Second term: 1998.E2.80.932001 Howard Government

1 second term: 1998–2001

1.1 1999 republic referendum
1.2 implementing gst
1.3 east timor
1.4 reconciliation
1.5 leadership tensions , slump in popularity
1.6 family , community services legislation amendment (new zealand citizens) act 2001
1.7 asylum seekers
1.8 international affairs

1.8.1 september 11, 2001 ( 9/11 ) attacks


1.9 2001 election

second term: 1998–2001

the howard government s second term saw australia reject proposals republic , host sydney 2000 olympics. in 2001, nation celebrated century of federation, ceremonies in both australia , britain. period marked dramatic international security crises, including east timorese independence referendum , 11 september terror attacks on united states.

the 1999 republic referendum

the 1999 australian republic referendum 2 question referendum held in 1999. first question asked whether australia should become republic president appointed parliament, model had been decided @ constitutional convention in february 1998. second question, deemed far less important politically, asked whether australia should alter constitution insert new preamble. preamble notable reference aboriginal custodianship of australia. neither of amendments passed, 55% of electors , states voting no proposed amendment.

the referendum held on 6 november 1999, after national advertising campaign , distribution of 12.9 million yes/no case pamphlets. question on republic defeated. not carried in state , attracted 45 per cent of total national vote. preamble referendum question defeated, yes vote of 39 per cent.

many opinions put forward defeat, relating perceived difficulties parliamentary appointment model, others relating lack of public engagement. many republicans voted no because did not agree provisions such president being instantly dismissible prime minister.

implementing gst

in month following election, government moved implement tax changes, , sought support of tasmanian independent senator, brian harradine. senator, however, announced on 14 may 1999, objected in principle gst , not support bill. sole remaining opportunity government pass legislation through senate obtain support of australian democrats through leader meg lees. following intense , controversial negotiations, deal reached on 28 may whereby concessions given democrats included exemption on basic food, more generous compensation pensioners, , reduction in tax cuts higher income earners. gst came effect on 1 july 2000, lead-up marked public concerns , confusion, interest group lobbying exemptions, , opposition campaigning against it. gst led single quarter of negative economic growth , spike in consumer price index, effects proved transient. implementation of new tax system not without problems , voter dissatisfaction gst increased; labor stepped campaign against it, promising partial rollback should win office. dissatisfaction of majority of democrats membership led leadership contest in meg lees deposed natasha stott despoja.

east timor

australian peacekeepers , east timorese civilians in dili during 2000

australia 1 of few countries recognise 1976 annexation of east timor president suharto s new order government. 1998 resignation of suharto , replacement reformist protégé, b.j. habibie, created opportunity in both countries policy reform. habibie suggesting east timor receive special autonomy status within indonesian republic, offered part of united nations (un)-mediated negotiation process between indonesia , territory s former colonial ruler, portugal. australian policy changed. position of not supporting act of east timorese self-determination, prime minister , foreign minister downer formulated shift in policy suggesting not autonomy political solution included referendum on independence provided in decade. developed confidentially without knowledge of cabinet, , outlined in december 1998 letter habibie suggesting indonesian government prepare such referendum.

reacting howard-downer letter, in january 1999 habibie announced snap decision east timor have un-supervised referendum within 6 months rather 10 years suggested howard. habibie announcement provoked violence east timorese pro-integration militia groups, violence indonesian military (tni) not or not control. prime minister s request president habibie permit un peace-keeping force take control rejected president habibie unacceptable , inflammatory indonesian domestic political environment.

on 30 august 1999, east timorese voted overwhelmingly independence. within few days, pro-integration militia—along tni supporters—undertook retaliatory scorched earth campaign left on 1,000 people dead , destroyed of territory s infrastructure. in face of australian public , international outrage, prime minister led discussions un peacekeeping force, position supported president bill clinton , un secretary-general kofi annan. following international pressure, president habibie allowed peacekeeping force (interfet) enter indonesia, australia providing largest contingent of 4,500 troops. landing in dili on 20 september 1999, mission popular within australia , maintained bipartisan political support. in october, un secretary-general announced interfet had largely restored order east timor.

reconciliation

as recommended in 1997 bringing them home report, government considered issue of national apology indigenous australians, in recognition of treatment previous governments since european settlement of country. however, in face of growing movement in favour of formal national apology (the first national sorry day taking place on 26 may 1998), howard remained against it, saying didn t believe current generation should accept responsibility actions of previous generations. instead, on 26 august 1999 john howard introduced motion of reconciliation , repeated personal expression of deep , sincere regret past injustices.

at corroboree 2000, reconciliation convention in may 2000 in preparation reconciliation ceremony held @ centenary of australian federation, government opposed wording of proposed australian declaration towards reconciliation . consequently, agreement not reached council aboriginal reconciliation, government preferring reference made practical reconciliation focuses on health, education, housing , employment, rather more symbolic proposal apology, expressed part of ’ walk[ing] journey of healing ’. 2 members of cabinet, philip ruddock , john herron, ministers reconciliation , aboriginal affairs respectively, reportedly @ instruction of john howard, joined 250,000 people walked across sydney harbour bridge part of peoples walk reconciliation.

leadership tensions , slump in popularity

howard s reported instruction cabinet not join reconciliation walk highlighted tensions between him , treasurer costello, amongst cabinet ministers had wanted walk. in 2000 radio interview on 61st birthday, howard suggested if party still wanted him contest next election consider retirement when 64. interpreted boosting costello s leadership aspirations, , enmity on leadership , succession resurfaced publicly when howard did not retire @ age of 64. in may 2001, internal liberal party memo written shane stone, federal president of liberal party, leaked media. memo, particularly critical of peter costello , warning government perceived mean government , not listening , out of touch , highly embarrassing government s top leadership group , flared tensions between howard , costello.

in first half of 2001, government suffered number of setbacks including rising petrol prices, voter enmity on implementation of gst , new administrative obligations on business, spike in inflation , sharp slow down in economy. coalition lost office in both west australian , queensland state elections in february, while defeat in ryan by-election , bad opinion polls led predictions of howard government losing office in election expected late year.

in response, government announced serious of reversals , softening of policy: fuel excise decreased 1.5c/litre , indexation of excise removed john howard saying government not going sacrificed on pyre of ideological purity . contrary previous record on encouraging foreign investment, government announced intention block royal dutch shell’s $10 billion takeover of woodside petroleum. popular decision within electorate 1 critics said pandering hansonite economic nationalism. june, government spending on media promotion , advertising of government programs $20 million month. subsequent federal budget had lower expected surplus of $1.5 billion, , contained significant benefits , tax cuts older australians, demographic support government keenly sought. news economy had avoided recession boosted government. in july, liberal party held onto seat of aston in by-election prompting john howard coalition in game .

family , community services legislation amendment (new zealand citizens) act 2001

on 26 february 2001, howard government amended social security act 1991 (ssa 1991). new zealand citizens may reside, work , study in australia indefinitely without needing first apply visa. granted special category visa (scv) sub-class 444 on arrival subject meeting health , character requirements, temporary visa introduced on 1 september 1994. amendment ssa 1991 excludes nz citizens arrived after 26 february 2001 being eligible apply citizenship , claim social security payments. nz citizens in australia on 26 february 2001 or 12 months in 2 years prior, or hold centrelink certificate issued under social security act 1991 stating residing in australia on particular date considered protected scv holders. these people entitled same australian permanent visa holders. may apply citizenship provided meet residence requirement. non-protected scv holders (those nz citizens don t meet february 2001 criteria) wish become australian citizens must first obtain permanent visa. 60% of nz citizens in australia not qualify of permanent visas. nz citizens non-protected scv holders entered australia @ time before september 1994 may eligible resident return visa (rrv). nz citizens entered australia before september 1994 granted permanent residence on arrival , rrv reinstates permanent resident status. many nz citizens have obtained permanent visa sponsor nz citizen partner , nz-born children. fees nz citizens pay permanent visa same fees people other countries pay, though nz citizen applicants may have lived , paid taxes in australia since 2001, while other countries may have never contributed australia @ time of applying permanent visa. amendments ssa 1991 have created underclass of residents in australia, inaccessibility assistance in event of sudden job loss or severe illness, being ineligible access introduced national disability insurance scheme funded via increased medicare levy. non-protected scv holders australian residents tax purposes cannot work federal government or join defence force because ineligible apply citizenship, ineligible student loans, not eligible public housing or student travel concessions in states, cannot work state government in states, not covered many insurance policies because don t meet insurer s definition of permanent resident, excluded applying jobs because don t meet criteria of being permanent resident , cannot access shelters in event escaping domestic violence situation.

asylum seekers



abc news report of tampa affair , political context, october 2001.



persons arriving unauthorised boat australia calendar year

from 1999 mid-2001, approximately 8,000 asylum seekers had landed on australian shores. government instructed australian navy turn boats back, said stop more asylum seekers making journey. program dubbed operation relex begins on 3 september. in august 2001, government refused permission norwegian freighter mv tampa, carrying group of asylum seekers picked in international waters, enter australian waters (see tampa affair). when tampa entered australian waters, prime minister ordered ship boarded australian special forces. brought censure government of norway said australian government failed meet obligations distressed mariners under international law @ united nations. within few days government introduces border protection bill house of representatives saying confirm australian sovereignty determine enter , reside in australia . opposition opposed bill defeating in senate, , john howard accused labor leader kim beazley of standing nothing , said has no ticker . 2 weeks later, opposition supported amended version of bill. government brokered deal, dubbed pacific solution , government of nauru whereby asylum seekers taken nauru refugee status considered, rather in australia.

on 7 october 2001, suspected illegal entry vessel (siev) containing 223 refugees intercepted australian warship part of operation relex . department of defence informed government children had been thrown overboard. government said refugees threw children in water , sank boat in attempt force australian sailors grant them asylum. john howard said re not nation that‟s going intimidated kind of behaviour. 3 days later doubt cast on whether photos offered evidence defence minister peter reith proved children had been thrown overboard. evidence later presented suggested government had exaggerated or fabricated these claims.

these asylum restriction incidents resounded australian electorate; many commentators cite august 2001 tampa controversy decisive issue in howard s 2001 election victory. government pointed out november boat arrivals had stopped. government s position on asylum seekers criticised liberal members petro georgiou , bruce baird, questioning extent of problem , ethics of government s response.

international affairs

in 1999, diplomatic crisis emerged australia in disintegrating nation of yugoslavia. former prime minister malcolm fraser dispatched special envoy australian government seek release of care australia workers steve pratt , peter wallace imprisoned in yugoslavia on charges of espionage.

september 11, 2001 ( 9/11 ) attacks

howard , george w. bush on 10 september 2001. howard in washington, d.c. during 11 september terrorist attacks, response occupied of third term in office

in 1990s, wealthy saudi dissident, osama bin laden, leader of al qaeda (an internationalist islamist paramilitary headquartered in afghanistan) declared fatwa calling killing of americans , allies – civilians , military... in country in possible bring end ongoing enforcement of blockade against iraq , presence of troops in arabian peninsula. declaration followed earlier bombings , declarations of jihad, had brought australians line of fire in latterly grow called war on terror . in september 2001, john howard went washington meet new president of united states, george w. bush , commemorate anniversary of anzus alliance. during howard s visit, on 11 september 2001, 4 passenger planes hijacked al qaeda , used missiles attack civilian , military targets in new york (world trade center) , suburban washington, d.c. (the pentagon). attacks surpassed japanese bombing of pearl harbor deadly attack against united states territory of modern times. in response, howard government invoked anzus treaty , offered support united states. howard government subsequently committed troops afghanistan war (with bi-partisan support) , iraq war (meeting disapproval of other political parties). international al qaeda threat became major backdrop australian federal election, 2001 , became among significant foreign policy challenges of howard government s terms of office. time of bin laden s death decade later @ hands of special forces, 105 australians had been killed in al qaeda attacks in new york, bali, london , mumbai , further 24 australian military personnel had been killed while serving in afghanistan conflict (including 1 british armed forces).

in bulletin magazine suggested prime minister viewed australia deputy peacekeeping capacity global policing role of in asia-pacific region, , had embraced term howard doctrine . both notions criticised foreign leaders, diplomats, , academics in australia , region. howard rejected these notions later week. in 2003, president, george w bush, described howard deputy sheriff in region, comments howard played down.

2001 election

on 5 october 2001, john howard announced federal election held on 10 november. poor opinion polling in 2001 suggested electoral defeat, government recovered win 2001 election, recording 1 of biggest electoral swings incumbent government.

in 2001, finance minister john fahey, had announced retire @ next election, had defence minister peter reith. deputy prime minister , nationals leader tim fischer had resigned ministry in 1999 , parliament in 2001.

howard launched coalition s 2001 federal election campaign policy speech @ sydney recital hall, on 28 october. in address, howard framed election campaign in following terms:

the challenging post-9/11 international environment featured heavily backdrop , subtext howard s speech. nevertheless, campaign speech broadranging in scope. speech promised increased defence, science , innovation spending , outlined intention social welfare reform intention of reducing welfare dependency, of giving people incentive in work , not in welfare. of reconnecting mature age workers work force .

howard reiterated coalition support funding of independent schools, in context of labor party proposals channel funds away independent schooling. reiterated support private health insurance through 30% tax rebate, take load of public hospitals . howard restated government did not support australia ratifying kyoto agreement until full cost australia of ratification known , said way have effective international arrangement on greenhouse gas emissions include united states of america developing countries. howard proposed first child tax refund, support families new-borns , increased funding aged care , tough on drugs programme improve education , law enforcement , rehabilitation (but not adopt labor party proposal heroin injecting room safehouses).

australia s immigration policies towards asylum seekers significant issue in campaign , on topic, howard said:

howard accused beazley opposition of relentless negativity in relation government s economic reforms. beazley opposition proposed roll gst , undo government s industrial relations reforms. howard said of hawke-keating economic legacy had left horrendous debt legacy, drove interest rates unconscionable heights, insensitive plight of average worker through levels of unemployment .