I was particularly struck by this little gem:
"In the end, the Howard government's longevity owed as much to its deputy's forensic skill as to its leader's political savvy."
I would suggest the Howard government's longevity owed as much to the moderating influence of the Australian Democrats, as it did to the resources boom.
No Democrats, no boom, no Howard or Costello.

I've just seen two cartoons (I think it was on
newmatilda.com) about Peter Costello that made
me laugh.

1) "Little Peter" is taken by his mum to see a doctor
who declares that "little Peter" has, "Attention Deficit
Disorder." Peter's mum asks the doctor, "What's that?"
The doctor replies - "If he doesn't get attention, he'll
create disorder!"

2)Malcolm Turnbull sitting on one side of the desk asks
Peter Costello, "Well, are you ready to be the Shadow
Treasurer?" To which Peter Costello replies with a smile,
"No, I prefer being the Shadow!"

Stormbay at 3

Considering that the world bank think Australia's economy is one of the best in the world, how do you came to the conclusion that both Labor and Liberal had fail.

As for the Global Financial Crisis.... how did Costello fail? The GFC are caused by banks investing in bad loans and causing them to fail and require government intervention. It is happening all over the world except .... in AUSTRALIA.

The big 4 in Australia is recording massive profits, they are able to led to business and individuals at the moment, we have none of the problems of the US/Europe, where governments are forced to nationalise banks

The problem in Australia was Consumer was not able to spend! That was not Costello's problem

Kipp

So many people said that the Liberals were lucky because of the Mining boom. These people have no clue.

The price of BHP shares in July 2003 was $8, BHP was hardly profitable in 2003, the mining boom happened in 2004-2008, ie at the end of the Liberal government

The unemployment rate, interest rate was fixed by 2003. foriegn debt had all been repaid by 2003.

To say all these was caused by the mining boom is ridiculous.

The foreign debt of the Costello economy went
up to around the highest per capita in the world.

Same with household debt and business debt.

China Minerals boom!

Industrial-relations!

Oh what a legacy!

*The foreign debt of the Costello economy went
up to around the highest per capita in the world.
Same with household debt and business debt.*

Ah, so when the Mrs Foxys of this world, feeling
confidant about the economy, max out on their credit
cards and splurge on more expensive houses etc,
when things go pear shaped for them, they simply
blame the Govt!

Now there is some good old female logic for you :)