The author has been described by News Ltd as an "iconoclast", "Svengali", a pollie's "economist muse", and "pungently accurate". Fairfax says he is a "Renaissance man" and "one of Australia’s most respected analysts." Stephen Koukoulas concludes that he is "85% right", and "would make a great Opposition leader." Terry McCrann claims the author thinks "‘nuance’ is a trendy village in the south of France", but can be "scintillating" when he thinks "clearly". The ACTU reckons he’s "an enigma wrapped in a Bloomberg terminal, wrapped in some apparently well-honed abs."

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Stephen Koukoulas attacks Peter Costello

Koukie says:

There is a list as long as your arm to show why any sensible person would never consider Peter Costello as a candidate to head up the Future Fund. One important item on that list is his judgment...

I am also reminded of Paul Keating's assessment of Peter Costello when goodie two-shoes Prime Minister Rudd had a warped good samaritan experience and appointed Costello to the Future Fund's Board of Guardians:

Keating said in late 2009:

"Mr Keating accused Mr Costello of presiding over the growth of Australian debt abroad from $129 billion in 1996, to $705 billion in 2007...

‘‘Costello was a policy bum of the first order who squandered 11 years of economic opportunity.’’"

That may be a slight exaggeration, but the sentiment is spot on.

I don't agree, but read the rest here.
at 6:23 PM