Did Howard really make much of the principle of "mutual responsibility", and for whom?

I would argue that he engineered a massive expansion in non means-tested middle class welfare, and for the already comfortably well off too.

He was also a fully paid up subscriber to the situation described in the book by Sharon Beder "Selling the Work Ethic:From Puritan Pulpit to Corporate PR".

Howards life altogether is the epitome of the fastidious joyless Puritan. Ebeneezer Scrooge before his emotional conversion.

As far as I know Howard had no time at all for Art in any form, as expressed in the very best of the Western artistic tradition. Did he ever visit and art gallery or go to classical music concert?

Labor and the Coalition have essentially the same economic policies, and Labor is somewhat more socially liberal than the Coalition.

Labor is extremely liberal,

Just with the taxpayer's money.

Did Howard really make much of the principle of "mutual responsibility", and for whom? You are correct about questioning Mr. Howard’s actions in this regard. The principle only applied to the poor, disabled, unemployed and those on single parents benefit. The benefits were harder to obtain and this led to unnecessary expenses in administration of the benefits. There was no great decrease in the number being granted benefits. The benefits that were extended to the middle and upper wage earners were treated differently. The Howard government believe that these people earned and deserved the government generosity; therefore, no mutual responsibility was needed.

Good one, Chris. I nearly fell off my chair laughing.