Howard's belated pitch for family vote

John Howard is like a husband who has treated his wife like a dog for years - when she finally decides to leaves him, he wonders why she won't respond to his pleadings and promises to reform.

John Howard has had 11 years to create a better society for us all but on the eve of his fifth Prime Ministerial election, he belatedly offers a grab-bag of $8.5 billion worth of goodies to the people of Australia.

Far too little, far too late - will be the considered view of many thinking voters on November 24.