Search

The article focuses on the rise in popular use of the Australian flag in relation to national identity, an issue used by many previous political campaigns. John Howard, Australian prime minister seeking re-election, has cited the national identity as an ideal to revive in upcoming campaigns against chief political rival Kevin Rudd. A history of Australian national identity is also discussed.

John Howard, Australia's prime minister, is seeking a fourth term for his conservative coalition government. However, 43 of Australia's former defence and diplomatic chiefs have attacked him for what they described as his deception of the Australian people. Their charge, in a statement on August 8th, had to do with "false assumptions" behind Howard's commitment of Australian troops to the Iraq war--about 850 of them are still there. Howard's assertion last year that Australia had moved on from the Iraq war may turn out to have been wishful thinking. The murkiness surrounding Australia's involvement suggests the issue is likely to damage the government in the election campaign. The prime minister's credibility on Iraq and other issues has also brought pressure from a more unsettling front. John Valder, a former president of the conservative Liberal Party, which Howard leads, has launched a campaign to defeat Howard in his Sydney electorate of Bennelong. Valder is not standing himself, but is urging voters in the Liberal Party's heartland to support other Bennelong candidates.

Announces that John Howard was re-elected to the position of Prime Minister of Australia in 1998. Defeat of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party; Problems facing Howard; Economic views of Howard; Howard's proposed reforms of Australia's taxation system.

Comments on the re-election of John Howard to the position of prime minister in Australia in October of 1998. Howard's proposed tax on goods and services; Defeat of Pauline Hanson's One Nation party; Problems with Australia's taxation system.

Reports on the political situation in Australia. General election called for October 3, 1998 by Prime Minister John Howard; Polls indicating an edge for the Labor Party of Kim Beazley over Howard's Liberal-National parties; Howard staking his re-election on tax reform; Waning popularity of Pauline Hanson and her One Nation party.

The article focuses on Mark Latham, who led Australia's opposition Labor Party to its fourth successive election defeat. As Latham faced the task of rebuilding Labor, no fewer than six of his senior parliamentary colleagues announced that they were no longer prepared to serve in his shadow cabinet. Some senior people, such as the shadow finance minister, Bob McMullan, withdrew to the parliamentary backbench after bitter arguments with Latham over the election loss. As Latham tried to assemble a new shadow cabinet, Labor's power struggles between its left and right factions erupted, at one point almost stripping him of authority. Finally, as John Howard, leader of the conservative coalition government was being sworn in for his fourth term as prime minister, Latham announced his new team. Most attention focused on Wayne Swan and Stephen Smith, both from the right, who will handle the crucial issues of economic policy and industrial relations. Latham has indicated that he will start by trying to recapture Labor's credentials on economic policy.

Reports on political elections in Australia. Policies of Australian Prime Minister John Howard of the Liberal-National coalition; Goods-and-services tax passed by Howard; Howard's views towards refugees seeking asylum in Australia; The effect of xenophobia and racism on politics in Australia.