Jeff Kennett: Trump could be the best or worst president ever
Donald Trump might easily turn out to be the best president the United States has ever had – or the worst. He has the opportunity to determine his legacy.
Opinion
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Having watched the inauguration of Donald Trump and having watched from Australia his career from property developer, to television host, to President of the United States, then four years campaigning to regain office and finally succeed – regardless of what you might say about his private life – to be sworn in as the 47th President is a remarkable achievement.
I have the feeling that he might easily turn out to be the best president the United States has ever had, or the worst. He has the opportunity to determine his legacy.
Suffice to say he has already used the time from his election in November last year to his inauguration, as has no other president. He has threatened, cajoled, while selecting his Cabinet, many of whom have no experience in the portfolios he has allocated to them, while having dozens of world leaders and businessmen and women rushing to his presence.
The one thing that is certain about President Trump is that he is unpredictable, and it is that aspect of his makeup that might prove to the world’s advantage when having to deal with some of the authoritarian international leaders.
We can only live in hope that President Trump and we, will in four years’ time be able to say that his second term in office was of benefit to the United States and the world.
While watching the Inauguration I tweeted, (X), similar words to what I have written above.
A person using the name Greg Bell responded with the words “pity you didn’t have similar unselfish thoughts for Victoria”.
His comments made me think, I do, and I responded!
“I do. I want Victoria to be relevant again.
“Not being the tragic laughing stock of the country.
“Not with a debt so large as to be almost unmanageable.
“And will be a yoke around the necks of our children and grandchildren.
“The last decade has sadly been a wasteland for Victoria”.
Most readers will know I am an optimist. What has happened to Victoria and continues to happen because of unchanged policies should never have been allowed to occur.
I am sure like most readers of this column, and if you left your politics at the door, we want the same things.
To live our lives as we see fit, with minimum government interference.
An economy that allows us to plan ahead because of consistency of policies delivered by governments.
Where we are safe, to go about our community.
Where through our endeavours we create opportunity for ourselves but importantly for those we bring into the world.
Of course, I do not agree with all Trump announced within his agenda at his inauguration, but there was a theme that favoured free speech, for businesses to make profits, and for individuals to be in charge of their lives. He also spoke about making the streets of the US safe again.
Are those not objectives that most of us would support?
It will be interesting to see how our major political parties respond to the arrival, again, of President Trump.
One thing will be certain. At a time of economic challenge, offering to spend more money will not convert into buying more votes.
The public is not stupid. Governments spending more has kept our inflation rate abnormally high and that is reflected in our interest rates.
High interest rates retard growth in our business, make it very hard for many with mortgages, and almost impossible for our young wanting to buy their first property or even rent accommodation.
Australia needs a more responsible change of direction. Subsidies do not guarantee positive outcomes. Increasing spending by governments only adds to our woes.
I liked it when Graham Turner, the founder and CEO of Flight Centre, came out this week calling out the cost of governments continuing to spend money, rather than address the efficiencies of what they deliver.
Trump’s election gives us hope that governments might change direction away from the surrendering to “wokishness” that has overtaken good management, and many decisions made by governments.
If Australia is going to grow, if we its citizens are going to have options, we need the private sector to grow, in fact flourish.
When 7480 businesses closed in Australia during the six months to December, that should tell all of us, we need to change direction quickly.
To those who communicated with me on X, and who were critical of me, or my wish that President Trump succeeds, forget your politics, lift your eyesight and give hope a chance.
We in Victoria need that hope and change of priorities quickly.
In the meantime, we have every reason to celebrate Australia Day, and we should do so even at the Australian Open.
Have a good day.
Jeff Kennett is a former Premier of Victoria
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Originally published as Jeff Kennett: Trump could be the best or worst president ever
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