Hon. John Howard OM AC Travels from NSW
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Hon. John Howard OM AC's Biography
The Honourable
John Winston Howard served as the 25th prime minister of Australia
from March 1996 until November 2007. He has been Australia’s second
longest serving prime minister. Howard led the center/right Liberal Party
of Australia for a total of 16 years.
He was a member
of the House of Representatives for 33 years. Prior to becoming prime minister,
Howard had extensive senior experience in both government and opposition. He
served as treasurer (finance minister) in a previous government and led his
party in opposition for a number of years.
A conservative
on social policy, Howard pursued broadly pro market economic policies in his
time as prime minister. During his period in office, Australia experienced
continued economic growth averaging 3.6% per annum.
The federal
government budget of Australia was in heavy deficit when Howard’s government
came to power. That deficit was eliminated and 10 of the 12 annual budgets
produced by the Howard government were in surplus. In that time $96 billion of
federal government debt was repaid and the government was free of net debt when
Howard’s government left office.
The Howard
government undertook major reform of the Australian taxation system, through
the introduction of a goods and services tax, accompanied by reductions in
personal income tax and corporate tax rates. He also substantially reformed
Australia’s labour laws delivering a freer and less regulated labour market.
Australia’s unemployment rate had fallen to 3.9%, a 33 year low, by the time
Howard left office.
In the field of
foreign policy Australia, under Howard’s government, was both a strong and
close ally of the United States as well as expanding links with Asian nations.
A particular feature of the Howard government’s time in power was the
development of the relationship with China, which is now Australia’s largest
export market. Under Howard’s leadership Australian forces joined the coalition
of the willing in Iraq in March 2003. Australia strongly supported the war
against terrorism with her forces continuing to serve alongside American and
other coalition forces in Afghanistan. Defense spending under the Howard
government grew strongly, by some 47% in real terms between 1996 and 2007.
Howard was in
Washington on an official visit at the time of the terrorist attack on
September 11, 2001. He addressed a joint sitting of Congress in 2002. He
currently serves as chairman of the International Democratic Union—an
international grouping of center/right parties including the Republican Party.
His government
undertook major reforms in social policy including measures to move people from
welfare payments into paid work, the involvement of faith based and other
non-government organizations in the provision of certain welfare services and a
strengthening of Australia’s universal Medicare system.
Shortly after
Howard came to power he responded to the massacre of 35 people by a lone
gunman, at Port Arthur in Tasmania, with the implementation of national gun
control laws which drastically curtailed the possession of many firearms.
Howard was born
in Sydney, Australia on July 26, 1939, attending school at
Earlwood Primary and Canterbury Boys’ High. He went on to the University
of Sydney, graduated with a bachelor of laws in 1961 and was admitted as a
solicitor of the NSW Supreme Court in July 1962. Prior to his election to
Parliament, he was a partner in a Sydney firm of solicitors.
Howard is a
keen follower of sports, particularly cricket and rugby. He plays golf
regularly. Howard married
his wife Janette, a teacher by profession, on April 4, 1971. They have three
children, Melanie, Tim and Richard. Howard and his wife currently live in
Sydney.
On June 9, 2008
Mr Howard was appointed a companion in the General Division of the Order of
Australia.
On January 13,
2009 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W.
Bush in Washington. It is America’s highest civilian honour.
On the January
1, 2012 Queen Elizabeth II appointed him as a member of the Order of Merit.
Howard’s
autobiography Lazarus Rising was published in October 2010. It has become
the best-selling political memoir in Australian history.
Speaking Topics Include
International
Leadership
As prime
minister of Australia for four terms, John Howard provided a global approach to
leadership. He delivered economic vision and strategies for international
security that raised Australia’s profile on the world stage while gaining the
respect and gratitude of the world. Howard discusses the role of world leaders
in a new century, detailing steps for handling the growing concerns of
globalisation and global economics, the environment, and threats to
international security.
Global
Challenges
A leader of
tremendous courage and character, Howard understands that security at home
requires vigilance abroad. Under his leadership, Australia was a consistent and
resolute ally in the War on Terror. Howard discusses the need to build
stability in less-fortunate countries, maintain strong international
relationships with allies and manage immigration as key factors in
strengthening security.
China and the Global Economy
Under
Howard's leadership, Australia's economy grew every year, even during the Asian
financial crisis that devastated its neighbours. His administration pushed for
unprecedented expansion in Australia’s economic relationship with China by
initiating negotiations for a free trade agreement with China. Howard candidly
describes why he forged ahead with these efforts and what the economic future -
for both the Pacific Rim and the world - may hold.
Leadership
in the New Century
Steering
the ship of what is the most prominent Western stronghold in the Asian-Pacific
Rim requires visionary and forward-thinking leadership. Australian Prime
Minister John Howard approached his responsibilities to his country from a
uniquely global viewpoint, providing economic vision and security strategies
that raised Australia's profile and impact around the world. Howard discusses the
role of world leaders in a new century, detailing steps for handling the
growing concerns of globalisation and global economics, the environment, and
threats to international security.
The Global Economic Future
Providing
economic leadership in today's world means re-envisioning old economic models
to discover new ones. Prime Minister John Howard did precisely that, and so
much more, for Australia: in the face of criticism from many, Howard initiated
efforts to broker a free-trade agreement with China, a strategic move that was
completely unprecedented and, when ratified, will add further credibility to
China's willingness to participate in a free market. Howard candidly discusses
his vision for the global economic future, and in what ways, and to what degrees,
China, India and the Pacific Rim will participate.