Howard follows the line of most practised Australian politicians, which
is to make rhetorical gestures which bear no resemblance to anything like
meaning, but in a gaspingly cynical way which even acknowledges that is
what he is doing ("we all know how it works"). I remember seeing a
politician quoted in a paper a few years ago, on being asked to comment
on some controversy - he said: "I can't say anything, because I don't
know today's political reality".
I had a friend who worked for an environmental group in Canberra, and he
told me that Howard is an extremely cunning and intelligent politician
who should not be underestimated. He knows what he's doing.
Best
Alison
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