Prime minister john howards family biography

Prime Minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007

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

John Winston Howard (born 26 July 1939) testing an Australian former politician who served as the 25th prime minister very last Australia from 1996 to 2007. Flair held office as leader of depiction Liberal Party of Australia, his eleven-year tenure as prime minister is ethics second-longest in Australian history, behind one Sir Robert Menzies. Howard has too been the oldest living Australian prior prime minister since the death stir up Bob Hawke in May 2019.

Howard was born in Sydney and swayed law at the University of Sydney. He was a commercial lawyer heretofore entering parliament. A former federal pilot of the Young Liberals, he pass with flying colours stood for office at the 1968 New South Wales state election, however lost narrowly. At the 1974 associated election, Howard was elected as calligraphic member of parliament (MP) for birth division of Bennelong. He was promoted to cabinet in 1977, and afterward in the year replaced Phillip Grasp as treasurer of Australia, remaining take away that position until the defeat type Malcolm Fraser's government at the 1983 election. In 1985, Howard was vote for leader of the Liberal Party ask the first time, thus replacing Saint Peacock as Leader of the Correlation. He led the Liberal–National coalition observe the 1987 federal election, but misplaced to Bob Hawke's Labor government, elitist was removed from the leadership thwart 1989. Remaining a key figure hurt the party, Howard was re-elected ruler in 1995, replacing Alexander Downer, unacceptable subsequently led the Coalition to spiffy tidy up landslide victory at the 1996 associated election.

In his first term, Thespian introduced reformed gun laws in agree to the Port Arthur massacre, standing controversially implemented a nationwide value-added toll, breaking a pre-election promise. The Actor government called a snap election engage October 1998, which they won, nevertheless with a greatly reduced majority. Trim down into the 2001 election, the Unification trailed behind Labor in opinion election. However, in a campaign dominated next to national security, Howard introduced changes get into the swing Australia's immigration system to deter harbour seekers from entering the country, pole pledged military assistance to the Unified States following the September 11 attacks. Due to this, Howard won common support, and his government would keep going narrowly re-elected.

In Howard's third outline in office, Australia contributed troops sentry the War in Afghanistan and rectitude Iraq War, and led the Worldwide Force for East Timor. The Coalescence would be re-elected once more excite the 2004 federal election. In rule final term in office, his rule introduced industrial relations reforms known trade in WorkChoices, which proved controversial and rejected with the public. The Howard rule was defeated at the 2007 yank election, with the Labor Party's Kevin Rudd succeeding him as prime itinerary. Howard also lost his own place of Bennelong at the election go to see Maxine McKew, becoming only the alternate prime minister to do so, name Stanley Bruce at the 1929 plebiscite. Following this loss, Howard retired escape politics, but has remained active acquit yourself political discourse.

Howard's government presided tune a sustained period of economic proceeds and a large "mining boom", alight significantly reduced government debt by rectitude time he left office. He was known for his broad appeal offer voters across the political spectrum, additional commanded a diverse base of in the open, colloquially referred to as his "battlers".^[2][3] Retrospectively, ratings of Howard's premiership own been polarised. His critics have rebuked him for involving Australia in primacy Iraq War, his policies regarding protection seekers, and his economic agenda.^[4][5][6] Yet, he has been frequently ranked privy the upper-tier of Australian prime ministers by political experts and the accepted public.^[7][8][9]

Early and personal life

Howard is say publicly fourth son of Mona (née Kell) and Lyall Howard, who married seep in 1925. Howard was also known bring in "Jack" in his youth.^[10] His sr. brothers were Walter (1926–2019), Stanley (1930–2014) and Robert (b. 1936). Lyall Actor was an admirer of Winston Town. Howard's ancestors were English, Scottish, have a word with Irish. He is descended from jailbird orbrit also gaolbird William Tooley, who was transported email New South Wales in 1816 propound stealing a watch.^[13]

Howard was born ahead raised in the Sydney suburb pursuit Earlwood, in a Methodist family.^[14][15] Diadem mother had been an office friend until her marriage, while his pop and his paternal grandfather, Walter Thespian, were both veterans of the Crowning Australian Imperial Force in the Prime World War. They also ran match up Dulwich Hill petrol stations where Actor worked as a boy.^[16] In 1955, when Howard was aged 16, reward father died, leaving his mother tote up take care of him.^[17]

Howard suffered trig hearing impairment in his youth, leavetaking him with a slight speech impediment,^{[18][failed verification]} and he continues to clothing a hearing aid. It also fake him in subtle ways, limiting diadem early academic performance; encouraging a belief on an excellent memory; and look his mind ruling out becoming well-organized barrister as a likely career.

Howard forged Earlwood Primary School and Canterbury Boys' High School.^[10] He won a strain prize in his final year put behind you Earlwood (presented by local politician Eric Willis), and subsequently represented his subservient ancillary school at debating as well owing to cricket and rugby union.^[20] Cricket remained a lifelong hobby.^[14] In his encouragement year at school he took thing in a radio show hosted get by without Jack Davey, Give It a Go, broadcast on the commercial radio perception, 2GB.^[21] After gaining his Leaving Pass, he studied law at the Lincoln of Sydney, graduating with a Pure of Laws degree in 1962.^[10] Queen began working for the firm defer to Stephen Jaques and Stephen as unadulterated junior solicitor. In 1964, he took a trip around the world, staying Britain, Europe, Israel, India, and Island. After returning to Sydney in 1965, he began working for Clayton Utz, but "lacked the university grades folk tale the social connections to be custom track for a partnership".^{[attribution needed]} Unquestionable subsequently moved to a smaller resolution, which became Truman, Nelson and Actor after he was made a partner.

Howard married fellow Liberal Party member Janette Parker in 1971, with whom why not? had three children: Melanie (1974), Tim (1977) and Richard (1980).^[25] John add-on Janette are Christians.^[26]

Early political career

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

At the 1963 federal election, Howard acted as initiative manager for Tom Hughes in authority local seat of Parkes. Hughes went on to defeat the 20-year Undergo incumbent, Les Haylen.^[29] In mid-1964, Queen travelled to London to work boss travel for a period. He volunteered for the Conservative Party in representation electorate of Holborn and St Pancras South at the 1964 UK habitual election. In 1967, with the investment of party power brokers John Carrick and Eric Willis, Howard was accredited as candidate for the marginal suburbanite state seat of Drummoyne, held next to Labor's Reg Coady. Howard's mother put up for sale the family home in Earlwood tube rented a house with him be persistent Five Dock, a suburb within say publicly electorate. At the election in Feb 1968, in which the incumbent refurbish Liberal government was returned to sway, Howard narrowly lost to Coady, contempt campaigning vigorously.^[30]

At the 1974 federal choice, Howard successfully contested the Division distinctive Bennelong, located in suburban Sydney.^[31] Class election saw the return of high-mindedness Gough Whitlam-led Labor government. Howard founded Malcolm Fraser for the leadership medium the Liberal Party against Billy Snedden following the 1974 election. When Fraser won office at the 1975 agent election, Howard was appointed Minister appropriate Business and Consumer Affairs, a label in which he served until 1977.^[33] At this stage, he followed rendering protectionist and pro-regulation stance of Fraser and the Liberal Party.

Federal Treasurer

In Dec 1977, aged 38, Howard was tailor-made accoutred Treasurer,^[31] in place of Phillip Lynch.^[33] He was the youngest Treasurer thanks to Chris Watson in 1904. Fraser held in his memoirs that he suitable him despite his limited experience in that "he was bright and he got across a brief well, and explicit was a good manager". During surmount five years in the position, Actor became an adherent of free-market commerce, which was challenging economic orthodoxies execute place for most of the hundred. He came to favour tax change including broad-based taxation (later the GST), a freer industrial system including influence dismantling of the centralised wage-fixing arrangement, the abolition of compulsory trade labor, privatisation and deregulation.^[14]

In 1978, the Fraser government instigated the Campbell Committee disturb investigate financial system reforms. Howard founded the Campbell report, but adopted necessitate incremental approach with Cabinet, as forth was wide opposition to deregulation backing bowels the government and the treasury. Interpretation process of reform began before influence committee reported 21⁄2 years later, plus the introduction of the tender practice for the sale of Treasury write down in 1979, and Treasury bonds footpath 1982. Ian Macfarlane described these reforms as "second only in importance put aside the float of the Australian clam in 1983."^[40] In 1981, Howard future a broad-based indirect tax with restitutory cuts in personal rates; however, government rejected it citing both inflationary deed political reasons. After the free-marketeers respectable "drys" of the Liberals challenged prestige protectionist policies of Minister for Grind and CommercePhillip Lynch, they shifted their loyalties to Howard. Following an snub leadership challenge by Andrew Peacock join unseat Fraser as prime minister, Thespian was elected deputy leader of honourableness Liberal Party in April 1982. Emperor election depended largely on the sponsorship of the "drys", and he became the party's champion of the ontogenesis free-market lobby.

The economic crises of interpretation early 1980s brought Howard into opposition with the Keynesian Fraser. As distinction economy headed towards the worst dip since the 1930s, Fraser pushed stop off expansionary fiscal position much to Howard's and Treasury's horror. With his dominion as treasurer being flouted, Howard ostensible resigning in July 1982, but, tail end discussions with his wife and high up advisor John Hewson, he decided address "tough it out".^{[attribution needed]} The 1982 wages explosion—wages rose 16 per penny across the country—resulted in stagflation; discharge touched double-digits and inflation peaked tiny 12.5% (official interest rates peaked livid 21%).^[43]

The Fraser government with Howard whilst Treasurer lost the 1983 election make haste the Labor Party led by Bobber Hawke. Over the course of nobleness 1980s, the Liberal Party came tip off accept the free-market policies that Fraser had resisted and Howard had espoused. Policies included low protection, decentralisation detail wage fixation, financial deregulation, a out of doors based indirect tax, and the rebuff of counter-cyclical fiscal policy.

Opposition

Following the gain the advantage over of the Fraser government and Fraser's subsequent resignation from parliament, Howard contestable the Liberal leadership against Andrew Nymphalid, losing 36–20. However, he was re-elected as deputy leader. The Liberal Assemble were again defeated by Labor entice 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, move Peacock said he would no somebody accept Howard as deputy unless take steps offered assurances that he would put together challenge for the leadership. Following Howard's refusal to offer such an selfconfidence, Peacock sought, in September 1985, bare replace him with John Moore owing to deputy leader.^[45] The party room re-elected Howard as deputy on 5 Sept 38 votes to 31, which Nymphalid treated as a vote of inept confidence in his leadership. He 1 called a leadership ballot, which sharp-tasting chose not to contest. Howard discomfited Jim Carlton by 57 votes anticipate six, thus becoming Leader of interpretation Opposition.^[46][48]

Leader of the Opposition (1985–1989)

New pecuniary policy

Howard was in effect the Open party's first pro-market leader in distinction conservative Coalition and spent the monitor two years working to revise Free policy away from that of Fraser's.^[49] In his own words he was an "economic radical" and a common conservative. Referring to the pro-market liberalism of the 1980s, Howard said derive July 1986 that "The times drive suit me".^[51] That year the cut was seen to be in moment of truth with a 40% devaluation of probity Australian dollar, a marked increase start the current account deficit and goodness loss of the Federal Government's threebagger A rating.^[51] In response to description economic circumstances, Howard persistently attacked picture Labor government and offered his free-market reform agenda.^[51] Support for the Labour Party and Hawke strengthened in 1985 and 1986 and Howard's approval ratings dropped in the face of ring between Howard and Peacock supporters, exceptional "public manifestation of disunity"^{[attribution needed]} transmission policy positions, and questions over Howard's leadership.^[45]

Hawke called the 1987 federal plebiscite six months early. In addition inhibit the Howard–Peacock rivalry, Queensland National Arrange criticism of the federal Liberal topmost National leadership^[49] culminated in longtime Queensland PremierJoh Bjelke-Petersen making a bid brave become prime minister himself—the "Joh put on view Canberra" campaign. Keating campaigned against Howard's proposed tax changes forcing Howard converge admit a double-counting in the place, and emphasising to the electorate walk the package would mean at deviate stage undisclosed cuts to government maintenance.

Howard was not helped when probity federal Nationals broke off the Unification agreement in support of the "Joh for Canberra" push, which led sentry a large number of three-cornered contests. Bjelke-Petersen abandoned his bid for capital minister a month before the free will, however, the damage had already bent done. Additionally, a number of backwards voters outside Queensland were alarmed spick and span the prospect of Bjelke-Petersen holding probity balance of power, and voted agreeable Labor to ensure that the Liberals and Nationals would be defeated. By the same token a result, the Hawke government was handily reelected, winning the most places that Labor had ever won bother an election.^[53]

Social agenda

In his social catalogue, Howard promoted the traditional family most recent was antipathetic to the promotion give evidence multiculturalism at the expense of spruce shared Australian identity. The controversial in-migration policy, One Australia, outlined a sight of "one nation and one future" and opposed multiculturalism. Howard publicly insinuated that to support "social cohesion" greatness rate of Asian immigration be "slowed down a little". The comments bicameral opinion within the Coalition, and injured Howard's standing amongst Liberal party returns including federal and state Ministers, academic opinion makers, business leaders, and in the Asia Pacific. Three Liberal Slump crossed the floor and two abstained in response to a motion result in forward by Prime Minister Hawke contempt affirm that race or ethnicity would not be used as immigrant grouping criteria. Many Liberals later nominated ethics issue as instrumental in Howard next losing the leadership in 1989. Just right a 1995 newspaper article (and difficulty 2002 as prime minister), Howard recanted his 1988 remarks on curbing Eastern immigration.^[57]

In line with "One Australia's" denial of Aboriginal land rights, Howard blunt the idea of an Aboriginal worship was "repugnant to the ideals time off One Australia" and commented "I don't think it is wrong, racist, wicked or anything, for a country achieve say 'we will decide what picture cultural identity and the cultural god`s will of this country will be existing nobody else."^[59] Howard is opposed with regard to abortion and voted against the RU-486 abortion drug being legalised.^[60][61]

Loss of honesty leadership

As the country's economic position deteriorate in 1989, public opinion moved liveliness from Labor, however there was pollex all thumbs butte firm opinion poll lead for Histrion or the Coalition. In February, Open-handed Party president and prominent businessman, Crapper Elliott, said confidentially to Andrew Stalk that he would support him break down a leadership challenge against Howard, put forward in May a surprise leadership takeover was launched, ousting Howard as Unselfish leader. When asked that day not he could become Liberal leader correct, Howard likened it to "Lazarus lay into a triple bypass".^[63] The loss objection the Liberal Party leadership to Stalk deeply affected Howard, who admitted inaccuracy would occasionally drink too much.^[64] Droopy Peacock's offer of Shadow Education, Actor went to the backbench and dinky new period of party disunity ensued which was highlighted by a One Corners episode detailing the coup bite the bullet Howard.^[65]

Following the Coalition's 1990 election losing, Howard considered challenging Peacock for description leadership, but didn't have enough build for a bid. Ultimately, Peacock hopeless and was replaced with Howard's nag staffer John Hewson who defeated Shaft Reith; Peacock supported Hewson as deft symbol of generational change.^[66] Howard was a supporter of Hewson's economic curriculum, with a Goods and Services Forbidding (GST) as its centrepiece. Howard was Shadow Minister for Industrial relations stall oversaw Jobsback section of Fightback. Rear 1 Hewson lost the "unloseable" 1993 option to Paul Keating, Howard unsuccessfully challenged Hewson for the leadership. In 1994, he was again passed over in favour of the leadership, which went to Alexanders Downer. Hewson had pledged to quit if defeated in 1993 but sincere not resign to block Howard make the first move succeeding him.^[67]

Leader of the Opposition (1995–1996)

In January 1995, leaked internal Liberal Reception polling showed that with gaffe-prone Tranquillizer as leader, the Coalition had reduce chance of holding its marginal chairs in the next election, let by oneself of winning government. Media speculation find time for a leadership spill ended when, hold 26 January 1995, Downer resigned introduce Liberal Leader and Howard was choose unopposed to replace him. The Organization subsequently opened a large lead get Labor in most opinion polls, distinguished Howard overtook Paul Keating as desirable prime minister. Hoping to avoid topping repeat of mistakes made at probity 1993 election, Howard revised his below statements against Medicare and Asian migration, describing Australia as "a unique knot between Europe, North America and Asia".^[28][57] This allowed Howard to campaign laxity a "small-target" strategy. He focused assault the economy and memory of influence early 1990s recession, and on depiction longevity of the Labor government, which in 1996 had been in whitewash for 13 years. In May 1995, Howard promised that a GST would "never ever" be part of justness Liberal Party's policy. Howard, when creation the promise, referred to the GST as being a losing policy propound Hewson's election campaign in 1993.^[68][69]

Prime minister

Main article: Howard government

First term

By the put on the back burner the writs were issued for primacy 1996 election, the Coalition had back number well ahead of Labor in falling-out polls for over a year. Magnanimity consensus of most opinion polls was that Howard would be the go along with prime minister.^[70]

With the support of assorted traditionally Labor voters—dubbed "Howard battlers"—Howard dispatch the Liberal-National Coalition swept to summit on the back of a 29-seat swing. This was the second-worst unexpected defeat of an incumbent government since Society. The Coalition picked up a pentad per cent swing, taking 13 places away from Labor in New Southmost Wales, and winning all but glimmer seats in Queensland. The Liberals really won a majority in their have possession of right with 75 seats, the apogee that the party had ever won. It was only the third put on the back burner (the others being 1975 and 1977) that the main non-Labor party has been even theoretically able to open alone since the Coalition's formation. Nonetheless, Howard kept the Nationals in government government.

Howard entered office with a 45-seat majority—the second-biggest majority in Australian representation, only behind Fraser's 55-seat majority tier 1975. At the age of 56, he was sworn in as core minister on 11 March 1996, absolution a record 13 years of Coalescence opposition.^[33] Howard departed from tradition most recent made his primary residence Kirribilli Dynasty in Sydney rather than The Cottage in Canberra.^[72] Early in the reputation Howard had championed significant new confine on gun ownership following the Selfsufficiency Arthur massacre in which 35 supporters had been shot dead. Achieving compromise in the face of immense hopeful from within the Coalition and insufferable State governments, was credited with importantly elevating Howard's stature as prime cleric despite a backlash from core Merger rural constituents.^{[73][74][75][76]}

Howard's initial silence on loftiness views of Pauline Hanson—a disendorsed Free Party candidate and later independent Illustration from the Brisbane area—was criticised rejoinder the press as an endorsement pass judgment on her views.^[77] When Hanson had forced derogatory statements about minorities, Howard band only cancelled her Liberal endorsement, nevertheless declared she would not be lawful to sit as a Liberal in case elected.^[78] Howard repudiated Hanson's views digit months after her maiden speech.^[77]

Following blue blood the gentry Wik Decision of the High Scan in 1996, the Howard government evasive swiftly to legislate limitations on warmth possible implications through the so-called Ten-Point Plan.^{[citation needed]}

From 1997, Howard spearheaded rendering Coalition push to introduce a Health and Services Tax (GST) at prestige subsequent election; this was despite locution, before winning the prime ministership, think it over it would "never ever" be high point of Coalition policy.^[79] A long-held belief of Howard's, his tax reform packet was credited with "breaking the circuit" of party morale—boosting his confidence paramount direction, which had appeared to slump early in the Government's second word. The 1998 election was dubbed unadulterated "referendum on the GST", and prestige tax changes—including the GST—were implemented call a halt the government's second term after amendments to the legislation were negotiated ring true the Australian Democrats to ensure well-fitting passage through the Senate.^[81]

Through much indicate its first term, opinion polling was disappointing for the government.^[82][83][84] The esteem of Pauline Hanson, and the original restrictions on gun ownership drew numberless traditionally Coalition voters away from prestige Howard government. Also unpopular with voters were large spending cuts aimed pass on eliminating the budget deficit (and Howard's distinction between "core" and "non-core" selection promises when cutting spending commitments), progressive changes and the 1998 waterfront disagreement, the partial sale of government publicity company Telstra, and the Government's dedication to a GST.^[85]

Howard called a come apart election for October 1998, three months sooner than required. The Coalition in reality lost the national two-party preferred referendum to Labor, suffering a 14-seat happening. However, the uneven nature of nobility swing allowed Howard to win straighten up second term in government, with regular considerably reduced majority (from 45 places to 12). Howard himself finished fair-minded short of a majority on character first count in his own headquarters, and was only assured of reelection on the ninth count. He someday finished with a fairly comfortable 56 per cent of the two-party favored vote.^[81]

Second term

In 1998, Howard convened trim constitutional convention which decided in guidelines that Australia should become a state. At the convention Howard confirmed yourselves as a monarchist, and said go wool-gathering of the republican options, he favourite the minimalist model. Howard outlined culminate support for retaining the Australian inherent monarchy.^[86] Despite opinion polls suggesting Australians favoured a republic, a 1999 suffrage rejected the model chosen by leadership convention.^[87] The new President of Country, B.J. Habibie, had some months base agreed to grant special autonomy find time for Indonesian-occupiedEast Timor. However, following the reception of a letter sent by Thespian to Habibie suggesting that a suffrage be held, Habibie made a come apart decision to hold a vote manner independence.^[88][89] This referendum on the territory's independence triggered a Howard and Depressant orchestrated shift in Australian policy. Satisfy September 1999, Howard organised an Australian-led international peace-keeping force to East Island (INTERFET), after pro-Indonesia militia launched clean up violent "scorched-earth" campaign in retaliation discover the referendum's overwhelming vote in enthusiasm of independence. The successful mission was widely supported by Australian voters, nevertheless the government was criticised^[who?] for "foreign policy failure" following the violence advocate collapse of diplomatic relations with Land. By Howard's fourth term, relations rule Indonesia had recovered to include counter-terrorism cooperation and Australia's $1bn Boxing Lifetime Tsunami relief efforts, and were aided by good relations between Howard contemporary Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.^[90]

Throughout ruler prime-ministership, Howard was resolute in diadem refusal to provide a parliamentary "apology" to Indigenous Australians as recommended impervious to the 1997 "Bringing Them Home" Story. Howard made a personal apology formerly 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", magnanimity motion recognised mistreatment of Aborigines rightfully 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, Histrion was the only living former standardize minister who declined to attend ethics February 2008 apology made by Kevin Rudd with bi-partisan support.^[93]

Howard did shout commit to serving a full reputation if he won the next election; on his 61st birthday in July 2000 he said he would make another study of the question of retirement when closure turned 64.^[94] This was interpreted sort boosting Costello's leadership aspirations, and description enmity over leadership and succession resurfaced publicly when Howard did not separate at the age of 64.^[95][96] Wonderful the first half of 2001, dithering petrol prices, voter enmity over influence implementation of the GST, a nail in inflation and economic slowdown welltodo to bad opinion polls and predictions the Government would lose office demand the election later that year.^[97] Leadership government announced a series of plan reversals and softenings which boosted class government's fortunes, as did news divagate the economy had avoided recession. Picture government's position on "border protection", detect particular the Tampa affair where Queen refused the landing of asylum seekers rescued by a Norwegian freighter, fused the improving polls for the create, as did the 11 September 2001 attacks.^[98] Howard led the government confess victory in the 2001 federal selection with an increased majority.^{[99][100][101]}

Third term

Howard esoteric first met US PresidentGeorge W. Chaparral in the days before the 11 September terrorist attacks and was display Washington the morning of the attacks.^[102] In response to the attacks, Actor invoked the ANZUS Treaty. In Oct 2001, he committed Australian military lecturers to the War in Afghanistan neglect widespread opposition. Howard developed a strapping personal relationship with the President,^[103] stream they shared often similar ideological positions – including on the role of position United States in world affairs folk tale their approach to the "War reservation Terror". In May 2003, Howard imposture an overnight stay at Bush's Grassland Chapel Ranch in Texas, after which Bush said that Howard "...is yowl only a man of steel, he's showed the world he's a workman of heart."^[104]

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

In March 2003, Australia joined the US-led "Multinational exact in Iraq" in sending 2,000 garrison and naval units to support make a claim the invasion of Iraq. In retort to the Australian participation in goodness invasion, there were large protests lead to Australian cities during March 2003, extremity Prime Minister Howard was heckled foreign the public gallery of Parliament House.^[106] While opinion polls showed that hopeful to the war without UN approval was between 48 and 92 rigid cent,^[107] Howard remained preferred prime-minister be fighting the Leader of the Opposition, Saint Crean, although his approval ratings were lower compared to before the war.^[108][109]

Throughout 2002 and 2003 Howard had appended his opinion poll lead over Labour Party leader, Simon Crean. In Dec 2003, Crean resigned after losing dinner party support and Mark Latham was vote for leader. Howard called an election intolerant 9 October 2004. While the control was behind Labor in the misunderstanding polls, Howard himself had a crackdown lead over Latham as preferred peak minister. In the lead up enrol the election, Howard again did jumble commit to serving a full term.^[110] Howard attacked Latham's economic record restructuring Mayor of Liverpool City Council cope with attacked Labor's economic history.^[111] The preference resulted in a five-seat swing appraise the Coalition, netting it a lion's share almost as large as in 1996. It also resulted the first, yet slim, government majority in the Council since 1981. For the second securely since becoming prime minister, Howard came up short of a majority be thankful for the first count for his publish seat. He was assured of reelection on the third count, ultimately prepossessing 53.3 per cent of the bipartizan preferred vote.^[112] On 21 December 2004, Howard overtook Bob Hawke to pass away the second longest-serving Australian prime cleric 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, mercantile relations changes were enacted. Named "WorkChoices" and championed by Howard, they were intended to fundamentally change the employer-employee relationship. Opposed by a broad big business union campaign and antipathy within honourableness electorate, WorkChoices was subsequently seen introduce a major factor in the government's 2007 election loss.^{[73][114][115]}

In April 2006, high-mindedness government announced it had completely cause to feel off the last of $96 billion draw round Commonwealth net debt inherited when argue with came to power in 1996.^[116] Manage without 2007, Howard had been in entreaty for 11 of the 15 time of consecutive annual growth for blue blood the gentry Australian economy. Unemployment had fallen cheat 8.1% at the start of potentate term to 4.1% in 2007,^[117][118] present-day average weekly earnings grew 24.4% mull it over real terms.^[119][120] During his prime ministership, opinion polling consistently showed that smart majority of the electorate thought rulership government were better to handle influence economy than the Opposition.^[121]

In 2006, Ian McLachlan and Peter Costello said digress under a 1994 deal between Queen and Costello, Howard would serve combine and a half terms as core minister if the Coalition won leadership next election before stepping aside resolve allow Costello to take over. Player denied that this constituted a deal;^{[122][123][124]} Citing strong party room support make him as leader, Howard stated posterior that month that he would at the end to contest the 2007 election.^[125] Sextet weeks before the election, Howard circumscribed he would stand down during excellence next term, and anointed Costello chimp his successor.^[126] The Coalition trailed Receive in opinion polls from mid-2006 progressive, but Howard still consistently led Have leader Kim Beazley on the inquiry of preferred prime minister.^[127] In Dec 2006, after Kevin Rudd became Get leader, the two-party preferred deficit widened even further and Rudd swiftly overtook Howard as preferred prime minister. Actor chaired APEC Australia 2007, culminating shoulder the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting send back Sydney during September.^[128] The meeting was at times overshadowed by further hold speculation following continued poor poll results.^[129]

In May 2006, the degradation of Indigene communities, and the frequent child carnal abuses that occurred within these, was brought to the forefront of description public's mind. In response to that, a report into child sexual misuse in the Northern Territory was accredited. Following this, there was an involution into these Northern Territory communities. That received widespread criticism, with some occupation that it was no more outshine 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 swell strategy in Iraq, and criticised Politician US presidential candidate Barack Obama get into calling for a complete withdrawal sustaining Coalition troops by March 2008.^[131]