Talk:John Curtin

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Why is he Australia's greatest Prime Minister? If you're going to make the claim you really should provide some reasons (what did he do that was so great?) and attribute the claim. I suspect the Liberal Party is rather fond of Menzies, and baby-boomer Laborites probably have a soft spot for Whitlam (despite his well-acknowledged flaws).--Robert Merkel 08:05, 18 Aug 2003 (UTC)

I didn't say he was the greatest - I said that he was regarded by many as the greatest (actually, I edited it to make the distinction). The various biographies I've read of him seem to agree. Further, Menzies and Whitlam are not generally referred to as the 'greatest PM' by members of the other side of politics, whereas John Curtin has been (for instance, Richard Court, former Liberal Premier of Western Australia). Even his contemporaries regarded him highly - eg. Forde and MacArthur (and these were long-held views, not just ones that cropped up after he died). The National Archives also cites him as being 'widely regarded as one of the greatest'. - Merric

The undeniable authority of the John Curtin Senior High School student diary concurs: he is, in fact, Australia's Greatest PM. (...and if only there were a way of marking up irony...) Sam 04:34, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

Agreed, although it's true that many Australians regard him as 'greatest PM', you should still reference that ;)--Nervousbreakdance 03:29, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] "Militant" youth?

Why is the phrase 'militant youth' used? Wasn't he a copy boy for the Westrailian? Not even an army cadet, so far as I know. Sam Wilson 01:36, 19 June 2006 (UTC)

He was a militant socialist. Adam 02:52, 19 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] 'Iron' Curtin?

Anyone want to shed some light on the 'Iron' nickname?

Yeah, it doesn't exist - that's why I reverted it. Slac speak up! 02:05, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

<edit conflict> I'm not aware of any such nickname. And I doubt that such a nickname was ever used in his lifetime, since it would almost certainly be a pun on Iron Curtain, which wasn't established until after Curtin's death. I suspect you've conflated Iron Curtain with "Pig Iron Bob". Snottygobble 02:08, 25 August 2006 (UTC)

Could User:Diadora tell us more? (Sam Wilson 22:39, 26 August 2006 (UTC))

Sorry guys, my brother logged on as me and added the "iron" bit. It comes from the iron curtain building from the computer game Red Alert 2. Dont worry, I've changed my password so it wont happen again. -Diadora 01:08, 30 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] End of Ministry

His ministers held office until July 6, but did he do so as well, given that he had died the previous day? Biruitorul 11:25, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

A person is legally a minister until their commission is terminated by the Governor-General, even if they are dead. Adam 11:34, 13 November 2006 (UTC)

Interesting. Is that worth a footnote? Biruitorul 04:09, 14 November 2006 (UTC)