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Recent PMs haven’t risen to fill Lazarus’s shoes

Sophie Mirabella

by Sophie Mirabella

29 Oct 05:30am

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Filed under: Books, John Howard, Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd, Lazarus Rising, Politics

51 comments

As Lazarus rose (albeit for a book launch) this week, the gaping leadership chasm that has been the Prime Ministership since John Howard’s departure was glaringly exposed.

A man who actually answers questions. Picture: Gary Ramage

A recent article in The Spectator on John Howard had the by-line “Remember when Australia had a real PM?”  It’s a fair question.

John Howard’s re-emergence on the national stage this week, along with a raft of shoe-throwing unwashed Howard-haters, only served to remind the public what it has been missing: conviction politics.  Plain and simple.

Love or loathe John Winston Howard, you always knew what he stood for.  You knew he was motivated by core beliefs and that the bedrock of his policy decisions was his assessment of whether they were “in the national interest”.  You might not always agree with his assessment, but you knew he was fair dinkum about it.

The same cannot be said for his two successors.

From “greatest moral challenge” Rudd to “from now on you get the real Julia” Gillard, the highest office of the land has been subject to the whim of opinion polls and focus groups (not to mention internal party machinations) as never before.  It’s occupants have appeared confected and forced, rather than genuine.

I’ve written before about Labor’s ruthless machine men, as described by their own former Secretary and Minister John Della Bosca.  This week Labor Senator and stalwart Doug Cameron confirmed the extent to which debate is carefully controlled by the ALP machine with his “political lobotomies” tirade.

It was a startling admission that brought to mind a zombie army of Labor MPs and Orwellian visions of “thought police” controlling them – and it painted a bleak picture indeed of the internal workings of the ALP.

Cameron’s cry for freedom was swiftly batted down by “Big Brother” Gillard.

Despite her carefully focus-grouped rhetoric like “I’m throwing out the campaign rule book”, and the fey “throwing open the curtains to let the sunshine in” line designed to convey an impression of change, Gillard’s actions since coming to office betray a deep desire to ensure it remains “business as usual” for the Labor machine men.

But then, I suppose she owes them for getting her the gig.

John Howard’s return to the national stage this week really shone a light on the confected “blandness” that both Rudd and Gillard have displayed in office.

He spoke plainly about his beliefs and his convictions.  He stood his ground.  He invoked passionate responses.  Importantly, the re-examination of Howard’s record in Government showed that he actually got things done.  And therein lies the greatest contrast of all.

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51 comments

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    • Joyce Cowshead says:

      05:58am | 29/10/10

      I was tempted to watch Q and A when Howard was announced as the sole guest answering questions about his political tenure. I lasted about 2 minutes before I threw the kitchen sink at the television. After 10 years I,d really had my fill of Howardism and felt ...no I,ve been there done that…no more. However you realize he was the cleverest little rat in our political history,always quick to quip out some verbose explanation of the inexplicable,fastest motormouth on the eastcoast.  A politician stuck for words is a total and abject failure,so both Rudd and Gillard whilst not in Howard,s league, were and are fairly adept.The big failure is Abbott who lurches and lingers too too much,it will be his downfall,bring back Turnbull and the Libs will get back to something vaguely credible.

      Reply

    • MarK says:

      08:17am | 29/10/10

      First shoes then the kitchen sink.

      All for ideology.

      Love progressives. Don’t like something? Don’t agree? No hassle. Get violent and throw stuff like a 5 year old. Or ignore it, shun it and not listen to it (Marr on Insiders is a great example of Ostrich lefties).

      That a girl. Keep up that progressive mindset.

    • TimB says:

      08:56am | 29/10/10

      You’re a Labor/Green voter I assume. They’re the only ones who seem to be calling for Turnbull to retake the leadership.

      He was useless as a leader. The Libs stood no chance with him at the helm. He let Labor have absolute free reign, with disastrous results.

      Libs becoming “vaguely credible” in your eyes seems to mean going back to agreeing with whatever Labor wants, which is just plain stupid.

    • Shane says:

      09:59am | 29/10/10

      sanity prevails.  MarK and TimB spot on. Everyone who would never vote Liberal LOVES Turnbull.  Maybe because they know the Liberals will never win with him as leader…

      Yeh lefties, shut down the discussion by calling people names or chucking things.  Last thing you’d want is debate…

    • hot tub political machine says:

      01:18pm | 29/10/10

      You know what, I would vote Liberal. I have voted Liberal in the past. I think I sit most comfotably in the small l liberal camp. The attitude to Turnbull and anyone who is actually liberal rather than conservative shows just how narrow the broad church has become.

      That myself and some other punchers who are really more centrist than anything get treated with such discourtesy on here is really a sad state of affairs. T’aint the party it used to be. Used to one of the Libs selling points was that it was a party that can handle dissent. But look how the conservatives speak to us small l guys and you can see how welcome we are around the party now.

      Anywhere slightly to the left of John Winston Howard? (you be left of Howard and still very much on the right) “hahah leftie chai latte fool-bugger of to your greens party…..”

      Its not just that the party is conservative. That’s fine. Its rudely and exclusively conservative. Unwelcoming to dissent - which of course means its in intellectual atrophy. Its pretty sad days for the broad minded Liberal today.

    • Brad Coward says:

      02:55pm | 29/10/10

      Joyce Cowshead…..you trying to tell me that you’d vote LIberal if Turnbull was leader ?  I think that you’re talking through your Joyce Cowsa**e !  Mooooooooo-oooooo !!!!!

    • MarK says:

      03:40pm | 29/10/10

      I would happily vote for Turnbull.

      All that has to happen is he move to Port Macquarie and declare AGW total crap.

      I am swayed by persuasive arguments that make sense.

      Turnbull was actually what the Labor party needs to become to stay remotely relevant funnily enough. They cannot compete with the Greens on the left and they cannot beat Abbott on the right. Abbott with guys like Turnbull and Hockey hold the centre okish as well.

      Labor is in a world of pain actually.

    • Mattb says:

      05:30pm | 29/10/10

      MarK, for you to say you would rather have that bumbling idiot Abbott leading the liberal party just proves how silly you are. Turnbull wouldve got the liberal party over the line if he was still leader during the last election. Abbott was virtually handed the win on a plate by the labor party, a party that had just dumped a popular leader and was imploding in the middle of an election campaign, and he still couldn’t form government. He has no real policies- just uncosted ideas, a front bench of talentless morons (except Turnbull) and an attack dog mentality that puts many people off. What’s his prefered PM approval rating at the moment?, yeah, same as it has always been, low 30’s. But go on MarK, you keep defending him mate, if it makes you happy in your little fantasy world of happy conservative boys and girls

    • Against the Man says:

      06:26am | 29/10/10

      Think about this - In his 1st 100 days Kevin Rudd did lots, he even has a mini book published about it. Now he is Australia’s worst PM (even his own party thought so). Gillard’s 1st 100 days went by without a sound or acknowledgement. Why? Because she has done anything of value. She has wasted time recycling the same old loser ministers and ideas and gotten us nowhere.

      Reply

    • Against the Man says:

      06:26am | 29/10/10

      Think about this - In his 1st 100 days Kevin Rudd did lots, he even has a mini book published about it. Now he is Australia’s worst PM (even his own party thought so). Gillard’s 1st 100 days went by without a sound or acknowledgement. Why? Because she has done anything of value. She has wasted time recycling the same old loser ministers and ideas and gotten us nowhere.

      Reply

    • Against the Man says:

      06:26am | 29/10/10

      Think about this - In his 1st 100 days Kevin Rudd did lots, he even has a mini book published about it. Now he is Australia’s worst PM (even his own party thought so). Gillard’s 1st 100 days went by without a sound or acknowledgement. Why? Because she has done anything of value. She has wasted time recycling the same old loser ministers and ideas and gotten us nowhere.

      Reply

    • The Badger says:

      09:39am | 29/10/10

      I liked it so much I said it three times.

      Now spin around and click your heels and say - there’s no place like home.

    • David says:

      07:01am | 29/10/10

      Damn Straight!!!

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      07:38am | 29/10/10

      ‘It was a startling admission that brought to mind a zombie army of Labor MPs and Orwellian visions of “thought police” controlling them – and it painted a bleak picture indeed of the internal workings of the ALP.

      Cameron’s cry for freedom was swiftly batted down by “Big Brother” Gillard.’

      This sounds like Brother Abbott’s statement ‘WE’RE not Stalinist’ ?

      Reply

    • MarK says:

      08:23am | 29/10/10

      What are you talking about?

      What point do you have?

      Given your subsequent post why not just quote all of Sophie’s text and say something like…“But I really like Labor so there”

      Try to be vaguely relevant to the piece and comment on it. It is hard I know but with practice and a cup of tea you can do it

    • acotrel says:

      07:46am | 29/10/10

      ‘John Howard’s return to the national stage this week really shone a light on the confected “blandness” that both Rudd and Gillard have displayed in office.

      He spoke plainly about his beliefs and his convictions.  He stood his ground.  He invoked passionate responses.  Importantly, the re-examination of Howard’s record in Government showed that he actually got things done.  And therein lies the greatest contrast of all. ‘

      Like all great conmen, Howard had to return to the scene of his crime to see if he’d really got away with hornswoggling millions of people!  His answers when questioned about his previous actions were well-considered.  He’d obviously had plenty of time to think about them, and anyway, nothing original was asked during the Q&A programme!

      Reply

    • MarK says:

      08:20am | 29/10/10

      He must have been brilliant if you of all people can only fault the programme for asking unoriginal questions and point to nothing in fact of him getting anything wrong on the programme - in a hostile environment no less.

      Rare praise.

    • very very very says:

      05:29pm | 29/10/10

      acotrel, nothing original was said by him. He’s a tape recorder

    • Daniel says:

      08:04am | 29/10/10

      Stop giving airtime to this war criminal so he can sell his new book!

      Reply

    • Sammy says:

      09:07am | 29/10/10

      So what does that make the Rudd/Gillard/Garrett cockup of killing Australian civilians via the bungled home insulation project?

    • Sammy says:

      09:07am | 29/10/10

      So what does that make the Rudd/Gillard/Garrett cockup of killing Australian civilians via the bungled home insulation project?

    • Macon Paine says:

      12:59pm | 29/10/10

      War criminal? Thats a big charge Daniel. I assume you have plently of evidence to support your accusations? If so why aren’t you rushing it to the authorities? Silly web comments aren’t going to bring a “war ciminal” to justice you know!

    • acotrel says:

      01:30pm | 29/10/10

      MarK, As a conman John Howard is a class act! However exposure to people like him creates a sort of immunity.  It will always be more difficult for the next shyster to achieve credibility. Abbott has got no hope!

    • Bruce says:

      02:12pm | 29/10/10

      Daniel: War criminal ? not sure if you even know the real meaning. Only the enemy calls others that title. Personnaly, I would have thought freedom fighter would have been a better description. However, if thats your definition then you have to include Bob Hawke.

    • Ben says:

      08:30am | 29/10/10

      Bring back Johnny!

      Reply

    • fairsfair says:

      08:30am | 29/10/10

      When I saw this headline and the author I though “here we go”. But this could have been written by an impartial individual and follow the same line.

      I thought Johnny was boring, but I have started snoring since 2008. It almost felt revolutionary (yes I know how dumb that sounds but it is kinda true) when Kev swept into power and embarked on his 100 days of leadership. Tyres went flat pretty fast and now we are left with Julia still trying to work out how to get the Jack out of the boot. Going to take some time people and the kids in the backseat are going to start screaming anytime now.

      Reply

    • David C says:

      01:32pm | 29/10/10

      The Americans are feeling the same way dont worry.

    • The Badger says:

      09:43am | 29/10/10

      Johnny was great.
      If you like divisive xenophobic war mongering American lap dogs.

      Surprised no-one has named a breed of poodle after him. You’d just have to shave a bit off the top - like a reverse mohawk.

      Reply

    • Ross says:

      11:37am | 29/10/10

      They have it is called a Barking Mad Mongrel

    • Joan says:

      09:45am | 29/10/10

      Howard sure showed up Rudd and Gillard-  showed them the style backed with history of what made him a real PM. Rudd comes up as second rate and Gillard doesn’t rate at all…. her talk of assemblies, rule books…. is school marm chatter and her presentation, diction, and phrasing is straight out of school teacher guide. Gillard is not PM quality and definately not anywhere near world leader material.

      Reply

    • Lenny Boy says:

      10:01am | 29/10/10

      Dear Sophie - Your side of politics was not born to rule.  The Divine Right of Kings (even self appointed ones) has been scrapped.  John Howard was a very clever politician but a man with no vision who stalled any progress in Australia for more than 10 years.  Rudd might not have been perfect but at least he tried to move forward. Gillard may look a little school marmish from time to time, but at least the Independents could see she was far less a risk than Mr Slogan.  It was your faction Sophie that cut down the best leader the Liberal party had since Malcolm Fraser when you ganged up on Turnbull’s principled stand on honoring a deal on climate change. have another champagne Sophie and tell your girlfriends how bad the Socialists are and how the working people should get back in their place.

      Reply

    • Andrew says:

      11:28am | 29/10/10

      Lenny Boy how dare you use the f word when talking about the Coalition. Don’t you know that factions only exist in the other party. In the Coalition party room they all join hands and sing kumbayah because they are just so dang united. Apparently if you just keep your two biggest factions registered as separate political parties it makes you more united.

    • Ben81 says:

      12:30pm | 29/10/10

      ha, I love how you said Rudd tried to “move forward” and in the very next sentence call Tony Abbott “Mr Slogan”, right after parroting one of Gillard’s slogans.
      As for the rest of your post… why even bother. “Born to rule”, “Turnbull should be leader” etc… i’ll just let you look desperate all by yourself.

    • pete says:

      10:22am | 29/10/10

      they may not have filled his shoes in your opinion, but they certainly havent licked them. Go and do the work you are paid to do sophie, represent your electorate.

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      03:19pm | 29/10/10

      And as you’re the shadow minister for innovation, how about some real constructiveness for Indi?

    • papachango says:

      11:01am | 29/10/10

      Sophie Mirabella’s article is obviously partisan, but she is absolutely correct. Love him or hate him John Howard was ten times the calibre of Rudd and Gillard, as his performance on Q&A clearly demonstrated. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard anyone in politics speak and argue so well. Though of course, being out of politics gives you a bit more freedom tom speak your mind.

      Now to add a couple of things that Sophie leaves out for obvious reasons. Howard is of a much greater calibre that Rudd and Gillard, but also far more capable and competent than Tony Abbott, Malcolm Turnbull, Julie Bishop and even the likeable Joe Hockey, the ‘classical liberal’ who’s suddenly become all interventionist.

      Bob Hawke and Paul Keating (despite the latter having turned into a bitter and twisted old man) were also at the same level as John Howard in their time as PMs. The three of them leave any current politician for dead when it came to getting things done. Even Whitlam, who I think was an utterly disastrous PM, was certainly a conviction politician who got things done.

      Rather than being a partisan thing i think it’s a decline of politics in general to bland platitudes and shallow populism - not helped by the media cycle.

      I hate to say it, but it’s no wonder so many people are turning to the Greens, as much as I oppose their economic socialism and would never vote for them, they are about the only party of any size that still practice conviction politics. As to ‘getting things done’, well they’ve never been tested on this, and I suspect if they got the chance they’d fail utterly.

      Reply

    • Zaf says:

      11:08am | 29/10/10

      “Love or loathe John Winston Howard, you always knew what he stood for.  You knew he was motivated by core beliefs and that the bedrock of his policy decisions was his assessment of whether they were “in the national interest”.  You might not always agree with his assessment, but you knew he was fair dinkum about it.”

      Children overboard was in the ‘national interest’?  Desperately wasting millions of dollars on an investigation of Haneef, despite information from Scotland yard clearing the man, was in the ‘national interest’?  Sophie, I think the term you are looking for is ‘narrow self interest’.  Just consider the refusal to step aside in the interests of the Government and the party because he was so concerned about ‘how he would look’.  Your party needs a better class of hero, jmho.

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      01:55pm | 29/10/10

      Getting promoted in the Liberal Party must be like smoking dope - you have to suck up big to get high?  You can’t tell me Sophie really believes what she’s written about Howard.  Perhaps Soapie should concentrate on areas where she is more competent - like washing babys’ dirty nappies? That should help her think more creatively?

      Reply

    • Bruce says:

      02:15pm | 29/10/10

      Acotel: Dito Labor big time, along with the unions and now the communist greens.

    • papachango says:

      02:43pm | 29/10/10

      Nice sexism from the ‘progressive’ side of politics!

      If it was all about sucking up she’s picked the wrong man; in case you haven’t noticed John Howard is no longer in parliament!

    • Mayday says:

      04:28pm | 29/10/10

      Misogynistic twaddle of a comment!

      So Sophie respects a past leader and is I suspect a conviction politician.
      She wrote a positive piece on the subject, as is her right.
      She doesn’t deserve a spray of spite pretending to be humour.

    • Damocles says:

      04:35pm | 29/10/10

      Zaf/ acotrel…........you want the last word like all Laborites! John Howard has done more for Australia than any egomaniac Rudd or Gillard could ever do! They are interested in only one thing…....THEMSELVES!! They want to RULE! They want to CONTROL! They want POWER! They want WEALTH! They aren’t LEADERS! They aren’t PATRIOTS! They do not know, or care, how to inspire and lead by example! They are a vile pestilence on this once great land. Bring on the day when we can once again have a truly inspiring leader such as JOHN HOWARD, a MAN of COURAGE and CONVICTION…....something that Rudd and Gillard can NEVER be!!

    • Reg says:

      08:59am | 30/10/10

      What’s this Bruce, the GREENS are communist now? Please, no more, I’m far too old to falling off chairs.

      At least you think Labor is to the right of communism. Which leads me to wonder, ... what is it that is so disagreeable about the Faux Liberals that the Nationals refuse to join with them to make one party.

      Is it that the Nationals think the Faux Liberals are too far to the right or the other way around? Sophie frequently gives the clue. It must be something really upsetting if they accept the waste of doubled management costs to produce so little. 

      But you do have a point there, competition requires lots of different companies each with their wasteful management to pay for and that’s what Faux Liberalism supports, so feel free to fight amongst yourselves.

      Try not to miss Four Corners next Monday on Our ABC..

    • Sven Gali says:

      10:54am | 30/10/10

      What happened to the ban on comments in SILLY capitals ?

      http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/why-were-banning-reader-comments-in-silly-capitals/

      As for Lazarus, Peter Costello puts it best.

      “This Lazarus is not rising. This Lazarus was terminated by the voters of Bennelong in 2007. In years to come, it will be a Trivial Pursuit question to name the two prime ministers who lost their own seats. The other won his seat back.”

    • jason says:

      02:25pm | 29/10/10

      The sunshine comment was from oakeshott so i hardly think that was poll driven

      Reply

    • Sadiq Farris says:

      08:17pm | 29/10/10

      Sophie Mirrabella s,please take note!
      John Howard advises all Victoria Voters to vote Labor at the next Victoria State Election as Labor is the victorian era alternative closest to the values of the Howard Government.

      Reply

    • Sadiq Farris says:

      08:19pm | 29/10/10

      Peter Gray will fill the shoes of Lazarus!

      Reply

    • Sadiq Farris says:

      08:20pm | 29/10/10

      Does Sophie mirrabella make mirabella light globes?
      If so, turn off the lights!

      Reply

    • lulu says:

      10:17pm | 29/10/10

      Zombie Labor zombie Liberals. Sophie’s gotta be the greatest example of mouthing party line, she just does with more nastiness than most.

      Reply

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