John Howard

John Howard goes to Washington for a meeting with Bill Clinton. After
dinner, Bill says to John: "Well John, I don't know what you think of
the members of your Cabinet, but mine are all bright and brilliant."

"How do you know?" asks John

"Oh well, it's simple", says Bill. "They all have to take special
tests before they can be a minister. Wait a second".  He calls
Madeleine Albright over and says to her "Tell me Madeleine, who
is the child of your father and of your mother who is not your
brother and is not your sister?"

"Ah, that's simple Mr. President", says Madeleine, "it is me!"

"Well done Madeleine", says Clinton and John Howard is very
impressed.

John Howard returns to Canberra and wonders about the intelligence
of the members of his Cabinet.  He calls in Tim Fischer and says:
"Tim, tell me, who is the child of your father and of your mother who
is not your brother and is not your sister? "

Tim thinks and thinks and doesn't know the answer. "Can I think
about it a bit further John?  May I let you know tomorrow? "

"Of course", says Howard, "you've got 24 hours."

Tim Fischer goes away, thinks as hard as he can, calls in his team
but no-one knows the answer. 20 hours later, Tim is very worried -
still no answer and only 4 hours to go. Eventually Tim Fischer says
"I'll ask Peter Costello, he's clever, he'll know the answer." He
calls Costello.

"Peter", he says, "tell me who is the child of your father
and of your mother who is not your brother and is not your sister?"

"Very simple", says Peter, "it's me!"

"Of course" says Tim and rings John Howard.

"John", says Tim, "I've got the answer: it's Peter Costello".

"No you idiot", says Howard, "it's Madeleine Albright".