Not surprisingly John Howard thinks Mark McGowan doesn't come within a "bull's roar" of Colin Barnett as a person or leader if he was to become Western Australia's next premier.
Australia's second longest-serving prime minister got his usual rock-style reception in Perth on Friday as he took time to pose for selfies with onlookers while sitting down with the WA Premier for a cuppa at a cafe in the Murray Street Mall.
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Morning tea with Premier and former PM
Former Prime Minister John Howard has flown in to help out WA Premier Colin Barnett for the upcoming state election.
Mr Howard, who jetted into Perth to help the Liberals on their campaign trail, didn't hold back when asked what he thought about the Labor leader.
"He doesn't come within a bull's roar of Colin as somebody who has effectively managed the affairs of this state," he told a throng of reporters.
"Colin Barnett has got the runs on the board.
"I think Colin Barnett is a much better person... he's the Premier of Western Australia."
Mr Howard even defended the Barnett government's poor economic record with debt ballooning and no return to surplus in sight.
In late December, the Barnett government forecast a surplus of $521 million in 2019/20 but that figure turned into a $535m deficit when updated figures were released on Thursday.
Net debt for 2019/20, which was projected in the mid-year review to reach $39.7 billion, is now expected to hit $41.1 billion.
"You have understand Western Australia has always had an economy over a period of years that is subject to surges and modest periods because of the underpinning of the resources sector," Mr Howard said.
"Western Australia was carrying the country for a couple of years.
"The great thing about the Barnett government is it kept investing in infrastructure and at a time when interests rates have been low."
The cricket-mad former PM was told by the Premier the Perth Stadium was still on track to hold the second Test of the Ashes series in December later this year.
"The Australia Cricket Board has been very good and has pushed it back as late as possible, so hopefully we can get the stadium finished by mid-December," Mr Barnett said.
On Thursday, Mr Howard gave the WA Liberals his blessing over their controversial preference deal with One Nation, despite his 2001 demand to always put the party last on the how-to-vote cards.
"I fully understand why the WA Liberal party has taken the decision," he told reporters at a shopping centre in the seat of Southern River on Thursday, when he was again swamped by voters and children.
- with AAP
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