How did Keating put it? Costello spent 10 years in the hammock
love it.
Costello did have a pretty cruisy ride.Money flowing from the gst fountain and mining taxes and royalties to burn. He did make super much less complex to his credit, far too generous for the big end of town but what the heck all things must pass. I could have looked like an economic genius under those conditions.
Staying a back-bencher now is to his benefit.His halo still intact.
Fact is I don't think either side really saw what was coming.
For mr howard to claim "work choices" was responsible for the low unemployment is a gross exaggeration.
I do think the libs will look back on his era as a huge missed opportunity to govern for 2 decades minimum. Handover of power and subtle policy changes for a new generation cost them dearly imho.
by the way, "fasces" was a bundle of sticks or rods, largely ceremonial, carried by the lictors before the consuls of the roman senate symbolising their position and power.