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Showing posts from March, 1997

Howard's image in full retreat

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Edition 1SUN 30 MAR 1997, Page 123 Howard's image in full retreat By RICHARD FARMER   JOHN Howard is not blessed with any of the normal physical attributes of a charismatic politician, but during his long career in the House of Representatives he has shown a willingness to make the best of what he has. Look at a picture of a smiling Mr Howard 20 years ago and compare it with one today. You'll see a triumph of the dentist's art. Study the before and after eyebrows, and note the difference. Clearly on display is a politician prepared to allow some minor cosmetic artistry to improve on nature's handiwork. And quite sensibly, too. In this television age, the distraction of physical oddity is sufficient to overshadow the power of any words uttered. Look too unusual, and it doesn't matter how sensible a politician is. Having decided that he wanted to give becoming Prime Minister a go, it was a natural step for Mr Howard to put himself forward in the most attractive ligh

Furthering family values

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Edition 1SUN 02 MAR 1997, Page 132 Furthering family values By RICHARD FARMER   FAMILY values have taken on a new meaning since the Government of John Howard became dependant on Senator Mal Colston to achieve majority support in the Senate. How to keep the valuable dollars within the family is the example being set. First of all, employ your wife on the secretarial staff and when she suffers an unfortunate accident which requires compensation from the public purse, bestow the job upon a student son and bring his spouse in on the payroll for good measure. That makes it easier to share the drive-yourself government car around the family in a way that maximises its use because Deputy Senate President dad can always get a chauffered one if he really needs it. Above all, do not stint on the living-away-from-home allowances. There's a nice little earn on the difference between the daily allowance for a Senator and the cost of a flat across the border in the struggle town of Queanbeyan.