1998 election Howard Government

through of first term, opinion polling had been disappointing government; @ times many in government feared being one-term wonder . popularity of pauline hanson , 1 nation party , new restrictions on gun ownership drew many traditionally coalition voters away howard government. controversial had been large spending cuts, waterfront dispute , industrial changes, , government s commitment gst.

on 20 september 1998, @ riverside theatre in parramatta, howard delivered conspicuously no frills policy launch in said economic competence should major issue of election, @ time of economic uncertainty following asian financial crisis, in regional economies had fallen recession, while australia stood out economic strong man of asia :

howard credited government having reduced debt , unemployment , outlined case introduction of goods , services tax, describing existing taxation system broken , , saying coalition s tax reform proposals introduce new economy wide tax dedicated funding of states, while @ same time reducing or eliminating range of inefficient existing taxes:

the kim beazley led labor opposition opposed gst outright.

on 3 october 1998, howard government won second term march 1996 majority of 45 seats reduced 12. exit polls had predicted government loss. 4.6 percent swing away government translated two-party preferred vote of 49.02 per cent government labor s 50.98 per cent. despite 1 nation winning 1 million votes , 8.4 percent first preference vote being larger national party s, pauline hanson did not win run house of representatives seat of blair. on election night, john howard claimed win mandate gst, , in surprising , apparently impromptu remarks, committed government reconciliation australia s indigenous peoples.