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Keating was the Treasurer under Hawke, and as such was the architect of important and significant changes, including the floating of the dollar, and the opening up of the economy to greater competition.
As Prime Minister Keating also provided leadership which led to significant changes for the nation.
These included:
- a move towards reconciliation with its indigenous population which included the landmark Redfern speech
- Continued the economic reforms begun under the Hawke Government.
- Helped to create the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation Forum (APEC).
- Introduced Australia's national superannuation scheme which has secured retirement savings for millions of Australians and is recognised as one of the best savings schemes in the world.
- Created Australia's first national training authority ensuring greater consistency in Australia's skills qualifications and assisting to modernise the economy.
- Recognised native title through the historic Mabo legislation.
- Pushed for a republic so that an Australian could become the head of state and Australia could continue down the path of an independent nation.
- Improved Sex Discrimination provisions and boosted legislative protections for Australia's unique endangered species.
His successor Howard was a notoriously bad debater, and his oration was filled with either dog-whistle politics, or bilious nationalism. It was difficult to take in anything more than small and infrequent portions.
And while Rudd is a good speaker, he lacks the hard edge of Keating, a style briefly revisited by Gilliard in her much watched and much commented on Misogyny speech. The fact that the Tories hated it so much was clear evidence that it really hit the mark.
I hope that the future political landscape will contain another leader with the qualities, the vision and the courage of Keating, and the ability to take a nation with him or her.
What are your thoughts?