Meeting the Prime Minister
Prime Minister John Howard visited Kalgoorlie-Boulder yesterday and I had the opportunity to meet him. It’s the first time I have met a Prime Minister.
I was in a function room with Bob Hawke once, but wasn’t introduced.
The proceedings yesterday at the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame were fairly informal. Security was present, but unobtrusive.
The event was a Liberal Party fundraiser, sprinkled with media, local government and business people. Tickets cost $150 a head.
I was on a table with Senator Alan Eggleston and the Prime Minister’s influential chief of staff Tony Nutt. They were genuinely interested to hear about our experiences and impressions.
The informality of the function made me wonder if it could happen anywhere else in the world, even the ticket price. I can’t imagine media or business people attending a lunch with George Bush for less than $5000 a seat in a much bigger auditorium. There were about 140 people at the hall of fame.
For a small man in his late 60s Howard has a strong aura about him now. He was more in the dork category during his early political career, but has grown in authority and confidence.
I found his speech interesting without being inspiring. The best speaker on the day was local state MP Matt Birney. It’s a shame he is no longer leader of the opposition.
And for the record, I would also be happy to attend a fundraising function addressed by Kevin Rudd.
These articles might be of interest:
Hi Michael, now that you feel the PM is no longer a dork, have you thought about working for him in Barry Haase's job?
After all, Haase appears to be next to useless when it comes to getting a decent tax zone rebate for the people of the Goldfields.
Great picture Michael. May I use it on A.O.?