Bill Bryson, writing in his book 'Down Under', suggested that John Howard was the most boring politician he'd ever seen (or heard), and after spending a while catching some of his public appearances I have to admit I can see why.
He's sort of an Australian John Major, only duller and without the affairs. I reckon the only way he can possibly have won the election is by boring the opposition parties into submission (or maybe it was a quirk of the convoluted electoral system here).
In fact, I'm not even sure what he (or the federal government itself) does. I know he's a cricket fan as he seems to appear on every cricket TV show, but I have no idea what his policies are (apart from holding hands with George Bush) and apart from the cricket his other activities seem to be appearing at conferences in Asia looking red & wearing extraordinary pyjamas!
It seems that much of the political news in Australia is dominated by the state governments - perhaps because they continue to have members who are accused of rape, buggery and corruption - but it leaves one wondering what it is that the Federal government actually does. If anyone knows then please drop me a line! Same if anyone can explain the electoral system in a coherent sentence or two.
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