Political conservatism has grown in [[Australia]]. John Howard, who became prime minister in 1996, was the first holder of the office to describe himself as a conservative.<ref>Graeme Davison et al. eds., The Oxford Companion to Australian History (2nd ed. 2001) p 148</ref> | Political conservatism has grown in [[Australia]]. John Howard, who became prime minister in 1996, was the first holder of the office to describe himself as a conservative.<ref>Graeme Davison et al. eds., The Oxford Companion to Australian History (2nd ed. 2001) p 148</ref> |