COLUMNS 3

Snedden, he spent most of his time as remains, for the present at least, un- leader repairing the worst of the dassifiable. He has simply not been damage he inherited from his around for long enough to be tested. predecessor. Like Snedden, he was Even Hawke had a couple of years in denied a second chance at the glitter­ parliament before he felt ready to ing prize by a much more arrogant thrust greatness upon himself, and and ruthless colleague. And, like was only opposition leader for the Snedden, while he migh tha ve won an period of the 1983 campaign proper, election, he certainly would not have which may have been just as well for won four. On that score, the ALP can him. A leader is a great deal more justify its decision, if only in exposed than a shadow minister, even hindsight one as prominent as Hawke.

The two surviving Liberal leaders are, Hewson was seconded to the leader­ PROFILE on the surface at least, equally happy ship with not only less parliamentary with their fate. Peacock and Howard experience, but far less training in the both claim to be looking forward to knock-'em-down-drag-'em-out John Hewson being part of the John Hewson renais­ school of politics in which Hawke and sance, which they see, with some jus­ Paul Keating excel. So far, this has They say it's the toughest job in tification, as a pretty sure thing. been an advantage; Hewson is seen as politics, "they" being the ones who Howard describes the relationship fresh and honest, if a bit naive. He has have taken it on and failed. Leaden between himself and Peacock as "cor­ had an easy run, partly because the of the opposition exist, after all, for dial" which, if true, is a remarkable government has been in more or less only one reason: to work themselves tribute to die Christian principle of constant confusion since the last elec­ out of a job by becoming Prime Min­ forgiveness; for at least eight years the tion, and partly because parliament ister. relationship was one of mutual loath­ has not been sitting much. There is an ing and often well justified suspicion. irony in this, as parliament is tradi­ For the first half of our federal history, tionally the opposition's best chance their record was pretty good; most to score off the government; in recent succeeded in the task. But in the post­ years it has become more a place war years a worrying trend has where governments destroy opposi­ developed. Four-Robert Menzies, tion leaders by portraying them as the Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser and disciples of the negative; as whingers. Bob Hawke—made it. Six—Bert Evatt, In opposition, it is an easy tag to get Arthur Calwell, Billy Snedden, Bill and a hard one to shake. Hayden, Andrew Peacock and John Howard-did not. Oppositions simply cannot put After their final losses, both Evatt and together a comprehensive plan for the Calwell got out of sight rather than nation overnight and, even if they try, serve under other leaders. But the the government is sure to label it an more recent losers have taken a very irresponsible wish list. So far, different approach. For each, the in­ Hewson's whinges have been muted, evitable period of outrage when their Which brings us to Hewson's place in and his wish lists tentative, but with parties replaced them was compara­ the hierarchy of opposition leaders. up to two years before the next elec­ tively shortlived, and each was On the surface, he seems destined tion, the honeymoon cannot last the prepared to continue in parliament, directly for the winner's circle. The full distance. Sooner or later, Hewson albeit with somewhat reduced ambi­ opinion polls have him as a shoo-in. will find out whether he really has the tion. And certainly his background puts toughest job in politics. If he survives him well ahead of most; merchant it he will need nerve, luck, and the Snedden went on to become Speaker, banker, academic, restaurant owner, continued reassurance of the polls a position in which he positively Ferrari driver. None of the cultural which have given him his big early revelled; Hayden leapt into foreign deprivation which may have affected kick along. If he does not, he will, like affairs. Now, of course, he is at Snedden, Hayden and Howard, and the other losers, blame the media. If Government House which he rather enough solid achievement to over­ only we were so important. sadly regards as the apotheosis of his come the dilettante image which eventually hamstrung Peacock. career. It is also hard not to believe MUNGO McCALLUM observed several that Hayden always basically saw opposition leaders come and go from the himself as a pick and shovel man But despite all the optimism on the vantage poinl of the parliamentary press rather than foreman material. Like conservative side of politics, Hewson gallery.

ALR : JUNE 1991