We're all living with the consequences of Howard basically p!ssing up against the wall the colossal revenue from the mining boom.
What a ridiculous statement! Study this chart:
Under Hawke/Keating our net debt multiplied FIVE FOLD!
Give credit where credit is due! Howard & Costello not only paid off the debt, but they created a nearly $50 billion surplus ... for the incompetent KRudd govt. to squander IN ADDITION TO ramping up the debt again at an eye-watering rate with their hair-brained schemes.