faulty with your memory, Peter Brent. I well remember Howard’s first term, and various commentators and editorials calling for, nay demanding, leadership from John Winston. I was fairly disgusted with the extremely short memories of such people, and fired off a long “Bah, humbug” to the editor of ‘The Age’ which, bless ‘em, they printed in full. Long story short - I said anyone expecteing good leadership from Howard has already forgotten his disastrous record when Treasurer, then detailed other reasons as well. I finished off with words to the effect that, “We HAD strong leadership in this country, which tried to take us forward, kicking and screaming, rather than back to the fifties, but we threw it out at the last (1996) election. Serves you all right. I have no sympathy at all.”

In the intervening years, I’ve had little reason to change my opinion on this subject.

Yours faithfully,

Ted Green
3/14 Illawarra Street
Glenroy 3046.

]]> By: chris http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17781 chris Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17781 I was a little surprised by the way the gun laws were painted as a personal campaign that was close to Howard's heart rather than an effort to jump on a bandwagon that was rapidly gaining popular momentum...<br /><br />... and we somehow missed the fact that the laws had in fact been drafted several years before by the Tasmanian Greens.<br /><br />Actually I'm not too surprised the ABC missed that bit. I was a little surprised by the way the gun laws were painted as a personal campaign that was close to Howard’s heart rather than an effort to jump on a bandwagon that was rapidly gaining popular momentum…

… and we somehow missed the fact that the laws had in fact been drafted several years before by the Tasmanian Greens.

Actually I’m not too surprised the ABC missed that bit.

]]> By: ian http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17782 ian Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17782 Labour in Power was more compelling, because the characters were more entertaining, and, let's face it, more bitchy about their colleagues.<br />There's not much the current producers can do about this is there? The fact is that, still ,Costello has never bucketed Howard in the manner that Keating and Hawke delighted in doing so. It was very usefu however to be reminded of the manner in which Costello took the running against Hanson Labour in Power was more compelling, because the characters were more entertaining, and, let’s face it, more bitchy about their colleagues.
There’s not much the current producers can do about this is there? The fact is that, still ,Costello has never bucketed Howard in the manner that Keating and Hawke delighted in doing so. It was very usefu however to be reminded of the manner in which Costello took the running against Hanson

]]> By: Terry Quinn http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/11/18/the-howard-years-history-told-by-the-players/#comment-17783 Terry Quinn Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-17783 Last night's first episode of The Howard Years seemed like the early stages of a beatification and those who have always called him blessed would have been warmed by it. Last night’s first episode of The Howard Years seemed like the early stages of a beatification and those who have always called him blessed would have been warmed by it.

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