“I would say to the borrowers of Australia who are affected by this change that I am sorry about that and I regret the additional burden that will be put upon them as a result.” (source SMH)

Yes, Howard has said sorry to the mortgage belt. He even did a back flip the other week and proposed recognising indigenous people in the preamble to our constitution.

But he still refuses to say sorry to the stolen generation. His reason for refusing to say sorry was (and still is) that it may expose the government to costs or litigation from those who were stolen. So does his saying sorry today mean that he accepts responsibility for the interest rate rise and acknowledges that the government could be liable for compensation for those who are effected by it?

Or is he just doing a Bob Hawke “me too” by crying in front of Australia?

Update 8 November: Howard has denied that he apologised. “I said I was sorry they occurred. I don’t think I used the word apology.” (Source SMH).

He also took pains to point out that taxpayers had received money from tax cuts back in July.

We get a share of the nations prosperity from tax cuts, but because of that very prosperity we have to give it to the banks. This dodgy accounting comes from someone we are asked to trust to run our economy!

Hello and welcome to the newest blog on the block. I have been running Pinkboard for many years, which has provided an outlet for many people and many opinions. These are my opinions.

I have chosen the word Mandate to be part of the title of this blog for a few reasons:

Being gay I date men. This hasn’t happened in a long time though as my partner would get a bit upset if he wasn’t included.

Mandate is also one of those words that our beloved Prime Minister has been abusing. Mr Howard did receive a political mandate at the 2004 election (with 47% of the primary vote). By political mandate we usually mean the right to govern. Howard seems to have interpreted it, however, as the right to make decisions for all Australians. I would have called this carte blanche.

The subtitle of this blog is If you’ve done nothing wrong you’ve got nothing to fear from the Pet Shop Boys song Integral. The song continues

If you’ve something to hide you shouldn’t even be here
You’ve had your chance now we’ve got the mandate
If you’ve changed your mind I’m afraid it’s too late
We’re concerned you’re a threat
You’re not integral to the project

This song is a comment on the introduction of the ID card in UK, but is equally relevant anywhere that civil rights are being devalued in the name of security.

Mandate is also an Australian Male Review, but they are no relation.