Former prime minister John Howard has praised former treasurer Josh Frydenberg for his handling of the Australian economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, urging him to “forget the constraints” and adopt large-scale government spending to navigate the crisis. The remarks came during an event in Sydney on Tuesday to launch Frydenberg’s new book, *A Grateful Son*, where Howard joined as a guest speaker.
Frydenberg and Howard defended the significant fiscal measures undertaken as the nation faced what Frydenberg described as "the biggest economic shock since the Great Depression." The former treasurer recounted the stark warnings he received in early 2020 from Treasury officials forecasting unemployment could rise to 15%, with over two million Australians out of work and GDP potentially contracting by more than 20%. He added that medical advisers projected up to 150,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the absence of a vaccine, underscoring the gravity of the crisis.
Against this backdrop, Frydenberg said the government introduced programs such as JobKeeper and JobSeeker to shield millions from financial hardship. “What we wanted more than anything was for the Australian people to know their government has their back,” he said, noting that many Australians had thanked him personally for the support provided during the emergency.
Howard commended Frydenberg’s leadership, describing him as “the standout performer of the Morrison government” and emphasizing that the former treasurer did what was necessary to keep the economy afloat and maintain public confidence. He also disclosed advising Frydenberg to temporarily set aside the Coalition’s usual fiscal conservatism to do “what you think is right for the country” during the unprecedented circumstance.
Frydenberg acknowledged that his budget decisions had drawn criticism from within the political spectrum, including some Coalition figures who later challenged his calls for measures like increasing the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Opposition Treasury spokesman Tim Wilson and Minister Angus Taylor have expressed differing views on taxation policy and the lessons to be learned from the pandemic response, with Wilson suggesting the Liberal Party must show it has rectified “mistakes such as the excessive spending during COVID.”
The event attracted senior figures including former Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe and Liberal Party veterans such as George Brandis and John Olsen. In addition to reflecting on his fiscal stewardship, Frydenberg also discussed his personal background, strained relations with former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, efforts to combat antisemitism following the October 7 attacks, and contemporary political dynamics, including the rise of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
Howard commented on ongoing debates around Australia’s social fabric, rejecting the idea that the nation’s success can be solely attributed to either monocultural or multicultural policies. “It’s neither,” he said. “It’s just a great Australian success story.”
Speculation continues over whether Frydenberg will seek a return to politics, with Howard cautioning against declaring intentions prematurely, noting that decisions should depend on electoral opportunities. Meanwhile, current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese referenced Frydenberg during the launch, labeling him the “shadow opposition leader.”