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We shouldn't wait until he's dead to be nice to Clive Palmer

Madonna King

If Clive Palmer died this week, instead of burying his party, I bet the commentary would be starkly different.

We'd be discussing the environment in 2013 which allowed his party to take root, as a protest against the arrogance of two big parties who treated their voters with contempt.

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The rise and fall of Clive Palmer

The end of the Palmer United Party comes after a tumultuous few years for the billionaire-turned politician. Nine News

Sure, we'd point out his failings but send him on his way as a multimillionaire who was prepared to lose on the ledger to change the policy malaise in Canberra; a larger-than-life character who anonymously donated to the poor and challenge our out-of-touch political establishment.

Now a declaration here. Clive Palmer is alive and well, but my point is that we increasingly only give flowers to the dead. And we should give them more, to those who can still enjoy them.

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It hit me this week when satirist John Clarke was buried under an avalanche of bouquets he probably didn't get in life.

Just take Paul Keating, who comes across as a grumpy old man on a good day, and who was regularly subject to Clarke's acidic wit.

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Keating gave Clarke a 10 out of 10 for his career performance, and the declaration we might never see that talent again.

Now it's unlikely Keating would ever have heaped such praise even on those he liked in his own party - and it's unlikely he gave the same character assessment to Clarke after any of the skits targeting his prime ministership.

Nor is it likely Keating would get too much praise from those on the opposite side of his politics while living. But he'll get plenty of recognition of his political courage and reform zeal once he's dead.

So why is that? Why do we only ever see the best in people after they're gone?

Kim Beazley was the best prime minister we never had. Julia Gillard's last speech showed why she deserved to be prime minister. John Howard had the knack of really understanding voters.

Those assessments will only climb in adjectives as their obituaries are written.

Of course respect should be accorded those public figures as they pass on. But it seems such a waste when we can deliver the bouquets now.

Like the stellar job Peter Beattie is doing in selling the Commonwealth Games to the world.

Like the willingness of Annastacia Palaszczuk and Tim Nicholls to put the brick bats away and travel together in the wake of Cyclone Debbie.

And outside of politics: how about the under-sung brigades of men and women who pick up the pieces and rebuild communities after they are flooded or burnt out?

Or the under-celebrated teachers, coaches, music and drama instructors who inspire children to create great things as they grow.

Or the carers who give so much of their own lives to support the infirm and disabled who deserve but don't get enough help from the broader community.

Let's send some flowers to the living. It might brighten up their lives – and ours.