The Howard Years

In a bizarre twist of fate, John Howard would find himself in Washington DC on the day the world changed forever. Encompassing both the 2001 and 2004 elections, episode three shows the PM at the height of his powers.

John Howard entered his second term determined to secure his 20-year vision of tax reform. But in his victory speech, the seeds of discontent with his Treasurer were sown and would continue to grow. John Howard demonstrated his acute political antenna by responding to his Government's increasing unpopularity and dramatically changed economic policy to win back disgruntled voters.Then controversy erupted over the Tampa incident and the Pacific solution was born.

Since regaining the leadership in 1995, Howard has re-created "a convincing consensual language" for the party beyond the narrow economic individualism in which it had become trapped by the 1980s. Particularly interesting is Brett's analysis of Howard's appropriation of core elements of national identity mythology once the preserve of Labor. Howard's first term of government (1996-1998). Key themes: Port Arthur; Pauline Hanson; Aboriginal reconciliation and native title; waterfront reform and the decision to introduce the GST.