Paul Keating - an inspiration!! Well, I guess to (very) few, but for all those people who lost their homes and had to pay sky high mortgage rates, I highly doubt they would want that vile person coming back to power in a million years.

I was only young when I saw news reports where farmers were being forced off their land because of Keating's terrible economics.

In my opinion the author's article only serves to represent the level of desperation reflected in the ALP at a Federal level. They are desperate for anyone to lead them out of the political wilderness and will even resort to grand delusions about Paul Keating as leader to do it!

Paul Keating brought all that he had to Australian Politics

That all that he had was mediocre, third rate, envy based, sarcastic, puerile and steeped in the stagnating "leveller" politics of the socialist psuedo-thinkers was not his fault - it was all he was and could ever aspire to - unfortunately he dragged alot of people along on his crusade of disunity, divisiveness and derision -

I will conclude with 2 quotes -

one from Keating

"These are the same old fogies who doffed their lids and tugged the forelock to the British establishment" [of Aussie Tory supporters of Britain]

and one from dear Margaret Thatcher - who was a real statewoman (against whom both Keating and Hawke are just buffoons pailing into insignificance)

"Let our children grow tall, and some taller than others if they have it in them to do so."

The former quote conveys the churlish arrogance and envy most commonly associated with Keating and regularly reflected in his performances during parliamentary question time.

The second quote conveys much of what Keating lacked - a sense of real morality and value.

In essence - Paul Keating - someone with a lip so quick - no one noticed the lack of heart (until it was too late).

Yes, but PK was a human being.

Di, there is a lot to be said for the 1950's trust and work ethic.Your word was the bond of any contract with no legalise or threats of sueing.Those of the post war generations ,my parents and perhaps yours,were the most disciplined,self sacrificing generation we will have the priviledge to know.
Paul Keating was too self indulgent.His ego was bigger than than Ben Hur and he still believes he matters.To promote 19% super contributions by employers,shows that in the realm of small business,he has no idea.
I served Malcolm Fraser a Scotch in the early 1980's and felt diminished by his servile admonishments.He liked it neat with no ice.Met John Howard in 1992 at our local primary school in thongs ,shorts and T shirt and he showed real interest my family and my ambitions.There was no grand standing,it was just before the closing of voting and he had two minders ,it was surreal,they were alone seemingly with no friends in a safe Liberal seat.Yes it was the demise of John Hewson and I shook John Howard's hand and said "I may be shaking the hand of the next Prime Minister."John Howard was very humble and said"No way." It was a very emphatic nay.He was a very humble person yet articulate and engaging.There was no hint of Keating or Fraser arrogance.
Perhaps John Howard has changed a bit in terms of humility but he has given us more sustained economic growth than any period since the 1970's.How much prosperity did Paul Keating give us?
If you don't give the middle class a reason to get out of bed ,then anarchy and poverty will pervail

Di, I'm with you! Paul Keating was a man for the times and for all the blame his government got at the time, financial disasters were a world event at the time. Usually governed by America's fallout!

And was it Arjah that mentions John Howard and humility is the same sentence. What an absolute joke, the man's pride and arrogance is palpable but what is even more alarming (be very alarmed!) is that the Australian public allowed a man without honesty or integrity to head of Government, yet again. When was the last resignation received from a politician due to the fact they were not doing their job properly?. From finance to immigration, Mr Howard as CEO of the Country has done a great disservice to Australians, both at home and on the international front? Mr Howard is very selective is his choices of the Masters he serves. Mr Bush is more important than Mr Hicks. Perhaps Mr Hicks should have been born more beautiful!

Its quite obvious to me that those men who praise Howard type with one hand.