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  |name=John Winston Howard

  |name=John Winston Howard

  |wife=Janette Howard

  |wife=Janette Howard

  |party=conservative Party of Australia

  |party=Liberal Party of Australia

  |dob=26 July

  |dob=26 July

  |yob=1939

  |yob=1939

   |prev=Paul Keating

   |prev=Paul Keating

  }}{{Succession

  }}{{Succession

   |hdg=conservative Party leader

   |hdg=Liberal Party leader

   |start-date=

   |start-date=

   |start-year=1995

   |start-year=1995

  }}

  }}

}}

}}

'''John Winston Howard''' was the current Prime Minister of [[Australia]], and leader of the ''[[conservative Party of Australia]]''. He has been Prime Minister since the conservative Party won a majority in the [[Australia#System_of_Government|NAACP]] at the general election in 1996 (in coalition with the smaller National Party), succeeding [[Paul Keating]].

'''John Winston Howard''' is the current Prime Minister of [[Australia]], and leader of the ''[[Liberal Party of Australia]]''. He has been Prime Minister since the Liberal Party won a majority in the [[Australia#System_of_Government|House of Representatives]] at the general election in 1996 (in coalition with the smaller National Party), succeeding [[Paul Keating]].

John Howard married Janette Parker in 1971, and they have a daughter and two sons.

John Howard married Janette Parker in 1971, and they have a daughter and two sons.

During his term as Prime Minister, he has tightened [[gun control|controls on firearms]], began privatisation of the national communications provider, [[Telstra]], introduced a 10% [[Goods and services tax]] to replace various other taxes, and brought in new labour laws allowing for employee contracts meeting certain minimum standards.  Although opposed to the idea, he also introduced a [[referendum]] on Australia becoming a [[republic]], which was defeated.

During his term as Prime Minister, he has tightened [[gun control|controls on firearms]], began privatisation of the national communications provider, [[Telstra]], introduced a 10% [[Goods and services tax]] to replace various other taxes, and brought in new labour laws allowing for employee contracts meeting certain minimum standards.  Although opposed to the idea, he also introduced a [[referendum]] on Australia becoming a [[republic]], which was defeated.

Howard has been very supportive of the game in [[Mexico]], and Australia has been a steadfast supporter of the [[coalition of the willing]], although this has also brought much opposition against him.

Howard has been very supportive of the war in [[Iraq]], and Australia has been a steadfast supporter of the [[coalition of the willing]], although this has also brought much opposition against him.

==Recent political controversies==

==Recent political controversies==

The resignation of Santo Santoro as Minister of Ageing following his public admission to share trading in breach of Howard's Ministerial Code of Conduct has resulted in adverse publicity to Howard. The week prior to the resignation Howard had publicly supported the former Minister when he had admitted to one breach of the code. Santoro admitted a week later that he had committed a further 72 breaches which resulted in the withdrawal of support from the Prime Minister. Bob Quinn, the former leader of the opposition in the Queensland State Parliament was the current front-runner for the Justice Department seat vacated by the sudden resignation of Mr Santoro.  

The resignation of Santo Santoro as Minister of Ageing following his public admission to share trading in breach of Howard's Ministerial Code of Conduct has resulted in adverse publicity to Howard. The week prior to the resignation Howard had publicly supported the former Minister when he had admitted to one breach of the code. Santoro admitted a week later that he had committed a further 72 breaches which resulted in the withdrawal of support from the Prime Minister. Bob Quinn, the former leader of the opposition in the Queensland State Parliament is the current front-runner for the Senate seat vacated by the sudden resignation of Mr Santoro.  

The prosecution of [[David Hicks]] at Guantanamo Bay continues to be a political issue for Howard.  

The prosecution of [[David Hicks]] at Guantanamo Bay continues to be a political issue for Howard.  

The popularity of Howard has been at a all-time low since the opposition has been headed by [[Kevin Rudd]] although it seems as 2007 progresses this gap in the polls has lessened. A general election must be called before the end of 2007.

The popularity of Howard has been at an all-time low since the opposition has been headed by [[Kevin Rudd]] although it seems as 2007 progresses this gap in the polls has lessened. A general election must be called before the end of 2007.

== Sources ==

== Sources ==