How Paul Keating would rescue the economy right now
His combative edge has been softened, but the former PM who drove the great economic reforms of a generation ago has lost none of his passion. From our Platinum 70 Magazine out on Friday, August 20.
“I could have been with my father’s business, the junior Chamber of Commerce and the Jaycees Club. I didn’t have to happen. But I did happen.” It’s Paul Keating speaking and the “happen” part relates to his role in the ’80s-‘90s transformation of the Australian economy from sclerotic to supple.
“I said over and over in the House of Representatives, as prime minister, as treasurer, and in interviews with the media, that I had given the country a new economic engine. The job I had was to repoint the raft at opportunity – to find our security in Asia, and not from Asia.”
Andrew ClarkSenior writerAndrew Clark is a former editor of The Sun-Herald and Australian Business. He was a correspondent in Europe and North America, a political correspondent in Canberra and has been a journalist for more than 55 years. Email Andrew at aclark@afr.com.au
