Changes

Howard's age (68 years) during the lead-up to the November 2007 election was said by the Labor Party to be an issue, which in retrospect appears youthful compared to [[US]] [[Republican]] nominee [[John McCain]] who was 72 at the US' [[2008 Presidential Election]].

Howard's age (68 years) during the lead-up to the November 2007 election was said by the Labor Party to be an issue, which in retrospect appears youthful compared to [[US]] [[Republican]] nominee [[John McCain]] who was 72 at the US' [[2008 Presidential Election]].

=== Gun control ===

=== Gun control ===

In 1997, following a gun massacre the previous year, Howard introduces strict gun control laws and a buy-back scheme where gun owners could sell their firearms back to the government. This was at the expense of tax-payers and thousands of weapons were destroyed, however the reforms eventually proved a success as there have been no mass shootings since and significant reductions in gun crime.

In 1997, following a gun massacre the previous year, Howard introduced strict gun control laws and a buy-back scheme where gun owners could sell their firearms back to the government. This was at the expense of tax-payers and thousands of weapons were destroyed, however the reforms eventually proved a success as there have been no mass shootings since and significant reductions in gun crime.

== Political demise ==

== Political demise ==