Changes

Howard had been a parliamentarian for 22 years before becoming the Prime Minister, and for 21 of those years he was on the ministerial benches, including roles as Treasurer and Opposition Leader.

Howard had been a parliamentarian for 22 years before becoming the Prime Minister, and for 21 of those years he was on the ministerial benches, including roles as Treasurer and Opposition Leader.

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 industrial relations laws that alter some protections for employees in small businesses.  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]], begun privatisation of the national communications provider, [[Telstra]], introduced a 10% [[Goods and services tax]] to replace various other taxes, and brought in new industrial relations laws that alter some protections for employees in small businesses.  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 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 from the liberal media, many of whom supported the war in the first place.

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 from the liberal media, many of whom supported the war in the first place.

The recent decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise interest rates has also caused problems for Howard, who has been under fire for advertisements in which he featured in 2004, where it was claimed that his government would keep interest rates at "record lows". He has since attempted to disown the advertisements.

The recent decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise interest rates has also caused problems for Howard, who has been under fire for advertisements in which he featured in 2004, where it was claimed that his government would keep interest rates at "record lows". He has since attempted to disown the advertisements.

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 slightly. 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 slightly.

John Howard hosted the 2007 [[APEC]] meeting in [[Sydney]]. The security measures that were taken were criticized domestically, and included a 3 mile security fence in Sydney's Central Business District, and a call for Syndeysiders to leave the city over the APEC weekend.

John Howard hosted the 2007 [[APEC]] meeting in [[Sydney]]. The security measures that were taken were criticized domestically, and included a 3 mile security fence in Sydney's Central Business District, and a call for Sydneysiders to leave the city over the APEC weekend.

 

 

Howard has pledged to resign halfway through his next term if he is re-elected at the federal election to be held on 24 November.

== Sources ==

== Sources ==