See also: Howard Government

The Honourable  John Winston Howard  AC, LLB
25th Prime Minister of Australia Elections: 1987, 1996—2007
In office 11 March 1996 – 3 December 2007
Deputy	Tim Fischer (1996-99) John Anderson (1999-2005) Mark Vaile (2005-07)
Preceded by	Paul Keating
Succeeded by	Kevin Rudd
29th Treasurer of Australia
In office 19 November 1977 – 11 March 1983
Preceded by	Phillip Lynch
Succeeded by	Paul Keating
Member of the Australian Parliament for Bennelong
In office 18 May 1974 – 24 November 2007
Preceded by	John Cramer
Succeeded by	Maxine McKew
Born	26 July 1939 (1939-07-26) (age 68) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political party	LPA
Spouse	Janette Howard
Alma mater	University of Sydney
Profession	Solicitor

John Winston Howard AC (born 26 July 1939) was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia for the 11 years that John Howard was Prime Minister. The prefix The Honourable or The Honorable (abbreviated to " The Hon Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition The Bachelor of Laws (abbreviated LLB, LLB or rarely LlB) is an undergraduate or bachelor degree in law offered in most Common law The Prime Minister of Australia is the Head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia, holding office on commission from the Governor-General. Federal elections were held in Australia on 11 July 1987 following the granting of a double dissolution on 5 June by the Governor-General Sir House of Reps preference flows The Democrats contested 138 electorates with preferences slightly favouring Labor (54 Federal elections for the Parliament of Australia were held on Saturday 24 November 2007 after a 6-week campaign in which 13 Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Events 1800 - War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Hohenlinden, French Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Timothy Andrew Fischer AC FTSE (born 3 May 1946) is a former Australian politician John Duncan Anderson (born 14 November 1956) is an Australian politician. Mark Anthony James Vaile (born 18 April 1956) Australian politician is a former Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and former leader of the Paul John Keating (born 18 January 1944 was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, from 1991 to 1996 Kevin Michael Rudd (born 21 September 1957 is the 26th and current Prime Minister of Australia and federal leader of the Centre-left Australian Labor The Treasurer of Australia is the minister in the Government of Australia and head of the Department of the Treasury, responsible for government expenditure Events 1095 - The Council of Clermont, called by Pope Urban II to discuss sending the First Crusade to the Holy Land Also 1977 (album by Ash. Year 1977 ( MCMLXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Sir Phillip Reginald Lynch KCMG ( 27 July, 1933 - June 19, 1984) was an Australian Liberal politician Paul John Keating (born 18 January 1944 was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, from 1991 to 1996 The Parliament of Australia or Commonwealth Parliament is the legislative branch of government of Australia. The Division of Bennelong is an Australian electorate in New South Wales. Events 1152 - Henry II of England marries Eleanor of Aquitaine. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Events 380 - Theodosius I makes his adventus, or formal Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Sir John Oscar Cramer ( 18 February 1896 – 18 May 1994) was an Australian politician representing the Liberal Party of Australia Maxine Margaret McKew MP (born 22 July 1953 is an Australian politician and the Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care in the First Rudd Ministry Events 657 - Battle of Siffin. 811 - Battle of Pliska; Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. Alison Janette Howard (born 11 July 1944) is the wife of John Howard, who was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia. Alma mater is Latin for "nourishing mother" It was used in Ancient Rome as a title for the mother Goddess, and in Medieval The University of Sydney (informally Sydney Uni or USyd) is the oldest university in Australia A "solicitor" is a term used in many Common law jurisdictions for a lawyer who offers legal services outside of the courts Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition Events 657 - Battle of Siffin. 811 - Battle of Pliska; Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Prime Minister of Australia is the Head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia, holding office on commission from the Governor-General. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Events 1800 - War of the Second Coalition: Battle of Hohenlinden, French Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. He is the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies. Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, KT, AK, CH, QC (20 December 1894 - 15 May 1978 Australian politician was the twelfth person to serve

Howard was a member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1974 to 2007, representing the Division of Bennelong, New South Wales. The House of Representatives is one of the two houses (chambers of the Parliament of Australia; it is the Lower house, the Upper house being the Senate Federal elections were held in Australia on 18 May 1974. All 127 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 60 seats in the Senate Federal elections for the Parliament of Australia were held on Saturday 24 November 2007 after a 6-week campaign in which 13 The Division of Bennelong is an Australian electorate in New South Wales. He served as Treasurer in the government of Malcolm Fraser from 1977–1983. The Treasurer of Australia is the minister in the Government of Australia and head of the Department of the Treasury, responsible for government expenditure John Malcolm Fraser, AC, CH (born 21 May 1930 is an Australian Liberal politician who was the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. He was Leader of the Liberal Party and Coalition Opposition from 1985–1989, which included the 1987 federal election against Bob Hawke. The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a pragmatic grouping of Centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922 Federal elections were held in Australia on 11 July 1987 following the granting of a double dissolution on 5 June by the Governor-General Sir Robert James Lee (Bob Hawke, AC (born 9 December 1929 was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia and longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister He was re-elected as Leader of the Opposition in 1995.

Howard led the Liberal-National Coalition to victory at the 1996 federal election, defeating Paul Keating's Labor government and ending a record 13 years of Coalition opposition. The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party. The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a pragmatic grouping of Centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922 House of Reps preference flows The Democrats contested 138 electorates with preferences slightly favouring Labor (54 Paul John Keating (born 18 January 1944 was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, from 1991 to 1996 The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a pragmatic grouping of Centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922 Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, commonly known as The Opposition, in Australia fulfils the same function as the Official opposition Howard was sworn in as Prime Minister on 11 March 1996. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Howard's government was re-elected at the 1998, 2001 and 2004 elections. Results House of Representatives preference flows The Nationals had candidates in 13 seats where Three-cornered-contests existed Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 November, 2001. Federal elections were held in Australia on 9 October, 2004. All 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 40 seats in the 76-member Howard oversaw taxation reform by introducing a Goods and Services Tax, implemented significant gun control, increased immigration and brought in wide ranging industrial relations reforms throughout his 11 years as Prime Minister.

Howard was defeated at the 2007 election by Labor's Maxine McKew, making him the second Australian Prime Minister, after Stanley Bruce in 1929, to lose his own seat. Federal elections for the Parliament of Australia were held on Saturday 24 November 2007 after a 6-week campaign in which 13 Maxine Margaret McKew MP (born 22 July 1953 is an Australian politician and the Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care in the First Rudd Ministry Stanley Melbourne Bruce 1st Viscount Bruce of Melbourne, CH, MC, FRS, PC (15 April 1883&ndash25 August 1967 was an Australian politician and The Coalition also lost government at the same election to the Australian Labor Party led by Kevin Rudd. Kevin Michael Rudd (born 21 September 1957 is the 26th and current Prime Minister of Australia and federal leader of the Centre-left Australian Labor

Contents 1 Early life 2 Entry into politics 3 Member of Parliament 4 Federal Treasurer (1977–1983) 5 Opposition years (1983-1996) 6 Prime Minister 6.1 First term: 1996–1998 6.2 Second term: 1998–2001 6.3 Third term: 2001–2004 6.4 Fourth term: 2004–2007 7 The 2007 election campaign 8 Leadership and retirement doubts 9 Relationship with George Bush 10 Relationship with Indigenous Australia 10.1 Northern Territory intervention 11 After politics 12 Honours 13 See also 14 Notes 15 Further reading 16 External links

Early life

John Howard is the fourth son of Lyall Howard and Mona (née Kell). Lyall Falconer Howard (1896-1955 was a World War I Veteran, Engineer and business owner and the father of former Australian Prime Minister His parents were married in 1925. His eldest brother Stanley was born in 1926, followed by Walter in 1929, and Robert (Bob) in 1936.

Howard grew up in the Sydney suburb of Earlwood. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 Earlwood is a Suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. His mother had been an office worker until her marriage. His father and his paternal grandfather, Walter Howard, were both veterans of the First AIF in World War I. The First Australian Imperial Force (1st AIF was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during World War I. They also ran two Dulwich Hill petrol stations where John Howard worked as a boy. Dulwich Hill is a residential Suburb in the Inner West of ^[1] Lyall Howard died in 1955 when John was sixteen, leaving his mother to take care of John^[2] (or "Jack" as he was also known). ^[3]

Howard suffered a hearing impairment in his youth, leaving him with a slight speech impediment. Speech disorders or speech impediments, as they are also called are a type of Communication disorders where 'normal' speech is disrupted ^[4] It also influenced him in subtle ways, limiting his early academic performance; encouraging a reliance on an excellent memory; and in his mind ruling out becoming a barrister as a likely career. A barrister is a Lawyer found in many Common law Jurisdictions that employ a split profession (as opposed to a Fused profession) in relation ^[5]

Howard attended the publicly funded state schools Earlwood Primary School and Canterbury Boys' High School. State school is an expression used in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to distinguish schools provided by the government from privately Canterbury Boys' High School ( CBHS) is a public, secondary, Day school for boys located in Canterbury, a south-western ^[6] Howard won a citizenship prize in his final year at Earlwood (presented by local politician Eric Willis), and subsequently represented his secondary school at debating as well as cricket and rugby. Sir Eric Archibald Willis KBE CMG ( January 15 1922 - May 10 1999) was Premier of New South Wales, Australia Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries Rugby football (usually just " rugby " may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of Football developed at Rugby School ^[7] In his final year at school he took part in a radio show hosted by Jack Davey, Give It a Go broadcast on the commercial radio station, 2GB, and a recording of the show survives. John Andrew Davey ( 8 February 1907 - 14 October 1959) was a New Zealand -born star of Australian radio in the 1930s '40s 2GB is a commercial Radio station in Sydney, Australia broadcasting on 873 KHz, AM. ^[8] After gaining his Leaving Certificate, he studied law at the University of Sydney, graduating in 1961,^[6] and subsequently practising as a solicitor for twelve years. The University of Sydney (informally Sydney Uni or USyd) is the oldest university in Australia Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[9]

Howard married fellow Liberal Party member Janette Parker in 1971, with whom he had three children: Melanie (1974), Tim (1977) and Richard (1980). Alison Janette Howard (born 11 July 1944) is the wife of John Howard, who was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ^[10]

Entry into politics

Howard joined the Liberal Party in 1957. The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) He held office in the New South Wales Liberal Party on the State Executive and served as President of the Young Liberals (1962–64), the party youth organisation. The Young Liberal Movement, or the Young Liberals, is the youth-division of the Liberal Party of Australia, and membership is open to those between 16 and 30 ^[11] Howard supported Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, although has since said there were "aspects of it that could have been handled and explained differently". The Vietnam War was a conflict in which the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV or North Vietnam and its allies fought against the Republic of Vietnam The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia ^[12]

At the 1963 federal election, Howard acted as campaign manager in his local seat of Parkes for the successful candidacy of Tom Hughes who defeated the 20 year Labor incumbent. Background The election was held following the early dissolution of the House of Representatives Thomas Eyre Forrest Hughes AO QC (born 26 November 1923) is an Australian politician and lawyer

In 1967 with the support of party power brokers, John Carrick and Eric Willis, he was endorsed as candidate for the marginal suburban state seat of Drummoyne, held by the ALP. The Hon Sir John Leslie Carrick AC KCMG (b 4 September 1918) is a former Australian politician Sir Eric Archibald Willis KBE CMG ( January 15 1922 - May 10 1999) was Premier of New South Wales, Australia Drummoyne is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. Howard's mother sold the family home in Earlwood and rented a house with him at Five Dock, a suburb within the electorate. Earlwood is a Suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Five Dock is a Suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. At the election in February 1968, in which the incumbent state Liberal government was returned to office, Howard failed to defeat the sitting member, despite campaigning vigorously. ^[13] Howard and his mother subsequently returned to Earlwood, moving to a house on the same street where he grew up.

Member of Parliament

At the 1974 federal election, Howard successfully contested the Sydney suburban seat of Bennelong and became a Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives. Federal elections were held in Australia on 18 May 1974. All 127 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 60 seats in the Senate The Division of Bennelong is an Australian electorate in New South Wales. The House of Representatives is one of the two houses (chambers of the Parliament of Australia; it is the Lower house, the Upper house being the Senate When Malcolm Fraser's government came to power in December 1975, Howard was appointed Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs, a position in which he served until 1977. John Malcolm Fraser, AC, CH (born 21 May 1930 is an Australian Liberal politician who was the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. The Australian Minister for Home Affairs has been the Hon Bob Debus MP since 3 December 2007. ^[9]

Federal Treasurer (1977–1983)

In December 1977, at the age of 38, Howard was appointed Treasurer, for which he became known as "the boy Treasurer". The Treasurer of Australia is the minister in the Government of Australia and head of the Department of the Treasury, responsible for government expenditure ^[9] In this role, he was a strong adherent of monetarism, and he favoured cuts to personal income tax and business tax, lower government spending, the dismantling of the centralised wage-fixing system, the abolition of compulsory trade unionism, and the privatisation of government-owned enterprises. Monetarism is a school of economic thought concerning the determination of national income and monetary Economics. Government spending or government expenditure is classified by economists into three main types A trade union or labour union is an organization of workers who have banded together to achieve common goals in key areas such as wages hours and working conditions forming Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of business from the Public sector (government to the Private sector (business A government-owned corporation, state-owned enterprise or government business enterprise is a legal entity created by a Government to undertake commercial

In 1979, Treasurer Howard established a committee of inquiry, the Campbell Committee, to investigate financial system reforms. The process of reform began before the Committee reported 2 1/2 years later, with the introduction of the tender system for the sale of Treasury notes in 1979, and Treasury bonds in 1982. Ian Macfarlane (Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia 1996-2006) described these reforms as "second only in importance to the float of the Australian dollar in 1983. " ^[14]

In April 1982, Howard was elected Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party.

During Howard's tenure as Treasurer, the 90-day cash rate peaked at 21% on 8 April 1982, while home loan mortage rates were capped at 13. Events 217 - Roman Emperor Caracalla is Assassinated (and succeeded by his Praetorian Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) 5%, and inflation peaked at 12. 5% in September 1982. ^[15] Peter Costello commented, in 2007, that "The Howard treasurership was not a success in terms of interest rates and inflation. Peter Howard Costello (born 14 August 1957 is an Australian politician . . he had not been a great reformer. "^[16]

Opposition years (1983-1996)

Following the 1983 defeat of the Fraser government and Fraser's subsequent resignation from parliament, Howard contested the Liberal leadership but was defeated by Andrew Peacock. Background The coalition government led by Malcolm Fraser had to contend with a parlous economic situation with high inflation and high unemployment John Malcolm Fraser, AC, CH (born 21 May 1930 is an Australian Liberal politician who was the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. Andrew Sharp Peacock AC (born 13 February 1939 is a former Australian Liberal politician Remaining Deputy Leader of the parliamentary party, Howard became Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, commonly known as The Opposition, in Australia fulfils the same function as the Official opposition After electoral defeat by Hawke and Labor at the 1984 election, Peacock sought, in September 1985, to replace Howard with John Moore as Deputy Leader. Robert James Lee (Bob Hawke, AC (born 9 December 1929 was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia and longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister The party room re-elected Howard to the position. Peacock resigned and Howard became Opposition Leader unopposed on 3 September. Events 36 BC - In the Battle of Naulochus, Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Admiral of Octavian, defeats Sextus Pompeius ^[17]

Howard came to be known as an economic liberal – in his own words, an "economic radical" – yet an avowed social conservative. Social conservatism is a political or moral ideology that affirms the government's role in encouraging or enforcing traditional values or behaviors in the belief that these are what ^[18] He opposed "political correctness" and the promotion of multiculturalism at the expense of a shared national identity. Political correctness (adjectivally politically correct; both forms commonly abbreviated to PC) is a term applied to Language, ideas policies or behavior The term multiculturalism generally refers to a state of racial, cultural and ethnic diversity within the Demographics of a specified A nation is a Human Cultural and Social Community. In as much as most members never meet each other yet feel a common bond it may be considered In July 1986, Howard famously said that "The times will suit me". ^[19] However, his chances of unseating Hawke at the 1987 election were ruined when the arch-conservative Premier of Queensland Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen launched a populist "Joh for Canberra" campaign that divided the federal conservative political movement and saw Hawke comfortably re-elected. Federal elections were held in Australia on 11 July 1987 following the granting of a double dissolution on 5 June by the Governor-General Sir Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern corner of the mainland continent Sir Johannes "Joh" Bjelke-Petersen KCMG (13 January 1911 &ndash 23 April 2005] New Zealand -born Australian Politician, was the longest-serving The Joh for Canberra or Joh for PM campaign was the 1987 attempt by the Queensland branch of the National Party of Australia to install Queensland

On 22 August 1988, from Opposition, Howard named and launched a new immigration and ethnic affairs policy, titled One Australia. Events 392 - Arbogast has Eugenius elected Western Roman Emperor. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) One Australia was the immigration and ethnic affairs policy of the Liberal - National opposition in Australia released in 1988 The policy detailed a vision of "one nation and one future", including opposition to multiculturalism and rejection of Aboriginal land rights. ^[20] Howard's comments that same month about Asian immigration led to controversy and divisions within the Liberal Party:

"I do believe that if it is – in the eyes of some in the community – that it's too great, it would be in our immediate-term interest and supporting of social cohesion if it were slowed down a little, so the capacity of the community to absorb it was greater". The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. ^[21]

Other members of Howard's coalition, including Shadow Finance Minister John Stone and Deputy Opposition Leader Ian Sinclair also spoke out about Asian immigration, suggesting it must be reduced. The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a pragmatic grouping of Centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922 John Owen Stone (born January 31, 1929) is a former Australian politician Ian McCahon Sinclair, AC, PC (born 10 June 1929) is a former Australian politician and leader of the National Party of Australia ^[18][22]

On 25 August 1988, Prime Minister Bob Hawke responded by introducing a parliamentary motion stating that no Australian government would use race or ethnic origin as a criterion for immigration. Events 1248 - The Dutch city of Ommen receives city rights and fortification rights from Otto III the Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar) Robert James Lee (Bob Hawke, AC (born 9 December 1929 was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia and longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister A motion is a formal step to introduce a matter for consideration by a group The term race or racial group usually refers to the concept of categorizing Humans into Populations or groups on the basis of various sets Four members of the Liberal Party crossed the floor of parliament to vote with Labor: Hon Dr Peter Baume (Senator), Steele Hall, Ian Macphee and Philip Ruddock. In Politics, crossing the floor is to vote against party lines especially where this is considered unusual or controversial Raymond Steele Hall (born 28 November 1928) was from 1968 to 1970 the 36th Premier of South Australia, senator for South Australia from 1974 Ian Malcolm Macphee AO (born July 13, 1938) is an Australian Politician who was a member of the Australian House of Representatives Philip Maxwell Ruddock (born March 12, 1943) is an Australian politician who served in various ministries in the Coalition Government of former Australian Two others, Ian Wilson and Michael MacKellar abstained from the vote. Ian Bonython Cameron Wilson (born 2 May 1932) Australian politician was born in Adelaide, South Australia, the son of Sir Keith Michael John Randal MacKellar (born 27 October 1938) is an Australian Politician and was the Liberal Member for Warringah ^[23]

In September 1988, Howard elaborated his opposition to multiculturalism by saying "To me, multiculturalism suggests that we can't make up our minds who we are or what we believe in. "^[20] He rejected the idea of an Aboriginal treaty as "repugnant to the ideals of One Australia"^[20] and commented "I don't think it is wrong, racist, immoral or anything, for a country to say 'we will decide what the cultural identity and the cultural destiny of this country will be and nobody else. "^[24]

Dissent within the Liberal Party over Asian immigration was believed by some political commentators to have weakened Howard's leadership. Immigration to Australian continent is estimated to have begun around 50000 years ago when the ancestors of Australian Aborigines arrived on the continent via the islands of ^[23] In February 1989, John Elliott approached Andrew Peacock and encouraged Peacock to launch a leadership challenge against Howard. John Dormer Elliott (born 3 October 1941) is a prominent Australian Businessman, former president of the Liberal Party, and former ^[23] In May 1989, Peacock launched a surprise leadership coup, ousting Howard as Liberal leader. The loss of the Liberal Party leadership to Peacock deeply affected Howard, who admitted he would occasionally drink too much. ^[25] After time on the backbench, Howard returned to the Coalition front bench. For other meanings see Backbench A backbencher is a Member of Parliament (MP or a legislator who does not hold governmental The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a pragmatic grouping of Centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922 In many Parliaments and other similar assemblies seating is typically arranged in banks or rows with each Political party or Caucus grouped together Following the Coalition's 1990 election loss, Peacock was replaced with former Howard staffer Dr. John Hewson. For the English soldier and regicide see John Hewson (regicide. Asked whether he would try again to attain the Liberal leadership, Howard likened the possibility of his political comeback to "Lazarus with a triple bypass". ^[26]

Howard was a supporter of Hewson's economic program, with a Goods and Services Tax (GST) as its centrepiece. The GST (Goods and Services Tax is a Value added tax of 10% on most goods and services transactions in Australia. After Hewson lost the "unloseable" 1993 election to Paul Keating, Howard unsuccessfully challenged Hewson for the leadership. Paul John Keating (born 18 January 1944 was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, from 1991 to 1996 In 1994, he was again passed over for the leadership, which went to Alexander Downer. Alexander John Gosse Downer (born 9 September 1951 is an Australian Liberal politician who was Foreign Minister of Australia from March 1996 to December Downer failed to dent Keating's dominance and, in January 1995, he resigned as leader. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Peter Costello, deputy party leader, did not challenge for the leadership, over a decade later citing an agreement between the pair that allowed Howard to become leader for a second time unopposed. Peter Howard Costello (born 14 August 1957 is an Australian politician Howard said no deal had ever been made. ^[27]

Prime Minister

Main article: Howard Government

As Opposition Leader for the second time, Howard revised his earlier statements against Medicare and Asian immigration. The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia for the 11 years that John Howard was Prime Minister. This article describes the Australian universal health scheme Medicare ^[21] During the campaign Howard outlined his vision of Australia in 2000 to the ABC:

I want to see an Australian society that sees this country as a unique intersection of Europe, North America and Asia. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly abbreviated to the 'ABC' is Australia's national public broadcaster. Australia is incredibly lucky to have a European heritage, deep connections with North America, but to be geographically cast in the Asian/Pacific region and if we think of ourselves as that strategic intersection, then I think we have a remarkable opportunity to carve a special niche for ourselves in . . .  in the history of the next century. ^[12]

Following Howard's election to Opposition Leader, the Coalition opened a large lead over Labor in most opinion polls, and Howard overtook Keating as preferred Prime Minister. Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, commonly known as The Opposition, in Australia fulfils the same function as the Official opposition The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a pragmatic grouping of Centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922 Referring to the failed John Hewson proposal for a Goods and Services Tax (GST), Howard said:

There's no way that GST will ever be part of our policy. For the English soldier and regicide see John Hewson (regicide. The GST (Goods and Services Tax is a Value added tax of 10% on most goods and services transactions in Australia. . . .  Never ever. It's dead. It was killed by the voters in the last election. ^[28]

Winning over many traditional Labor voters, a group termed the "Howard battlers", Howard won a sweeping victory at the 1996 elections, with a 26-seat swing--the second-largest defeat of an incumbent government since Federation. The term Aussie Battler is an Australian Colloquialism referring to "ordinary" or Working class individuals who persevere through their commitments House of Reps preference flows The Democrats contested 138 electorates with preferences slightly favouring Labor (54 At the age of 56, he was sworn in as Prime Minister on 11 March 1996, ending a record 13 years of Coalition opposition. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) The Coalition in Australian politics refers to a pragmatic grouping of Centre-right parties that has existed in the form of a coalition agreement since 1922 ^[9]

In the run-up to the election, Pauline Hanson, the Liberal candidate for Oxley in Queensland was disendorsed because of comments she made to The Queensland Times. Pauline Lee Hanson ( née Seccombe; born 27 May 1954) is an Australian Politician and former leader of Pauline Hanson's The Division of Oxley is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. Howard said:

Well, I certainly believe in her right to say what she said. I thought some of the things she said were an accurate reflection of what people feel. ^[29]

First term: 1996–1998

Heralded by the prompt announcement that a $10-billion "budget black hole" left by the previous Labor government would necessitate considerable reduction in many areas of government expenditure, prudent economic management became a major emphasis of Howard's government. ^[30] Training and education programs developed under the Keating government were scrapped, infrastructure investment was scaled down, funding for indigenous bodies was reduced, and a "work for the dole" system was introduced that required able-bodied social security recipients to seek work. Work for the Dole is an Australian federal government program that is a form of Workfare, work-based welfare Social security primarily refers to a Social insurance program providing social protection or protection against socially recognized conditions including poverty old Thus began a trend of budget surpluses which would be maintained most years (excepting the 2001-2002 financial year where a cash deficit of $1. 3 Billion was recorded). ^[31]

Following the Port Arthur massacre in April 1996, Howard coordinated action by the state governments to restrict the private ownership of semi-automatic rifles, semi-automatic shotguns and pump-action shotguns and raised the prospect of a referendum on gun control. William Sebastian Cohen (born 28 August 1940) is an author and American politician from the U The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The Port Arthur massacre of 28 April 1996 was a killing spree which claimed the lives of 35 people and wounded 37 others mainly at the historic Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) The Parliaments of the Australian states and territories are legislative bodies within the federal framework of the Commonwealth of Australia. A semi-automatic, or self-loading Firearm is a gun that requires only a trigger pull for each round that is fired unlike a single-action A Semi-automatic shotgun is a form of Shotgun that is able to fire a cartridge after every trigger squeeze without any manual chambering of another round being required as is May 10 that year he structured a "National Firearms Agreement" covering related matters such as uniform firearms licensing, although this was never fully implemented.

Howard introduced a "Code of Ministerial Conduct"^[32] at the start of his term and seven cabinet ministers subsequently resigned following breaches of the code.

In the October 1998 election, the Liberal-National Coalition, suffered a large swing largely driven by an opposition campaign against the Government's proposal for Goods and Services Tax. Results House of Representatives preference flows The Nationals had candidates in 13 seats where Three-cornered-contests existed The Labor opposition won 51% of the national two-party preferred vote, but the Coalition were returned with a comfortable majority in parliament. This article deals with elections to the Australian Parliament.

Second term: 1998–2001

Following the August 1999 East Timor Special Autonomy Referendum result for secession from Indonesia and the subsequent "scorched earth" campaign by pro-Indonesian militias, Australia led a peacekeeping/policing force to East Timor. The East Timor special autonomy referendum was a Referendum (officially termed a “popular consultation” was held throughout East Timor on the 30th Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace Police are agents or agencies usually of the executive, empowered to enforce the law and to effect public and social order through the legitimatized use of force East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste (officially the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste) is a country in Southeast Asia. The mission won wide support in Australia but seriously damaged relations with the Indonesian government.

The promised Goods & Services Tax (GST) was introduced, replacing a range of taxes on specific goods with a flat rate on almost all goods and services. The GST (Goods and Services Tax is a Value added tax of 10% on most goods and services transactions in Australia. In accordance with an Intergovernmental Agreement, the Australian Government administers the GST on behalf of the states and territories, to whom all GST revenue is paid. The federal government determines the share of GST revenue received by each using a formula recommended by the Commonwealth Grants Commission. The Commonwealth Grants Commission is an Australian government body that advises on Australian Government (Commonwealth financial assistance to the States and Howard passed the GST legislation through the hostile Senate following a deal with Australian Democrats' leader Senator Meg Lees that excluded a number of items from the GST, including fresh food such as fruit and vegetables. The Australian Democrats is an Australian Political party espousing a centrist or Social liberal ideology Meg Heather Lees (born 19 October 1948) was a member of the Australian Senate from 1990 to 2005 representing the As a partial offset for the GST, a $7,000 "first home buyers grant" was introduced in 2000. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ^[33]

The Howard government was trailing in the polls in 2001. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. It lost a by-election in the normally safe electorate of Ryan in Queensland and Labor governments were elected in all the states and territories except South Australia (which fell to Labor in 2002). The Division of Ryan is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern corner of the mainland continent South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country In response, petrol excise indexation was abandoned and government benefits to self-funded retirees increased. Excise or Excise tax (sometimes called an excise duty) is a type of Tax charged on goods produced within the country (as opposed to Customs duties Indexation is a technique to adjust income payments by means of a Price index.

The 2001 election campaign

See also: Australian federal election, 2001

The government introduced "border protection" legislation which was broadly supported by the Labor opposition but opposed on specific points. Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 November, 2001. The issue saw the Howard government portray itself as "tough" on border protection and national security. National security is the entire scope of measures undertaken by the Governments of Nation-states in providing assurance of national Sovereignty The Howard government subsequently received a big lift in the polls^[34] and many commentators cite the August 2001 Tampa controversy as the decisive issue in the 2001 election. The MV Tampa is a Norwegian Cargo ship. In August 2001 under Captain Arne Rinnan, a diplomatic dispute brewed between Australia ^[35] For the 2001 election campaign, Howard used the slogan: "We will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come. "^[36]

In what was to become known as the Children Overboard Affair, Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock, Howard and Defence Minister Peter Reith Ruddock said that children had been thrown into the sea during a maritime incident involving a boatload of asylum seekers. Australian federal election 2001 The Children Overboard affair was an Australian Political controversy involving public allegations by Howard government Philip Maxwell Ruddock (born March 12, 1943) is an Australian politician who served in various ministries in the Coalition Government of former Australian Peter Keaston Reith, (born 15 July 1950) Australian former politician was a senior Cabinet minister in the first two terms of the Howard government ^[37] Following the election, naval and intelligence sources refuted the claim, and two senate inquiries found the claim to be untrue and that the government knew this prior to the election. ^[38]

At the November 2001 elections, the Coalition was re-elected with a larger majority than in 1998 and achieved the biggest swing to an incumbent government since 1966. Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 November, 2001. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar.

Third term: 2001–2004

The government did not secure a Senate majority in the 2001 election, and its ability to pass planned legislation was restricted.

The seat of Bennelong became home to many Asian immigrants, and in May 2002, Howard retracted his 1988 comments about Asian immigration:

My instinct is that Asian-Australians are very much part of the community now. Asian or Asiatic is a Demonym for people from Asia. However the use of the term varies by country and person often referring to people from a particular I think it (their integration) has been quicker. I just don't hear people talking about it now, even as much as they did five years ago, and I have an electorate which is very Asian. ^[21]

Throughout 2002 and 2003 he kept his lead in the opinion polls over Labor leader, Simon Crean. Simon Findlay Crean (born 26 February 1949) is an Australian Politician, and current Minister for Trade in the Australian Federal Government

In March 2003, the Howard government and 40 other countries including the United Kingdom and the United States, sent troops and naval units to support in the invasion of Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein from power. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti ( Arabic: ar صدام حسين عبد المجيد التكريتي --> April 28 1937 &ndash December 30 Large public protests against the war occurred in various cities. ^[39] Several senior figures from the Liberal party, including John Valder, a former president of the Liberal Party, and Howard's former friend and colleague, former Opposition Leader John Hewson and former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser publicly criticised Howard over Iraq. John Valder (born 21 September 1931 is a former president of the federal Liberal Party of Australia and also a previous chairman of the Australian Stock Exchange. For the English soldier and regicide see John Hewson (regicide. John Malcolm Fraser, AC, CH (born 21 May 1930 is an Australian Liberal politician who was the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. ^[40] John Valder's criticism was particularly strong, claiming that Howard should be tried and punished as a war criminal. War crimes are "violations of the laws or customs of war" including but not limited to "murder the ill-treatment or deportation of civilian residents of an occupied ^[41]

On Anzac Day 2004, Howard made an unannounced visit to Australian defence personnel in Iraq. This came amid debate in Australia over the war following opposition leader Mark Latham's promise to return Australian troops by Christmas. Mark William Latham (born 28 February 1961) a former Australian politician was leader of the Federal Parliamentary Australian Labor Party Howard portrayed Latham as a threat to the U.S.-Australia alliance. The Australia New Zealand United States Security Treaty ( ANZUS or ANZUS Treaty) is the Military alliance which binds Australia and

On 6 May 2004, Howard convened a meeting with a group of energy industry representatives called the Lower Emissions Technology Advisory Group (LETAG). Events 1527 - Spanish and German troops sack Rome; some consider this the end of the Renaissance. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Although it met with the renewable energy sector separately, the Government was later criticised for not inviting them to this meeting. According to leaked minutes from the meeting, Howard would conclude that technology would be the long-term solution to greenhouse issues and his focus should be on ways to accelerate introduction of technology for reducing greenhouse gases, but that he was not looking for the establishment of public policy. Concerns about the cost and effectiveness of the current Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets (MRET) were also raised. Renewable energy is Energy generated from Natural resources mdashsuch as Sunlight, Wind, Rain, tides and geothermal ^[42]

See also: Australian federal election, 2004

On 29 August 2004, Howard called an election for 9 October. Federal elections were held in Australia on 9 October, 2004. All 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 40 seats in the 76-member Events 708 - Copper coins are minted in Japan for the first time (Traditional Japanese date: August 10, 708) "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Events 768 - Carloman I and Charlemagne are crowned Kings of The Franks. The Labor opposition, after the resignation of Simon Crean and the election of Mark Latham as leader in December 2003, had established a large lead in some opinion polls by March 2004, and the government entered the election campaign behind Labor in all published national opinion polls. Simon Findlay Crean (born 26 February 1949) is an Australian Politician, and current Minister for Trade in the Australian Federal Government Mark William Latham (born 28 February 1961) a former Australian politician was leader of the Federal Parliamentary Australian Labor Party Howard himself still had a large lead over Latham as preferred Prime Minister in those same polls and most commentators regarded the result as being too close to call.

During the campaign, Howard attacked Latham's economic record as Mayor of Liverpool City Council. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government The City of Liverpool is a Local Government Area to the southwest of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Howard also attacked Labor's economic history.

It is an historic fact that interest rates have always gone up under Labor governments over the last 30 years, because Labor governments spend more than they collect and drive budgets into deficit . . .  So it will be with a Latham Labor government. . .  I will guarantee that interest rates are always going to be lower under a Coalition government. ^[43]

Towards the end of the election campaign, Howard promised a large spending program on health, education, small business and family payments, areas perceived as Labor strengths.

The election result was an increased Coalition majority in the House of Representatives and the first, albeit slim, government majority in the Senate since 1981. On a two party preferred basis, the Coalition achieved 52. 74% of the vote to Labor's 47. 26%. However, for the second time since becoming Prime Minister, Howard himself had to go to preferences in order to win another term in his own seat. He took 49. 9 percent of the first count and was only assured of reelection on the third count. Ultimately, Howard won 53. 3 percent of the two-party preferred vote. ^[44]

Fourth term: 2004–2007

On 21 December 2004, Howard became the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies. Alison Janette Howard (born 11 July 1944) is the wife of John Howard, who was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia. The President of the United States is the Head of state and Head of government of the United States and is the highest political official in United States by George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. The Sydney Opera House is located in Sydney New South Wales, Australia Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, KT, AK, CH, QC (20 December 1894 - 15 May 1978 Australian politician was the twelfth person to serve ^[45] The new Senate came into effect on 1 July 2005, giving a government control of both houses for the first time since the Fraser government. "July 1st" redirects here For the Ayumi Hamasaki song see H (song. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The Howard government revisited and secured the passage of previously blocked legislation, including industrial relations changes, the abolition of compulsory university student union fees and liberalisation of media ownership laws (by lowering restrictions on media companies owning multiple different media). The Workplace Relations Act 1996 as amended by the Workplace Relations Amendment Act 2005, or WorkChoices, which came into effect in March 2006, was the most Voluntary student unionism (VSU is a policy under which membership of &ndash and payment of membership fees to &ndash University student organisations is voluntary It also instructed the Governor-General to disallow a legislation, the ACT Civil Unions Act. The Civil Unions Act 2006 (ACT was an Act of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly which established Civil unions for same-sex ^[46]

Howard chaired APEC Australia 2007, culminating in the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Sydney during September. ^[47] The meeting was at times overshadowed by leadership speculation following further poor poll results^[48] and public criticism of security arrangements. ^[49]

The Coalition trailed Labor in opinion polls from mid-2006 onward, but Howard still consistently led Labor leader Kim Beazley on the question of preferred Prime Minister. For Kim Beazley's father Kim Beazley senior, see Kim Edward Beazley. In December 2006, after Kevin Rudd became Labor leader, the two-party preferred deficit widened even further and Rudd swiftly overtook Howard as preferred Prime Minister. Kevin Michael Rudd (born 21 September 1957 is the 26th and current Prime Minister of Australia and federal leader of the Centre-left Australian Labor

See also: Economy of Australia

In April 2006, the government announced it had completely paid off the last of $96 billion of Commonwealth net debt inherited when it came to power in 1996. Throughout this article the unqualified term "dollar" and the $ symbol refer to the Australian dollar. ^[50] Economists generally welcomed the news, while cautioning that some level of debt was not necessarily bad, and that some of the debt had been transferred to the private sector. ^[51] Howard often cited the economic management of his government as a point in its favour, but came under heavy criticism toward the end of 2007 in the lead up to the Federal election. It was alleged by opposition leader Kevin Rudd during their single leadership debate that Howard had no plan to deal with inflationary pressures on the economy, and would not be able to handle future interest rate rises. Kevin Michael Rudd (born 21 September 1957 is the 26th and current Prime Minister of Australia and federal leader of the Centre-left Australian Labor

In 2005, Howard announced significant changes to industrial relations laws, known as Workchoices. The Workplace Relations Act 1996 as amended by the Workplace Relations Amendment Act 2005, or WorkChoices, which came into effect in March 2006, was the most The were opposed by the union movement and state Labor governments, and public rallies were held to protest the proposed changes. A national day of protest was held in Australia on 15 November, 2005, to protest against the industrial relations legislation being introduced ^[52] The industrial relations were passed into law but were later cited as a major factor in the Howard government's 2007 election loss. The Labor party undertook to repeal the legislation.

The Howard government did not sign the Kyoto Protocol, arguing that it did not set binding emission reduction targets for developing countries such as China and India. The City of Maroondah is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia. Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Kyoto Protocol is a protocol to the international Framework Convention on Climate Change with the objective of reducing Greenhouse gases in an effort Developing countries are countries that haven't reached Western-style standards of democratic government free market economy industrialization social programs and human rights guaranties China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country ^[53]

The 2007 election campaign

Main article: Australian federal election, 2007

On 14 October, Howard announced a 24 November election, saying the country "does not need new leadership, it does not need old leadership. It needs the right leadership". ^[54] By the time election writs were issued, the Coalition was running well behind Labor in all polls. Most pundits predicted a large Labor victory. ABC election analyst Antony Green noted the Coalition's numbers were similar to what Labor had polled before losing power in 1996. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly abbreviated to the 'ABC' is Australia's national public broadcaster. Antony Green is an election commentator for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC

Opposition leader Kevin Rudd called for a minimum of three debates between himself and John Howard over the campaign period. Kevin Michael Rudd (born 21 September 1957 is the 26th and current Prime Minister of Australia and federal leader of the Centre-left Australian Labor Howard, who had been rated poorly by studio audiences at past leadership debates, pressed for a single debate "whether [Rudd] was there or not". On 21 October, Howard and Rudd took part in a live nationally televised leaders' debate. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic Debate ( American English) or debating ( British English) is a formal method of interactive and position representational Argument. Although Howard had pressed for the Nine Network to abandon its use of "the worm" — an on-screen graphic depicting studio audience sentiment — it still featured in Nine's debate coverage. The Nine Network, or Channel Nine, is an Australian television network based in Willoughby, a suburb on the North Shore of Sydney ^[55] Commentators widely reported Rudd as the victor in the debate. ^[56]

In the 24 November election, Howard and his Coalition government were soundly defeated, losing 23 seats — the fourth-worst defeat of an incumbent government since Federation. The federation of Australia was the process by which the six separate British self-governing colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, South Late that night, Howard conceded that Labor had won government and the likelihood that he had lost Bennelong to former journalist Maxine McKew. Maxine Margaret McKew MP (born 22 July 1953 is an Australian politician and the Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care in the First Rudd Ministry Howard had been 206 votes ahead of McKew on the first count, and finished 2. 8 percentage points behind McKew on the estimated two-party vote. ^[57] While the ABC and other media outlets projected on election night that Howard had been unseated, McKew declined to claim victory at first, saying that the seat was on "a knife edge. "^[58] On 1 December, McKew claimed victory. ^[59] Counting was incomplete at the time, with several postal and absentee ballots still outstanding. However, it was expected that Howard would not win enough of them to retain hi seat. ^{[60][61][62][63]}

On 12 December, the Electoral Commission formally declared McKew the winner by 44,685 votes (51. 4 percent) to Howard's 42,251 (48. 6 percent). Howard formally conceded defeat later that day. The final tally showed that Howard lost on the 14th count due to a large flow of Green preferences to McKew. The Australian Greens, commonly known as The Greens, is a Green Australian political party. He had been ahead by thin margins for most of the night, never leading by more than 0. 2 percentage points. ^[64] Four other members of Howard's Cabinet were defeated.

Howard confided in a former colleague that losing Bennelong was a "silver lining in the thunder cloud of defeat" as it spared him the ignominy of opposition. ^[65] He remained in office as caretaker Prime Minister until the formal swearing in of Rudd's government on 3 December. ^[66] Howard is the second Australian Prime Minister, after Stanley Bruce, to lose his seat in an election. Stanley Melbourne Bruce 1st Viscount Bruce of Melbourne, CH, MC, FRS, PC (15 April 1883&ndash25 August 1967 was an Australian politician and ^[67]

Federal Liberal Party director Brian Loughnane said "it was the failure of Kim Beazley's leadership that had masked voter concerns about Howard". For Kim Beazley's father Kim Beazley senior, see Kim Edward Beazley. ^[68] Media analysis of The Australian Election Study, a postal survey of 1873 voters during the 2007 poll, found that although respondents respected Howard and thought he had won the 6-week election campaign, Howard was considered "at odds with public opinion on cut-through issues", his opponent had achieved the highest "likeability" rating in the survey's 20-year history, and a majority had decided their voting intention prior to the election campaign. ^[69]

Leadership and retirement doubts

Despite being the second-longest serving Prime Minister in Australian history, John Howard's time in office was marked by almost continuous speculation about when he would be succeeded as Prime Minister by Peter Costello. Peter Howard Costello (born 14 August 1957 is an Australian politician ^[70]

In July 2006, it was alleged that a deal had been struck with Peter Costello in 1994 with Ian McLachlan present, that if the Liberal party were to win the next election, Howard would serve one and a half terms of office and then allow Costello to take over. Ian Murray McLachlan AO (b 2 October 1936) is an Australian landowner former First-class cricketer and former member of the Howard denied that this constituted a deal, yet Costello and McLachlan insisted it did;^[71] and there were calls for Costello to either challenge or quit. ^[72]

After losing government and his seat, John Howard anointed Costello as his successor. Costello however refused to accept the role of leader of the opposition^[73], and Brendan Nelson was elected as leader of the parliamentary Liberal Party. Brendan John Nelson, MP (born 19 August 1958 is an Australian politician and former Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Australia, as leader

Relationship with George Bush

A feature of John Howard's period in office was his close relationship with United States president George W. Bush^[74] In May, 2003, Howard made an overnight stay at Bush's Prairie Chapel Ranch in Texas^[75]. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Prairie Chapel Ranch is a 1583 Acre (64 km² estate located seven miles (10 km northwest of Crawford Texas, considered the Western White House Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. The two shared a common ideology on many issues, most visibly in their approach to the "War on Terror". The War on Terrorism (also known as the War on Terror) is the common term for the military political and legal, and ideological conflict and specifically for U ^[74]

In February 2007, referring to the US presidential contest, Howard claimed that Democratic nomination candidate Barack Obama's stance on the war would encourage terrorism in Iraq]]^[76][77]. The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party.

Relationship with Indigenous Australia

Following the Wik Decision of the High Court in 1996, John Howard's government moved swiftly to legislate limitations on its possible implications with the so-called Ten-Point Plan. Wik Peoples v The State of Queensland (commonly known as the Wik decision) is a decision of the High Court of Australia delivered on 23 December 1996 The Native Title Amendment Act 1998 (Cth also commonly referred to as the "10 Point Plan" is an Australian law created by the John Howard led Liberal

As recommended in the 1997 Bringing Them Home report, John Howard's government also considered the issue of a national apology to Indigenous Australians, in recognition of the treatment by previous governments following the European settlement of the country. Bringing Them Home is the title of the Australian "Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous Australians are descendants of the first known human inhabitants of the Australian continent and its nearby islands. However, in the face of a growing movement in favour of a national apology, Howard was resolute in his refusal to do this, although all state and territory governments issued their own. Instead, on 26 August 1999 John Howard personally expressed "deep sorrow" while maintaining that "Australians of this generation should not be required to accept guilt and blame for past actions and policies. Events 1071 - Battle of Manzikert: The Seljuk Turks defeat the Byzantine Army at Manzikert. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) "^[78] In February 2008, after Howard failed to win a fifth term, incoming Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made an apology on behalf of the federal parliament, which received bipartisan support. Kevin Michael Rudd (born 21 September 1957 is the 26th and current Prime Minister of Australia and federal leader of the Centre-left Australian Labor Howard was the only living former Prime Minister who declined to attend. ^[79]

In 2005, the Howard Government abolished the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, the only federal body charged with formally representing indigenous Australians. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission ( ATSIC) ( 1990 &ndash 2005) was the Australian Government body through which Aboriginal This was done in response to concerns that its organisational structure was conducive to corrupt behaviour by its officers^[80].

Northern Territory intervention

In August 2007, the Howard government announced the Northern Territory National Emergency Response. The Northern Territory National Emergency Response (also referred to as "the intervention" is a package of changes to welfare provision law enforcement land tenure and other This package of revisions to welfare provisions, law enforcement and other measures was advanced as a plan for addressing child abuse in Aboriginal Northern Territory communities that had been highlighted by the "Little Children are Sacred" report in mid-June. Welfare is financial assistance paid to people by governments The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the center of the mainland continent as well as the central northern regions Little Children are Sacred is the report of a Board of Inquiry into the Protection of Aboriginal Children from Sexual Abuse commissioned by the government of the Northern

Howard had been a long-time opponent of indigenous Native Title in Australia. Native title is a concept in the Law of Australia that recognises in certain cases there was and is a continued beneficial legal interest in land held by local Indigenous Key components of the intervention included seizure by the Federal Government of local community land leases for a five year period and removal of the permit system that had allowed aboriginal communities to control access to their land.

The plan drew criticism from the report's authors for not incorporating any of the report's numerous recommendations^[81], however some aboriginal activists such as Noel Pearson provided qualified support for the intervention, as it provided the first sign of the Howard government taking any significant interest in aboriginal affairs. Noel Pearson may refer to Noel Pearson (Australian lawyer, Australian lawyer and activist Noel Pearson (film and theatre Commentators noted the approaching November federal election, suggesting that the intervention was an attempt at "wedge politics" and an appeal to middle class non-Aboriginal voters concerned with child abuse and racial issues.

After politics

In January 2008, John Howard signed with a prominent speaking agency called the Washington Speakers Bureau, joining Tony Blair, Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, and others. Anthony Charles Lynton "Tony" Blair (born 6 May 1953 is a British Politician who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to Colin Luther Powell, KCB (Honorary MSC, (born April 5, 1937) is a retired General in the United States Army. Madeleine Korbel Albright (born Marie Jana Korbelová on May 15, 1937) was the first woman to become United States Secretary of State. He will be available for two speeches, Leadership in the New Century and The Global Economic Future. ^[82] In February 2008, John Howard gave a speech to the Nigerian parliament on how to achieve economic prosperity. ^[83]

Honours

• Appointed as a Companion of the Order of Australia in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours list "for distinguished service to the Parliament of Australia, particularly as Prime Minister and through contributions to economic and social policy reform, fostering and promoting Australia's interests internationally, and the development of significant philanthropic links between the business sector, arts and charitable organisations. Peter Nicholson (born 1946 is an Australian political cartoonist caricaturist and sculptor whose work has been published in The Age, The Australian The Prime Minister's Avenue is a collection of busts of the Prime Ministers of Australia, located at the Ballarat Botanical Gardens in Ballarat Victoria The Ballarat Botanical Gardens Reserve, located on the western shore of picturesque Lake Wendouree, in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, covers Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia on 14 February 1975 "for the purpose of according recognition " ^[84]
• Centenary Medal in January 2001
• The Star of the Solomon Islands together with Helen Clark as Prime Minister of New Zealand on 15 June 2005 for their respective roles in restoring law and order in the Solomon Islands. The Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. Helen Elizabeth Clark (born 26 February 1950 is the 37th and current Prime Minister of New Zealand. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Events 763 BC - Assyrians record a Solar eclipse that will be used to fix the Chronology of Mesopotamian history Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[85]
• Irving Kristol Award, the highest award of the American Enterprise Institute, 3 January 2008 ^[86]
• Common Wealth Award of Distinguished Service in Government, 6 April 2008 ^[87]
• Howard also recieved the prestigious Woodrow Wilson Award from the Woodrow Wilson Center of the U. Irving Kristol (born January 22, 1920) is an American philospher considered the founder of American neoconservatism. The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI is a conservative Think tank, founded in 1943 Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The Common Wealth Awards of Distinguished Service (or Common Wealth Awards) were created under the will of the late Ralph Hayes an influential American business executive Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common S. Smithsonian Institution on August 22, 2005 in Sydney.

See also

• First Howard Ministry
• Second Howard Ministry
• Third Howard Ministry
• Fourth Howard Ministry

Notes

Further reading

Publications

• Barnett, David; Goward, Pru (1997). The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI is a conservative Think tank, founded in 1943 Events 1431 - Joan of Arc is handed over to the Bishop Pierre Cauchon. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Prudence Jane Goward (born 2 September 1952) is a former Australia 's Federal Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Commissioner Responsible for Age Discrimination John Howard, Prime Minister. Viking. ISBN 0-670-87389-6.  

• Cater, Nick (2006). Nick Cater is an Australian journalist He was appointed Editor of The Weekend Australian in March 2007 and has been a senior editorial executive at The Australian The Howard Factor. Melbourne University Publishing. ISBN 0-522-85284-X.  

• Errington, Wayne; Van Onselen, Peter (2007). John Winston Howard: The Biography. Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. ISBN 9780522853346

• Kevin, Tony (2004). A Certain Maritime Incident the sinking of SIEV X. Scribe Publications. ISBN 1-920769-21-8.  

• Kingston, Margo (June 2004). Margo Kingston (born 1959 is an Australian journalist author and commentator Not Happy, John! defending Australia's democracy. Penguin. ISBN 0-14-300258-9.  

• Maddox, Marion (February 2005). Marion Maddox (b ? is an Australian author academic and political commentator God Under Howard: The rise of the religious right in Australian politics. St Leonards: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-74114-568-6.  

• Marr, David; Wilkinson, Marian (August 2005). David Marr (b 1947 in Sydney) is an Australian Journalist and Author. Marian Wilkinson is an Australian journalist and author She was born in 1954 and grew up in Brisbane, Queensland where she attended the Dark Victory. St Leonards: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 1-74114-447-7.  

• Wilkie, Andrew (October 2004). Andrew Wilkie (born 1961 Tamworth, Australia) is a former soldier and intelligence analyst who resigned from the Office of National Assessments (ONA Axis of deceit (Black Inc. Agenda). Melbourne: Schwarz Publishing. ISBN 0-9750769-2-2.  

Websites

• Howard's speech to parliament in which he puts forward his claims of threat from Iraq as reasons for Australian support of the subsequent invasion of Iraq in 2003. Hansard of the Parliament of Australia (2003-02-04). Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 211 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons Retrieved on 2006-07-08. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000

External links

• Australia's Prime Ministers: John Howard National Archives of Australia
• John Howard addresses a joint session of parliament in Canada, the first Australian Prime Minister to do so since John Curtin in 1944. John Joseph Curtin (8 January 1885 &ndash 5 July 1945 Australian politician and 14th Prime Minister of Australia, led Australia when the Australian mainland came under direct
• John Howard: A political life – a slideshow of John Howard's life
• ABC's Four Corners – Howard's End video

Political offices
Preceded by Ivor Greenwood (customs)	Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs 1975 – 1977	Succeeded by Wal Fife
New title	Minister for Special Trade Negotiations 1977	Succeeded by Victor Garland
Preceded by Phillip Lynch	Treasurer of Australia 1977 – 1983	Succeeded by Paul Keating
Preceded by Paul Keating	Prime Minister of Australia 1996 – 2007	Succeeded by Kevin Rudd
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Sir John Cramer	Member for Bennelong 1974 – 2007	Succeeded by Maxine McKew
Party political offices
Preceded by Andrew Peacock	Leader of the Liberal Party 1985 – 1989	Succeeded by Andrew Peacock
Preceded by Alexander Downer	Leader of the Liberal Party 1995 – 2007	Succeeded by Brendan Nelson

Persondata
NAME	Howard, John Winston
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	Prime Minister of Australia
DATE OF BIRTH	26 July 1939
PLACE OF BIRTH	Sydney, Australia
DATE OF DEATH	Living
PLACE OF DEATH

Ivor John Greenwood ( 15 November 1926 – 13 October 1976) was an Australian politician and barrister The Australian Minister for Home Affairs has been the Hon Bob Debus MP since 3 December 2007. Wallace Clyde Fife (born 2 October 1929) is a former Australian politician The Australian Minister for Trade has been the Hon Simon Crean since December 2007 Sir Ransley Victor Garland KBE (born 5 May 1934 usually known as Victor Garland or as Vic Garland, was an Australian politician Sir Phillip Reginald Lynch KCMG ( 27 July, 1933 - June 19, 1984) was an Australian Liberal politician The Treasurer of Australia is the minister in the Government of Australia and head of the Department of the Treasury, responsible for government expenditure Paul John Keating (born 18 January 1944 was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, from 1991 to 1996 Paul John Keating (born 18 January 1944 was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, from 1991 to 1996 The Prime Minister of Australia is the Head of government of the Commonwealth of Australia, holding office on commission from the Governor-General. Kevin Michael Rudd (born 21 September 1957 is the 26th and current Prime Minister of Australia and federal leader of the Centre-left Australian Labor The Parliament of Australia or Commonwealth Parliament is the legislative branch of government of Australia. Sir John Oscar Cramer ( 18 February 1896 – 18 May 1994) was an Australian politician representing the Liberal Party of Australia The Division of Bennelong is an Australian electorate in New South Wales. Maxine Margaret McKew MP (born 22 July 1953 is an Australian politician and the Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care in the First Rudd Ministry Andrew Sharp Peacock AC (born 13 February 1939 is a former Australian Liberal politician The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. Andrew Sharp Peacock AC (born 13 February 1939 is a former Australian Liberal politician Alexander John Gosse Downer (born 9 September 1951 is an Australian Liberal politician who was Foreign Minister of Australia from March 1996 to December The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party. Brendan John Nelson, MP (born 19 August 1958 is an Australian politician and former Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Australia, as leader Events 657 - Battle of Siffin. 811 - Battle of Pliska; Byzantine Emperor Nicephorus Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Sydney (ˈsɪdniː is the most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 4 For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.

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