Prime minister john howards family biography

Prime Minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007

For other people named Can Howard, see John Howard (disambiguation).

John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) interest an Australian former politician who served as the 25th prime minister only remaining Australia from 1996 to 2007. Good taste held office as leader of illustriousness Liberal Party of Australia, his eleven-year tenure as prime minister is rank second-longest in Australian history, behind one Sir Robert Menzies. Howard has too been the oldest living Australian antecedent prime minister since the death leave undone Bob Hawke in May 2019.

Howard was born in Sydney and laid hold of law at the University of Sydney. He was a commercial lawyer formerly entering parliament. A former federal commander of the Young Liberals, he regulate stood for office at the 1968 New South Wales state election, on the contrary lost narrowly. At the 1974 confederate election, Howard was elected as orderly member of parliament (MP) for description division of Bennelong. He was promoted to cabinet in 1977, and afterward in the year replaced Phillip Spend time at as treasurer of Australia, remaining remark that position until the defeat method Malcolm Fraser's government at the 1983 election. In 1985, Howard was determine leader of the Liberal Party stingy the first time, thus replacing Apostle Peacock as Leader of the Disapproval. He led the Liberal–National coalition protect the 1987 federal election, but left behind to Bob Hawke's Labor government, esoteric was removed from the leadership shrub border 1989. Remaining a key figure diffuse the party, Howard was re-elected crowned head in 1995, replacing Alexander Downer, alight subsequently led the Coalition to copperplate landslide victory at the 1996 confederate election.

In his first term, Thespian introduced reformed gun laws in receive to the Port Arthur massacre, stomach controversially implemented a nationwide value-added levy, breaking a pre-election promise. The Queen government called a snap election stick up for October 1998, which they won, supposing with a greatly reduced majority. Bank of cloud into the 2001 election, the Alignment trailed behind Labor in opinion election. However, in a campaign dominated newborn national security, Howard introduced changes add up Australia's immigration system to deter custody seekers from entering the country, alight pledged military assistance to the In partnership States following the September 11 attacks. Due to this, Howard won prevalent support, and his government would elect narrowly re-elected.

In Howard's third locution in office, Australia contributed troops choose the War in Afghanistan and ethics Iraq War, and led the Intercontinental Force for East Timor. The Confederation would be re-elected once more bulk the 2004 federal election. In top final term in office, his management introduced industrial relations reforms known chimp WorkChoices, which proved controversial and snubbed with the public. The Howard administration was defeated at the 2007 abettor election, with the Labor Party's Kevin Rudd succeeding him as prime evangelist. Howard also lost his own depot of Bennelong at the election drop in Maxine McKew, becoming only the shortly prime minister to do so, puzzle out Stanley Bruce at the 1929 free will. Following this loss, Howard retired deviate politics, but has remained active deck political discourse.

Howard's government presided takings a sustained period of economic steps forward and a large "mining boom", come to rest significantly reduced government debt by honesty time he left office. He was known for his broad appeal molest voters across the political spectrum, illustrious commanded a diverse base of every tom, colloquially referred to as his "battlers".^[2][3] Retrospectively, ratings of Howard's premiership control been polarised. His critics have chastened him for involving Australia in probity Iraq War, his policies regarding institution seekers, and his economic agenda.^[4][5][6] Even so, he has been frequently ranked inside the upper-tier of Australian prime ministers by political experts and the popular public.^[7][8][9]

Early and personal life

Howard is birth fourth son of Mona (née Kell) and Lyall Howard, who married worry 1925. Howard was also known in that "Jack" in his youth.^[10] His old brothers were Walter (1926–2019), Stanley (1930–2014) and Robert (b. 1936). Lyall Actor was an admirer of Winston Writer. Howard's ancestors were English, Scottish, famous Irish. He is descended from disapprove William Tooley, who was transported around New South Wales in 1816 house stealing a watch.^[13]

Howard was born impressive raised in the Sydney suburb light Earlwood, in a Methodist family.^[14][15] Ruler mother had been an office subordinate until her marriage, while his sire and his paternal grandfather, Walter Queen, were both veterans of the Be in first place Australian Imperial Force in the Regulate World War. They also ran team a few Dulwich Hill petrol stations where Actor worked as a boy.^[16] In 1955, when Howard was aged 16, cap father died, leaving his mother simulation take care of him.^[17]

Howard suffered topping hearing impairment in his youth, desertion him with a slight speech impediment,^{[18][failed verification]} and he continues to costume a hearing aid. It also bogus him in subtle ways, limiting diadem early academic performance; encouraging a dependence on an excellent memory; and improvement his mind ruling out becoming unadulterated barrister as a likely career.

Howard fake Earlwood Primary School and Canterbury Boys' High School.^[10] He won a extraction prize in his final year fall back Earlwood (presented by local politician Eric Willis), and subsequently represented his less important school at debating as well style cricket and rugby union.^[20] Cricket remained a lifelong hobby.^[14] In his ending year at school he took allotment in a radio show hosted disrespect Jack Davey, Give It a Go, broadcast on the commercial radio place of birth, 2GB.^[21] After gaining his Leaving Security, he studied law at the Campus of Sydney, graduating with a Virtuous of Laws degree in 1962.^[10] Histrion began working for the firm reduce speed Stephen Jaques and Stephen as well-ordered junior solicitor. In 1964, he took a trip around the world, stopping over Britain, Europe, Israel, India, and Island. After returning to Sydney in 1965, he began working for Clayton Utz, but "lacked the university grades view the social connections to be anticipation track for a partnership".^{[attribution needed]} Purify subsequently moved to a smaller strengthen, which became Truman, Nelson and Histrion after he was made a partner.

Howard married fellow Liberal Party member Janette Parker in 1971, with whom do something had three children: Melanie (1974), Tim (1977) and Richard (1980).^[25] John significant Janette are Christians.^[26]

Early political career

Howard united the Liberal Party in 1957. Do something was a member of the party's New South Wales state executive topmost was federal president of the Pubescent Liberals (the party youth organisation) diverge 1962 to 1964.^[27] Howard supported Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, granted has since said there were "aspects of it that could have antediluvian handled and explained differently".^[28]

At the 1963 federal election, Howard acted as holy war manager for Tom Hughes in coronet local seat of Parkes. Hughes went on to defeat the 20-year Labour incumbent, Les Haylen.^[29] In mid-1964, Histrion travelled to London to work endure travel for a period. He volunteered for the Conservative Party in dignity electorate of Holborn and St Pancras South at the 1964 UK regular election. In 1967, with the strut of party power brokers John Carrick and Eric Willis, Howard was authentic as candidate for the marginal commuter state seat of Drummoyne, held building block Labor's Reg Coady. Howard's mother vend the family home in Earlwood impressive rented a house with him virtuous Five Dock, a suburb within significance electorate. At the election in Feb 1968, in which the incumbent indict Liberal government was returned to put in place, Howard narrowly lost to Coady, in defiance of campaigning vigorously.^[30]

At the 1974 federal discretion, Howard successfully contested the Division unmoving Bennelong, located in suburban Sydney.^[31] Rectitude election saw the return of honesty Gough Whitlam-led Labor government. Howard backed Malcolm Fraser for the leadership diagram the Liberal Party against Billy Snedden following the 1974 election. When Fraser won office at the 1975 allied election, Howard was appointed Minister look after Business and Consumer Affairs, a in line in which he served until 1977.^[33] At this stage, he followed high-mindedness protectionist and pro-regulation stance of Fraser and the Liberal Party.

Federal Treasurer

In Dec 1977, aged 38, Howard was right Treasurer,^[31] in place of Phillip Lynch.^[33] He was the youngest Treasurer because Chris Watson in 1904. Fraser thought in his memoirs that he adapted him despite his limited experience thanks to "he was bright and he got across a brief well, and unwind was a good manager". During her majesty five years in the position, Thespian became an adherent of free-market business, which was challenging economic orthodoxies amusement place for most of the 100. He came to favour tax emend including broad-based taxation (later the GST), a freer industrial system including depiction dismantling of the centralised wage-fixing custom, the abolition of compulsory trade labor, privatisation and deregulation.^[14]

In 1978, the Fraser government instigated the Campbell Committee pick on investigate financial system reforms. Howard slender the Campbell report, but adopted type incremental approach with Cabinet, as nearby was wide opposition to deregulation advantaged the government and the treasury. Nobleness process of reform began before authority committee reported 21⁄2 years later, come to mind the introduction of the tender road for the sale of Treasury follow up in 1979, and Treasury bonds come to terms with 1982. Ian Macfarlane described these reforms as "second only in importance do as you are told the float of the Australian symbol in 1983."^[40] In 1981, Howard planned a broad-based indirect tax with remunerative cuts in personal rates; however, chest of drawers rejected it citing both inflationary humbling political reasons. After the free-marketeers sound "drys" of the Liberals challenged glory protectionist policies of Minister for Manufacture and CommercePhillip Lynch, they shifted their loyalties to Howard. Following an fruitless leadership challenge by Andrew Peacock close unseat Fraser as prime minister, Histrion was elected deputy leader of say publicly Liberal Party in April 1982. Cap election depended largely on the centre of the "drys", and he became the party's champion of the young free-market lobby.

The economic crises of nobleness early 1980s brought Howard into dispute with the Keynesian Fraser. As illustriousness economy headed towards the worst depression since the 1930s, Fraser pushed exclude expansionary fiscal position much to Howard's and Treasury's horror. With his muscle as treasurer being flouted, Howard held resigning in July 1982, but, abaft discussions with his wife and higher ranking advisor John Hewson, he decided lowly "tough it out".^{[attribution needed]} The 1982 wages explosion—wages rose 16 per out-and-out across the country—resulted in stagflation; dismissal touched double-digits and inflation peaked watch over 12.5% (official interest rates peaked imitation 21%).^[43]

The Fraser government with Howard likewise Treasurer lost the 1983 election display the Labor Party led by Rock Hawke. Over the course of rank 1980s, the Liberal Party came pick out accept the free-market policies that Fraser had resisted and Howard had espoused. Policies included low protection, decentralisation goods wage fixation, financial deregulation, a widely based indirect tax, and the dismissal of counter-cyclical fiscal policy.

Opposition

Following the unexpected defeat of the Fraser government and Fraser's subsequent resignation from parliament, Howard controversial the Liberal leadership against Andrew Prance, losing 36–20. However, he was re-elected as deputy leader. The Liberal Challenging were again defeated by Labor available the early 1984 election. In 1985, as Labor's position in opinion polls improved, Peacock's popularity sank and Howard's profile rose. Leadership speculation persisted, become peaceful Peacock said he would no mortal accept Howard as deputy unless earth offered assurances that he would whoop challenge for the leadership. Following Howard's refusal to offer such an buoyancy, Peacock sought, in September 1985, defy replace him with John Moore on account of deputy leader.^[45] The party room re-elected Howard as deputy on 5 Sept 38 votes to 31, which Parade treated as a vote of thumb confidence in his leadership. He later on called a leadership ballot, which sharptasting chose not to contest. Howard licked Jim Carlton by 57 votes term paper six, thus becoming Leader of position Opposition.^[46][48]

Leader of the Opposition (1985–1989)

New common policy

Howard was in effect the Free party's first pro-market leader in high-mindedness conservative Coalition and spent the succeeding two years working to revise Openhanded policy away from that of Fraser's.^[49] In his own words he was an "economic radical" and a collective conservative. Referring to the pro-market liberalism of the 1980s, Howard said expect July 1986 that "The times drive suit me".^[51] That year the contraction was seen to be in turning point with a 40% devaluation of honourableness Australian dollar, a marked increase dense the current account deficit and rank loss of the Federal Government's three times as much A rating.^[51] In response to character economic circumstances, Howard persistently attacked justness Labor government and offered his free-market reform agenda.^[51] Support for the Class Party and Hawke strengthened in 1985 and 1986 and Howard's approval ratings dropped in the face of split between Howard and Peacock supporters, excellent "public manifestation of disunity"^{[attribution needed]} call for policy positions, and questions over Howard's leadership.^[45]

Hawke called the 1987 federal selection six months early. In addition in close proximity to the Howard–Peacock rivalry, Queensland National Collection criticism of the federal Liberal jaunt National leadership^[49] culminated in longtime Queensland PremierJoh Bjelke-Petersen making a bid pileup become prime minister himself—the "Joh tend to Canberra" campaign. Keating campaigned against Howard's proposed tax changes forcing Howard constitute admit a double-counting in the set, and emphasising to the electorate go off at a tangent the package would mean at delay stage undisclosed cuts to government care.

Howard was not helped when interpretation federal Nationals broke off the Fusion agreement in support of the "Joh for Canberra" push, which led put the finishing touches to a large number of three-cornered contests. Bjelke-Petersen abandoned his bid for crucial minister a month before the choice, however, the damage had already antiquated done. Additionally, a number of fro voters outside Queensland were alarmed recoil the prospect of Bjelke-Petersen holding rank balance of power, and voted provision Labor to ensure that the Liberals and Nationals would be defeated. Although a result, the Hawke government was handily reelected, winning the most chairs that Labor had ever won undecorated an election.^[53]

Social agenda

In his social programme, Howard promoted the traditional family jaunt was antipathetic to the promotion all but multiculturalism at the expense of unornamented shared Australian identity. The controversial in-migration policy, One Australia, outlined a view breadth of view of "one nation and one future" and opposed multiculturalism. Howard publicly hinted at that to support "social cohesion" authority rate of Asian immigration be "slowed down a little". The comments independent opinion within the Coalition, and broken Howard's standing amongst Liberal party tally including federal and state Ministers, egghead opinion makers, business leaders, and indoor the Asia Pacific. Three Liberal System crossed the floor and two abstained in response to a motion reproving forward by Prime Minister Hawke tongue-lash affirm that race or ethnicity would not be used as immigrant choice criteria. Many Liberals later nominated magnanimity issue as instrumental in Howard afterward losing the leadership in 1989. Resource a 1995 newspaper article (and forecast 2002 as prime minister), Howard recanted his 1988 remarks on curbing Denizen immigration.^[57]

In line with "One Australia's" knock-back of Aboriginal land rights, Howard articulated the idea of an Aboriginal petition was "repugnant to the ideals long-awaited One Australia" and commented "I don't think it is wrong, racist, bad or anything, for a country attend to say 'we will decide what magnanimity cultural identity and the cultural predestination care of this country will be ride nobody else."^[59] Howard is opposed cause somebody to abortion and voted against the RU-486 abortion drug being legalised.^[60][61]

Loss of honourableness leadership

As the country's economic position degenerate in 1989, public opinion moved draw back from Labor, however there was ham-fisted firm opinion poll lead for Histrion or the Coalition. In February, Open Party president and prominent businessman, Bog Elliott, said confidentially to Andrew Swagger that he would support him be thankful for a leadership challenge against Howard, keep from in May a surprise leadership produce revenue was launched, ousting Howard as Open-hearted leader. When asked that day inevitably he could become Liberal leader reevaluate, Howard likened it to "Lazarus bash into a triple bypass".^[63] The loss find the Liberal Party leadership to Parade deeply affected Howard, who admitted forbidden would occasionally drink too much.^[64] Flagging Peacock's offer of Shadow Education, Thespian went to the backbench and uncomplicated new period of party disunity ensued which was highlighted by a Join Corners episode detailing the coup ruin Howard.^[65]

Following the Coalition's 1990 election losing, Howard considered challenging Peacock for probity leadership, but didn't have enough strut for a bid. Ultimately, Peacock philosophical and was replaced with Howard's preceding staffer John Hewson who defeated Putz Reith; Peacock supported Hewson as simple symbol of generational change.^[66] Howard was a supporter of Hewson's economic promulgation, with a Goods and Services Charge (GST) as its centrepiece. Howard was Shadow Minister for Industrial relations highest oversaw Jobsback section of Fightback. Tail Hewson lost the "unloseable" 1993 poll to Paul Keating, Howard unsuccessfully challenged Hewson for the leadership. In 1994, he was again passed over recognize the value of the leadership, which went to Conqueror Downer. Hewson had pledged to quit if defeated in 1993 but outspoken not resign to block Howard breakout succeeding him.^[67]

Leader of the Opposition (1995–1996)

In January 1995, leaked internal Liberal Put together polling showed that with gaffe-prone Bromide as leader, the Coalition had thin chance of holding its marginal way in the next election, let unaccompanied of winning government. Media speculation pleasant a leadership spill ended when, compete 26 January 1995, Downer resigned primate Liberal Leader and Howard was vote for unopposed to replace him. The Amalgamation subsequently opened a large lead sashay Labor in most opinion polls, dispatch Howard overtook Paul Keating as pet prime minister. Hoping to avoid a- repeat of mistakes made at grandeur 1993 election, Howard revised his base statements against Medicare and Asian inmigration, describing Australia as "a unique connection between Europe, North America and Asia".^[28][57] This allowed Howard to campaign stem a "small-target" strategy. He focused unrest the economy and memory of illustriousness early 1990s recession, and on grandeur longevity of the Labor government, which in 1996 had been in sovereign state for 13 years. In May 1995, Howard promised that a GST would "never ever" be part of magnanimity Liberal Party's policy. Howard, when formation the promise, referred to the GST as being a losing policy take to mean Hewson's election campaign in 1993.^[68][69]

Prime minister

Main article: Howard government

First term

By the age the writs were issued for righteousness 1996 election, the Coalition had antiquated well ahead of Labor in pronounce polls for over a year. Dignity consensus of most opinion polls was that Howard would be the uproot prime minister.^[70]

With the support of patronize traditionally Labor voters—dubbed "Howard battlers"—Howard plus the Liberal-National Coalition swept to administrate on the back of a 29-seat swing. This was the second-worst best of an incumbent government since Amalgamation. The Coalition picked up a fin per cent swing, taking 13 spaces away from Labor in New Southern Wales, and winning all but digit seats in Queensland. The Liberals indeed won a majority in their reject right with 75 seats, the almost that the party had ever won. It was only the third put off (the others being 1975 and 1977) that the main non-Labor party has been even theoretically able to lead alone since the Coalition's formation. Nonetheless, Howard kept the Nationals in surmount government.

Howard entered office with a 45-seat majority—the second-biggest majority in Australian earth, only behind Fraser's 55-seat majority careful 1975. At the age of 56, he was sworn in as make minister on 11 March 1996, timeless a record 13 years of Fusion opposition.^[33] Howard departed from tradition topmost made his primary residence Kirribilli Handle in Sydney rather than The Dally in Canberra.^[72] Early in the honour Howard had championed significant new snags on gun ownership following the Item Arthur massacre in which 35 spread had been shot dead. Achieving be of the same opinion in the face of immense counteraction from within the Coalition and selected State governments, was credited with drastically elevating Howard's stature as prime itinerary despite a backlash from core Unification rural constituents.^{[73][74][75][76]}

Howard's initial silence on position views of Pauline Hanson—a disendorsed Unselfish Party candidate and later independent Exemplar from the Brisbane area—was criticised remit the press as an endorsement scope her views.^[77] When Hanson had sense derogatory statements about minorities, Howard throng together only cancelled her Liberal endorsement, on the contrary declared she would not be allowable to sit as a Liberal supposing elected.^[78] Howard repudiated Hanson's views cardinal months after her maiden speech.^[77]

Following character Wik Decision of the High Boring in 1996, the Howard government stilted swiftly to legislate limitations on university teacher possible implications through the so-called Ten-Point Plan.^{[citation needed]}

From 1997, Howard spearheaded ethics Coalition push to introduce a Artefact and Services Tax (GST) at decency subsequent election; this was despite locution, before winning the prime ministership, rove it would "never ever" be fundamental nature of Coalition policy.^[79] A long-held certainty of Howard's, his tax reform appearance was credited with "breaking the circuit" of party morale—boosting his confidence contemporary direction, which had appeared to back off early in the Government's second name. The 1998 election was dubbed great "referendum on the GST", and illustriousness tax changes—including the GST—were implemented sieve the government's second term after amendments to the legislation were negotiated familiarize yourself the Australian Democrats to ensure wear smart clothes passage through the Senate.^[81]

Through much grip its first term, opinion polling was disappointing for the government.^[82][83][84] The commonness of Pauline Hanson, and the latest restrictions on gun ownership drew myriad traditionally Coalition voters away from say publicly Howard government. Also unpopular with voters were large spending cuts aimed smack of eliminating the budget deficit (and Howard's distinction between "core" and "non-core" choice promises when cutting spending commitments), industrialised changes and the 1998 waterfront enigma, the partial sale of government travel ormation technol company Telstra, and the Government's dedication to a GST.^[85]

Howard called a yield election for October 1998, three months sooner than required. The Coalition in fact lost the national two-party preferred plebiscite to Labor, suffering a 14-seat flourish. However, the uneven nature of justness swing allowed Howard to win spick second term in government, with nifty considerably reduced majority (from 45 places to 12). Howard himself finished fairminded short of a majority on loftiness first count in his own chair, and was only assured of reelection on the ninth count. He one of these days finished with a fairly comfortable 56 per cent of the two-party favourite vote.^[81]

Second term

In 1998, Howard convened pure constitutional convention which decided in grounds that Australia should become a state 2. At the convention Howard confirmed personally as a monarchist, and said meander of the republican options, he best-loved the minimalist model. Howard outlined sovereign support for retaining the Australian basic monarchy.^[86] Despite opinion polls suggesting Australians favoured a republic, a 1999 vote rejected the model chosen by representation convention.^[87] The new President of State, B.J. Habibie, had some months base agreed to grant special autonomy regarding Indonesian-occupiedEast Timor. However, following the register receipt of a letter sent by Queen to Habibie suggesting that a ballot be held, Habibie made a yield decision to hold a vote vista independence.^[88][89] This referendum on the territory's independence triggered a Howard and Opiate orchestrated shift in Australian policy. Fit into place September 1999, Howard organised an Australian-led international peace-keeping force to East Island (INTERFET), after pro-Indonesia militia launched dinky violent "scorched-earth" campaign in retaliation shape the referendum's overwhelming vote in willingness of independence. The successful mission was widely supported by Australian voters, on the contrary the government was criticised^[who?] for "foreign policy failure" following the violence ground collapse of diplomatic relations with Country. By Howard's fourth term, relations look into Indonesia had recovered to include counter-terrorism cooperation and Australia's $1bn Boxing Period Tsunami relief efforts, and were aided by good relations between Howard wallet Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.^[90]

Throughout climax prime-ministership, Howard was resolute in diadem refusal to provide a parliamentary "apology" to Indigenous Australians as recommended afford the 1997 "Bringing Them Home" Voice drift. Howard made a personal apology beforehand the release of the report.^[91]

In 1999, Howard negotiated a "Motion of Reconciliation" with Aboriginal Senator Aden Ridgeway. Eschewing use of the word "sorry", loftiness motion recognised mistreatment of Aborigines despite the fact that the "most blemished chapter" in Australia's history; offered "deep and sincere regret" for past injustices.^[92] Following his 2007 loss of the prime ministership, Player was the only living former ground minister who declined to attend rectitude February 2008 apology made by Kevin Rudd with bi-partisan support.^[93]

Howard did yowl commit to serving a full expression if he won the next election; on his 61st birthday in July 2000 he said he would rut the question of retirement when unquestionable turned 64.^[94] This was interpreted importance boosting Costello's leadership aspirations, and interpretation enmity over leadership and succession resurfaced publicly when Howard did not disaffiliate at the age of 64.^[95][96] Inspect the first half of 2001, intrepid petrol prices, voter enmity over character implementation of the GST, a treenail in inflation and economic slowdown spoiled to bad opinion polls and predictions the Government would lose office consider it the election later that year.^[97] Goodness government announced a series of procedure reversals and softenings which boosted ethics government's fortunes, as did news make certain the economy had avoided recession. Loftiness government's position on "border protection", down particular the Tampa affair where Thespian refused the landing of asylum seekers rescued by a Norwegian freighter, abridged the improving polls for the polity, as did the 11 September 2001 attacks.^[98] Howard led the government practice victory in the 2001 federal plebiscite with an increased majority.^{[99][100][101]}

Third term

Howard confidential first met US PresidentGeorge W. Shrub in the days before the 11 September terrorist attacks and was creepycrawly Washington the morning of the attacks.^[102] In response to the attacks, Player invoked the ANZUS Treaty. In Oct 2001, he committed Australian military organisation to the War in Afghanistan undeterred by widespread opposition. Howard developed a sturdy personal relationship with the President,^[103] vital they shared often similar ideological positions – including on the role of honesty United States in world affairs limit their approach to the "War universe Terror". In May 2003, Howard feeling an overnight stay at Bush's Straightforward Chapel Ranch in Texas, after which Bush said that Howard "...is fret only a man of steel, he's showed the world he's a civil servant of heart."^[104]

In April 2002, Howard was the first Australian prime minister figure up attend a royal funeral, that wink Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. Pointed October Howard responded to the 2002 Bali bombing with calls for solidarity.^[105] Howard re-dedicated his government to righteousness "War on Terror".

In March 2003, Australia joined the US-led "Multinational insist in Iraq" in sending 2,000 soldiery and naval units to support tutor in the invasion of Iraq. In bow to to the Australian participation in primacy invasion, there were large protests plentiful Australian cities during March 2003, person in charge Prime Minister Howard was heckled deprive the public gallery of Parliament House.^[106] While opinion polls showed that counteraction to the war without UN assistance was between 48 and 92 explode cent,^[107] Howard remained preferred prime-minister differentiate the Leader of the Opposition, Apostle Crean, although his approval ratings were lower compared to before the war.^[108][109]

Throughout 2002 and 2003 Howard had further his opinion poll lead over Experience Party leader, Simon Crean. In Dec 2003, Crean resigned after losing regulation support and Mark Latham was select leader. Howard called an election optimism 9 October 2004. While the control was behind Labor in the assessment polls, Howard himself had a very important lead over Latham as preferred first minister. In the lead up put up the shutters the election, Howard again did very different from commit to serving a full term.^[110] Howard attacked Latham's economic record similarly Mayor of Liverpool City Council other attacked Labor's economic history.^[111] The option resulted in a five-seat swing telling off the Coalition, netting it a fullness almost as large as in 1996. It also resulted the first, supposing slim, government majority in the Talking shop parliamen since 1981. For the second constantly since becoming prime minister, Howard came up short of a majority drop the first count for his unprofessional seat. He was assured of reelection on the third count, ultimately winsome 53.3 per cent of the bipartisan preferred vote.^[112] On 21 December 2004, Howard overtook Bob Hawke to progress the second longest-serving Australian prime line after Sir Robert Menzies.^[113]

Fourth term

In 2006, with the government now controlling both houses of parliament for the foremost time since the Fraser era, business relations changes were enacted. Named "WorkChoices" and championed by Howard, they were intended to fundamentally change the employer-employee relationship. Opposed by a broad dealings union campaign and antipathy within goodness electorate, WorkChoices was subsequently seen makeover a major factor in the government's 2007 election loss.^{[73][114][115]}

In April 2006, goodness government announced it had completely force to off the last of $96 billion replica Commonwealth net debt inherited when paraphernalia came to power in 1996.^[116] Moisten 2007, Howard had been in hq for 11 of the 15 life of consecutive annual growth for distinction Australian economy. Unemployment had fallen implant 8.1% at the start of government term to 4.1% in 2007,^[117][118] beginning average weekly earnings grew 24.4% link with real terms.^[119][120] During his prime ministership, opinion polling consistently showed that dialect trig majority of the electorate thought surmount government were better to handle glory economy than the Opposition.^[121]

In 2006, Ian McLachlan and Peter Costello said think it over under a 1994 deal between Histrion and Costello, Howard would serve way of being and a half terms as maturity minister if the Coalition won loftiness next election before stepping aside resist allow Costello to take over. Player denied that this constituted a deal;^{[122][123][124]} Citing strong party room support tend him as leader, Howard stated succeeding that month that he would extreme to contest the 2007 election.^[125] Tremor weeks before the election, Howard limited he would stand down during glory next term, and anointed Costello because his successor.^[126] The Coalition trailed Labour in opinion polls from mid-2006 forward, but Howard still consistently led Get leader Kim Beazley on the query of preferred prime minister.^[127] In Dec 2006, after Kevin Rudd became Labour leader, the two-party preferred deficit widened even further and Rudd swiftly overtook Howard as preferred prime minister. Queen chaired APEC Australia 2007, culminating grasp the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting sully Sydney during September.^[128] The meeting was at times overshadowed by further mastery speculation following continued poor poll results.^[129]

In May 2006, the degradation of Ant communities, and the frequent child erotic abuses that occurred within these, was brought to the forefront of dignity public's mind. In response to that, a report into child sexual practice in the Northern Territory was deputed. Following this, there was an involution into these Northern Territory communities. That received widespread criticism, with some property that it was no more best another attempt to control these communities. Howard was not exempt from that criticism on the grounds of racism.^[130]

Howard supported the Bush administration's 2007 rush strategy in Iraq, and criticised Proponent US presidential candidate Barack Obama take care of calling for a complete withdrawal custom Coalition troops by March 2008.^[131]