Former Treasury Secretary Ted Evans (1993-2001), who died on Sunday, was one of Australia's great public servants. I was privileged to be able to spend several hours with Ted at his home a few years ago and asked for his assessment of Treasurers he had worked with. #auspol

Evans thought Paul Keating was the best Treasurer he had worked with because he had intellect, courage and determination: "Keating was unique because he was such a leader on policy who was prepared to take on his PM."

Evans admired John Howard's term as PM and gave him credit for pushing the envelope as Treasurer: "Howard was quite good. Howard did take on Malcolm Fraser, but not successfully. He was a good PM."

Evans joined Treasury in 1968. He didn't rate many Treasurers very highly. "Not all the Treasurers I've worked with have been good," he said. Evans added that John Dawkins and Ralph Willis, with whom he worked closely as Treasury Secretary "were pretty standard, good Treasurers."

Evans thought Peter Costello had the talents to be a greater Treasurer: "Costello was good but not as good as he could have been, frankly. He just wouldn't take on John Howard. When an issue was explained to him, he'd handle it very well but he didn't lead."

Finally, Evans compared Keating to Costello as Treasurers: "Costello was very, very bright. But he never really put his mind into the job. Paul did and, with a lot of courage, would take on anyone, including Hawkey." #auspol