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 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.

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 taxpayers and thousands of weapons were destroyed, and the [[tyranny]] simply made the people more dependent on government without reducing overall crime rates.

== Political demise ==

== Political demise ==

Howard tried to win a fifth term in office at the federal election held on 24 November 2007.  He had pledged to resign late into his next term if he was re-elected, and hand over office to his government's Treasurer [[Peter Costello]]. In practice, the choice of successor would be made by a vote of all the Liberal Party's Members of Parliament (MP).

Howard tried to win a fifth term in office at the federal election held on November 24, 2007.  He had pledged to resign late into his next term if he was re-elected, and hand over office to his government's Treasurer [[Peter Costello]]. In practice, the choice of successor would be made by a vote of all the Liberal Party's Members of Parliament (MP).

As well as losing the election to the ALP, Howard also lost in his own parliamentary electorate in a very close result against former [[ABC]] journalist, Maxine McKew, who stood against him for the ALP. This made him only the second Prime Minister in Australia's history (after [[Stanley Bruce]]) to lose his seat.

As well as losing the election to the ALP, Howard also lost in his own parliamentary electorate in a very close result against former [[ABC]] journalist, Maxine McKew, who stood against him for the ALP. This made him only the second Prime Minister in Australia's history (after [[Stanley Bruce]]) to lose his seat.