In the March 1996 Federal elections, John Howard’s Liberal-National Party came into power, through a majority of its members in the House of Representatives. The Liberal Party, under his leadership, promised to reduce the heavy debt that the government has accumulated.
When Howard became Prime Minister, he worked on a number of policies including:
A government legislation restricting indigenous’ people’s access to leasehold lands and authenticate leaseholder title.
A legislation replacing industry-wide agreements on work conditions and wages with agreements between employers and individual workers.
The ‘work for dole’ scheme which linked a recipient’s willingness to work and his unemployment relief.
The establishment of a part-elected, part-appointed convention on the subject of Australia being converted to a republic. The body then submitted a referendum about the subject in November of 1999. The referendum, however, together with a proposal to add a Preamble to the country’s constitution, was not approved.
Environmental protection funding by privatizing Telstra, a communications corporation partially owned by the government. In June 1999, the Senate approved the sale of 49.9% of the said company.
Taxation system reform via the introduction of consumption tax, also known as GST or ‘Goods and Services’ Tax. This legislation was then accepted by the senate in June of 1999.
A focus on regional and domestic security which included an increased funding for aviation, border security, maritime security and intelligence agencies.
Free trade agreement negotiations with the U.S. I 2004, as well as the pursuit of a more close economic agreement with Asia Pacific countries.
Establishment of government bodies to work on resolving the problem of prolonged and severe drought in the country.
Howard’s position as Prime Minister ended in the election of November 2007, when the Labor Party (under the leadership of Kevin Rudd) defeated Howard’s Coalition.