Long Wait For Labor's Jobs Boat

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday September 25, 1998

I just have to respond to the most rhetorical election speech I have ever heard in my life last night. It was also the most ersatz "Elmer Gantry" delivery from a political podium that I have had the misfortune to witness in my adult life, and had the effect, in my view, of dissipating any consideration I might have had of Kim Beazley as an alternative prime minister. I think the porkies coming from Kim were thick and fast, aimed purely at the perceived gullibility of the majority of the electorate, and question his integrity.

I think John Howard is as charismatic as a wet gumboot, but I think he is more honest and isn't prepared to bend the truth to the tension (and more) that Kim Beazley's speech subjected it to last night. As your editorial observed (Herald, September 24), a 5 per cent unemployment rate in the current economic climate, "ranks in credibility somewhere between belief in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy".

We want leadership, not a cynical manipulation of the truth for crass political ends. Maybe this, too, is "fairyland thinking", but I hope not.

I believe that we must suffer some pain to get this country conditioned to withstand the severe economic turbulence ahead. Labor only sees "plain sailing" or seemingly would have us believe so, and offers us a grab bag of goodies to lull us into an unquestioned acceptance of the totally unrealistic panacea it is offering.

Neal W. A. Jenkins, September 24 Chatswood.

I would like to ask the Leader of the Opposition a "question without notice". How are you going to get unemployment down to 5 per cent in your two terms, with the Worst Treasurer in the World, when you could not do it in 13 years with "the World's Greatest Treasurer"?

This is a cruel hoax that is right up there with "No child will live in poverty" and "I will resign if I do not halve the hospital waiting lists in the first year" (Mr Carr).

Your plan for the future of Australia sounds as though it was written by Bob Ellis, although I have to admit it is the best piece of fiction he has written for years.

E. G. Fingret, September 23 Dover Heights.

What percentage of Mr Beazley's unemployment target of 5 per cent due in six years will be the unemployable and what percentage is it now?

Malcolm Bruce, September 23 Potts Point.

Isn't it better to have a target and make the attempt to achieve it, than to have no plan and just not give a damn?

Wendy Carpenter, September 24Wentworth Falls. Would Neil Armstrong have walked on the moon if John F. Kennedy had not set a target?

John Ward, September 24 Wentworth Falls.

Bob, Nifty and Gough. Where's Paul? Only noticeable by his absence. Oh, how the mighty have fallen!

Richard Andersen, September 24 Beverly Hills.

Having viewed Kim Beazley's election launch in its entirety it seems to me that we have a great orator, statesman and genuine leader of the ALP. I no longer have any doubts in my mind that the man has the "ticker" for the top job.

The question now is, does John Howard?

S. Whitfield, September 24 Darlinghurst.

Under "old" Labor, some "silly old bugger" promised that no child would live in poverty. Under "new" Labor we're told that in six years only 5 per cent of them will be unemployed.

The poor little mite will have grown up by the time the boat comes in.

William S. Lloyd, September 24 Denistone.

Bob Hawke in tears as Kim promised 5 per cent unemployment. Was he moved or just reminiscing about no child in poverty?

David Howard, September 24 St Ives.