Our best PMs

[Jovial Monk]

So, of all our PMs who should be in the list of ten best PMs?

What does a PM need to do?
1. Win elections--or he won't be PM! so, very reluctantly, put Howard at 10 and Menzies at 9. Menzies coasted on Curtin's work and Howard on Keatings

2. Do something worthwhile
Curtin--defended Australia. Stood up against HUGE pressure of Churchill and Rooseveld together & separately to insist unescorted, unprotected convoy of diggers from ME be sent to Australia. If, as Churchill wanted, the troops, without their heavy gear, had been sent to Rangoon the Japs would have just mopped them up no probs. Instead, these troops reinforced the CMF fighting the Japs on the Kokoda trail, halted them and eventually pushed them right out of PNG. Was Oz in danger of invasion? Could have been but Curtin more concerned Japs could have held onto their conquests astride our shipping routes to rest of world. Much more than that though, Curtin set in train planning that saw immigrants flooding in after WWII ended, plus the work, like the Snowy Scheme, that employed them. Also, stuff like making the CBA accountable to government that eventually ended up with the RBA.

So Curtin #1

Who was the brain behind the next set of reforms to our economy? Paul Keating. Wasn't there long as PM and only won one election. Maybe he should have handed over to Bomber Beasley in say 1994-5? So put Paul at #3.

1. Curtin
2. ?
3. Keating
4. Whitlam--introduced TPA & slashed tariffs. won 2 elections, incl a first-ever DD
5. Billy Hughes, PM 1915-23. Made Australia an independent nation (from a quick google)
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. Menzies
10. Howard--didn't do much, divisive, lost his seat in general election

Comment?

Hawke? Apart from beating Frazer what did he do? HM elections did he win?

[mantra.]

Have we ever had a "best" PM? Wouldn't it be easier to start with the worst (that isn't hard) and work from that - worst, not much better, a little better, better etc.

[Jovial Monk]

Fine. Put in your candidates for worst with some justification.

one reason I have so many ?s is that I don't know/can't remember much about our early PMs

Hmmmm Billy Hughes, hero or villain? Was a long term survivor, set a record for most parties joined. first 5 or last five?

[TomB]

Most honourable PM ever was Harold Holt who quit while he was ahead.

Many a PM since should've taken a leaf out of his book.

[Hebe]

Where's Hawkie JM? And Whitlam for social reform.

Off to work now for both of us, hey?

[mantra.]

For all the negativity we hear about Gough - he was a great Prime Minister - probably the best Australia has seen for many decades, yet all he received was abuse and derision.

Maybe he wasn't the best at economic management - but he did help Australia become what it is today. The baby boomers who whinge about him are those who received free university education, equal pay and many were saved from serving in Vietnam under his leadership. Whitlam.....


ended conscription and withdrew Australian troops from Vietnam.

implemented equal pay for women.

launched an inquiry into education and funded government and non-government schools on a needs basis.

established a separate ministry responsible for aboriginal affairs and supported the idea of land rights.

recast our foreign policy by withdrawing support for South Africa, recognising China, granting independence to Papua-New Guinea and distancing Australia from USA foreign policy.

abolished tertiary education fees and established the Tertiary Education Assistance Scheme.

increased pensions.

established a universal system of health insurance known as Medibank.

established controls on foreign ownership of Australian resources.

passed the Family Law Act, establishing no-fault divorce.

passed a series of laws banning racial and sexual discrimination.

extended maternity leave and benefits for single mothers.

sought to democratise the electoral system by introducing one-vote-one-value.

[skippy]

So, of all our PMs who should be in the list of ten best PMs?

What does a PM need to do?
1. Win elections--or he won't be PM! so, very reluctantly, put Howard at 10 and Menzies at 9. Menzies coasted on Curtin's work and Howard on Keatings

2. Do something worthwhile
Curtin--defended Australia. Stood up against HUGE pressure of Churchill and Rooseveld together & separately to insist unescorted, unprotected convoy of diggers from ME be sent to Australia. If, as Churchill wanted, the troops, without their heavy gear, had been sent to Rangoon the Japs would have just mopped them up no probs. Instead, these troops reinforced the CMF fighting the Japs on the Kokoda trail, halted them and eventually pushed them right out of PNG. Was Oz in danger of invasion? Could have been but Curtin more concerned Japs could have held onto their conquests astride our shipping routes to rest of world. Much more than that though, Curtin set in train planning that saw immigrants flooding in after WWII ended, plus the work, like the Snowy Scheme, that employed them. Also, stuff like making the CBA accountable to government that eventually ended up with the RBA.

So Curtin #1

Who was the brain behind the next set of reforms to our economy? Paul Keating. Wasn't there long as PM and only won one election. Maybe he should have handed over to Bomber Beasley in say 1994-5? So put Paul at #3.

1. Curtin
2. ?
3. Keating
4. ?
5. Billy Hughes, PM 1915-23. Made Australia an independent nation (from a quick google)
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. Howard
10. Menzies

Comment?

Hughes was an a grade maggot, hated by many and certainly not worthy of top ten status.

I agree Curtain is first.
2-Whitlam
3-Chifley
4-Keating
5-Hawke
6-Gorton (because the Libs hate him)
7-Holt-( because he died before he stuffed up too bad)
8-Watson-(first ALP PM)
9- I cant do anymore no one else is worthy.

[Jovial Monk]

Whitlam, yeah

Dragged Oz into modern world, ran a shambolic cabinet. But only lasted three years. I will put him at 6.

We are not talking personality: anybody that makes their way to be PM is an egotistical not-too-ethical fluffy bunny!

[Jovial Monk]

Mantra, you forgot Gough's most important achievement: Gough legalised the brewing of any strength beer/wine at home. Before Gough you could only make 2% beverages!

Hey, it is important to ME!

[White Indigene]

What about Keating;

Is anybody watching him?

He could be out there selling arms to JI.

Keating the Merc; now theres one for the records.