Howard government

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John Howard in 2003

The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia for the 11 years that John Howard was Prime Minister. This government began on 11 March 1996 after the electoral defeat of the previous Keating Government. The Coalition government, led by Howard, won a majority of seats in the Australian House of Representatives a further three times, and Howard continued to serve as Prime Minister for all of the four consecutive terms of office. The Government ended when Kevin Rudd became Prime Minister on 3 December 2007 following the defeat of the Coalition in the 2007 election.

Throughout the Howard Government, Cabinet was led by Prime Minister John Howard, with Peter Costello as the Treasurer and Alexander Downer as the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Tim Fischer served as Deputy Prime Minister until 20 July 1999, followed by John Anderson until 6 July 2005 and then Mark Vaile. Decisions of the Executive were made either by the Cabinet or by the appropriate Minister.

The Howard Government had control of the lower house of the Australian Parliament because of its majority in the House of Representatives. For the first three terms of government, and part of the fourth term, the Howard Government did not have control of the Senate. Significant legislation needed the support of the Opposition or minor parties for that legislation to be passed and become law. In the 2004 election, the coalition won control of the Senate for its fourth term, and was able to pass legislation without the support of minor parties.

First term: 1996–1998

See also: Australian federal election, 1996 and First Howard Ministry

The federal election on 2 March 1996 gave the Liberal National coalition an election victory over the Labor party. The coalition obtained in the federal election on 2 March 1996 gave the coalition an enormous majority in the House of Representatives. Howard announced his proposed ministry team on 8 March 1996, with the Governor-General swearing them into office on 20 March. The Ministers of the Howard Government were selected from the Parliamentary caucus of the Liberal and National parties who have been in a stable Coalition at the federal level for many decades. In accordance with the coalition agreement, the leader of the Liberal Party was always the Prime Minister and the leader of the National Party was always the Deputy Prime Minister. The senior ministers meet together as the Cabinet to determine the policy direction of the Government.

Howard during a visit to the United States in 1997

The Government soon claimed that the previous Keating Government had left the present government with a "black hole" of debt. However, the first test of the government was the Tasmanian Port Arthur massacre in April 1996. This incident lead to controversial gun control legislation which was implemented on a bi-partisal co-operative arrangement across the States. Howard coordinated action by the state governments to restrict the private ownership of semi-automatic rifles, semi-automatic shotguns and pump-action shotguns and raised the prospect of a referendum on gun control. May 10 that year he structured a "National Firearms Agreement" covering related matters such as uniform firearms licensing, although this was never fully implemented.

The government did not have a majority in the Senate, and thus had to negotiate legislation through the Senate with either the Australian Democrats or the independents. The Senate modified Government legislation, including the partial privatisation of the government-owned telecommunications company, Telstra; the modification of industrial relations laws to promulgate individual contracts; increases in university fees; large funding cuts in the 1996 and 1997 budgets; a 30% private health insurance rebate; and the Wik 10 Point Plan, giving extinguishment of native title on pastoral leases.[citation needed] During this first term, only two pieces of legislation were rejected outright by the Senate, being the Workplace Relationships Amendment Bill 1997 and the Telstra (Transition to Full Private Ownership) Bill 1998. [1]

A "Code of Ministerial Conduct"[2] was introduced during the first term. It eventually led to seven cabinet ministers resigning following breach of the code. [citation needed] Jim Short and Brian Gibson both resigned as both held shares in companies that were within their ministerial portfolios.[3] Geoff Prosser resigned following the disclosure that he was a shopping centre landlord whilst he responsible for commercial tenancy provisions of the Trade Practices Act 1975. [4] John Sharp, David Jull, Bob Woods, and Peter McGauran) subsequently resigned following breaches of the code,[citation needed] which included irregularities in the use of ministerial travel allowance. Another two ministers (John Moore and Warwick Parer) were found to have breached the code.

A "work for the dole" system was introduced that required able-bodied social security recipients to seek work.

The government-owned telecommunications company, Telstra, was partially privatised.

Industrial relations laws modified to promulgate individual contracts.

University fees increased.

There were large spending cuts in the 1996 and 1997 budgets.

A 30% private health insurance rebate was introduced.

The Wik 10 Point Plan, giving extinguishment of native title on pastoral leases was implemented.

Second term: 1998–2001

See also: Australian federal election, 1998 and Second Howard Ministry

In the government's second term a Goods & Services Tax (GST) was introduced, replacing a range of taxes on specific goods with a flat rate on almost all goods and services. As a partial offset for the GST, a $7,000 "first home buyers grant" (FHOG) was introduced in 2000.[5]

Following the August 1999 East Timor Special Autonomy Referendum result for secession from Indonesia and the subsequent "scorched earth" campaign by pro-Indonesian militias, Australia led a peacekeeping/policing force to East Timor. The mission was praised domestically but seriously damaged relations with the Indonesian government.[citation needed]

Tampa & Children overboard

In August 2001, the government refused permission for the Norwegian freighter MV Tampa, carrying a group of asylum seekers picked up in international waters, to enter Australian waters.[6] When the Tampa entered Australian waters, Howard ordered the ship be boarded by Australian special forces. This brought censure from the government of Norway for Australia's failure to meet obligations to distressed mariners under international law at the United Nations.[7] However, the move was immensely popular with the Australian electorate; many commentators cite the August 2001 Tampa controversy as the decisive issue in Howard's 2001 election victory.[8]

Third term: 2001–2004

Howard and George W. Bush on 10 September 2001. Howard was in Washington DC during the September 11 terrorist attacks, the response to which occupied much of his third term in office
See also: Australian federal election, 2001 and Third Howard Ministry

The Governor General, Dr. Peter Hollingworth, faced allegations of not investigating Anglican ministers accused of paedophilia while he was Anglican Archbishop of Brisbane. Hollingworth subsequently resigned the governor-generalship.

In April 2002 changes where made to Australian nationality law that allowed Australian citizens who had acquired another country's citizenship to keep their Australian citizenship concurrently.[citation needed]

Despite its victory in 2001, the government did not have a Senate majority, and its ability to pass planned legislation was restricted.

Iraq

In March 2003, Howard joined 40 countries including the United Kingdom and the United States, in what US President George Bush referred to as the Coalition of the Willing in sending troops and naval units to support in the invasion of Iraq and the removal of Saddam Hussein from power. He told parliament:

Full disclosure by Iraq of its chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs and immediate and total cooperation by Iraq with the provisions of resolution 1441 of the Security Council will remove the need for military action.[9]

Australian opinion was deeply divided on the war and large public protests against the war occurred.[10] Several senior figures from the Liberal party, including John Valder, a former president of the Liberal Party, and Howard's former friend and colleague, former Opposition Leader John Hewson and former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser publicly criticised Howard over Iraq.[11] John Valder's criticism was particularly strong, claiming that Howard should be tried and punished as a war criminal.[12]

On 5 February 2003, the Australian Senate presented it's first vote of no-confidence against a serving leader for deploying troops to the Presian Gulf.[13] The unprecedented vote carried no legislative power as the motion was defeated in the House of Representatives, however it served as a symbolic condemnation of John Howard and the Federal Government's unilateral decision to deploy troops ahead of the invasion of Iraq.

On Anzac Day 2004, Howard made a surprise visit to Australian defence personnel in Iraq. This came amid a bitter debate in Australia over the war following opposition leader Mark Latham's promise to return Australian troops by Christmas. Howard portrayed Latham as a threat to the U.S.-Australia alliance.

Energy

On 6 May2004, Howard convened a meeting with a group of energy industry representatives called the Lower Emissions Technology Advisory Group (LETAG). Although it met with the renewable energy sector separately, the Government was later criticised for not inviting them to this meeting. According to leaked minutes from the meeting, Howard would conclude that technology would be the long-term solution to greenhouse issues and his focus should be on ways to accelerate introduction of technology for reducing greenhouse gases, but that he was not looking for the establishment of public policy. Concerns about the cost and effectiveness of the current Mandatory Renewable Energy Targets (MRET) were also raised.[14]

Same-sex relationships

In May 2004, and with the help of the Australian Democrats,[15] the Howard Government amended Australia's superannuation law to allow same-sex couples to inherit their partners' private sector superannuation.[16] Announcing the May 2004 proposal, Howard said:

"The changes we are announcing today will provide greater certainty for the payment of super death benefits for those involved in interdependency relationships including, of course, members of same sex relationships"[17]

The changes did not extend to members in Commonwealth superannuation schemes.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

On 13 August 2004, the Senate passed the Howard Government's[18] Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill[19] which incorporated the common law definition of marriage—"the union of a man and a woman to exclusion of all others"—into the Marriage Act and the Family Law Act.[20]

Fourth term: 2004–2007

Howard with Condoleezza Rice, Philip Ruddock and Alexander Downer in March 2006
See also: Australian federal election, 2004 and Fourth Howard Ministry
Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson signing an agreement which commits Australia to participate in the development of the F-35 Lightning II‎ fighter. Defence spending increased considerably during the Howard Government and the F-35 purchase will be the single most expensive defence acquisition in Australian history.

The Howard government revisited and secured the passage of previously blocked legislation, including:

It also instructed the Governor-General to disallow a legislation, the ACT Civil Unions Act.[21]

  • In April 2006, the government announced it had completely paid off the last of $96 billion of Commonwealth net debt inherited when it came to power in 1996.[22] Economists generally welcomed the news, while cautioning that some level of debt was not necessarily bad, and that some of the debt had been transferred to the private sector.[23] [verification needed]
Industrial relations
Main article: WorkChoices

In 2005, Howard announced significant changes to industrial relations laws. These became the subject of a national publicity campaign by the government and pronounced opposition from community groups, the union movement and state Labor governments. On 15 November 2005, public rallies were held to protest against the industrial relations changes. An estimated 100,000-175,000 people attended rallies in Melbourne and around 300 other meetings and rallies, held concurrently around the country, were also well attended.[24] These meetings were organised by various unions and community organisations with the help of Labor and the Greens. Due to the Coalition's slim majority in the Senate, the passage of the proposed laws was put in doubt following criticisms from Queensland National Party Senator Barnaby Joyce, although he later voted in support of the legislation. The industrial relations laws were passed without substantial change.

Anti-terrorism measures

In mid 2005, John Howard and his cabinet began discussions of new anti-terror legislation which includes modification to the Crimes Act 1914. In particular, sections relating to sedition are to be modified. On 14 October 2005, Jon Stanhope (Chief Minister of the ACT) took the controversial step of publishing the confidential draft of the Federal Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005 on his website.[25] This action was both praised and criticised.[26] Citing concerns about civil rights raised by the Australian National University as well as concerns over the speed of the legislation's passage through parliament, he later refused to sign off on a revised version of the legislation, becoming the only State and Territorial leader not to sign.[27] The House of Representatives passed the anti-terrorism legislation which was debated in the Senate before its final implementation in December 2005.

On 2 November 2005 Howard held a press conference to announce that he had received information from police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) that indicated an imminent terrorist attack in Australia. Within a week, on 8 November, anti-terrorist raids were held across Melbourne and Sydney, with 17 suspected terrorists arrested, including Abdul Nacer Benbrika. These raids, according to Howard, demonstrated the need for his Anti-Terrorism Bill.[28] Critics have also said that the press conference was held on the same day as the changes to industrial relations laws were introduced to Parliament.

Since Mohamed Haneef spent 12 days in jail without charges (he was suspected to have supported the perpetrators of the foiled terror attacks in London and Glasgow in July 2007), the anti-terrorism bill and its impact for the separation of powers in a democracy became more publicly discussed. When a judge found insufficient evidence for the charges against Haneef, Minister of Immigration Kevin Andrews withdrew his working visa. While the Howard government unequivocally backed Kevin Andrew's decision, members of the judicial community in Australia raised their concern about the interference of the government in judicial proceedings.[29]

Mandatory detention policy
Main article: Mandatory detention in Australia

Throughout the first half of 2005, the Howard government faced pressure regarding the controversial mandatory detention program, introduced in 1992 by the Keating Labor government.

It was revealed in February that a mentally ill German citizen and Australian resident, Cornelia Rau, had been held in detention for nine months. The government then established the closed non-judicial Palmer Inquiry promising that the findings would be made public. In May, it was revealed that another Australian, subsequently identified as Vivian Solon, had been deported from Australia and that the department responsible was unable to locate her. By late May, it was revealed that an additional 200 cases of possible wrongful detention had been referred to the Palmer Inquiry.[30] Also at this time Howard faced backbench revolt from small numbers of his own party demanding that reforms be made.[31] On 9 June Australia's longest serving detainee, Peter Qasim, was moved to a psychiatric hospital.[32]

In June, 2005, several backbenchers including Petro Georgiou challenged the Howard government's holding of asylum-seeker children in immigration detention centres.[33] Over 2000 asylum-seeker children were held in detention centres during previous years. The longest period a child was detained was 5 years.[34]

Under the agreement between Howard and the MPs, legislation was introduced to "soften" the detention system enacted in 1992. Detained families with children were moved out of detention centres and placed in "community detention", and people detained over two years received an ombudsman review.[35] Questioned as to why the government had not acted sooner, Howard was quoted as saying: "We have to confess that was one of the many failings of this Government."[35]

Mandatory detention was abolished by the Rudd Labor government in July 2008. Some exceptions apply.[36]

Energy

The Howard government did not sign the Kyoto Protocol, arguing that it did not set binding emission reduction targets for developing countries such as China and India.[37]

On 6 June 2006, Howard announced a task force to conduct the "Uranium Mining, Processing, and Nuclear Energy Review", the terms of reference of which include "the extent to which nuclear energy will make a contribution to the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions".[38] Howard announced on 10 December 2006 the formation of a Prime Ministerial Task Group on Emissions Trading.[39] On 3 February 2007, the Australian government announced that it could not by itself have a significant effect on mitigation of global warming, though it would continue to make efforts to cut greenhouse gases; it would be necessary for Australia to find means of adaptation.[40] On 4 June 2007, Howard announced a new Carbon Trading Scheme to be in place in Australia by 2012. Only four months earlier, Howard rejected such a scheme by the states, claiming "knee-jerk reactions that are going to destroy the jobs of coalminers".[41]

Peter Costello was Treasurer throughout the Howard Government's period in office
Northern Territory intervention

In August 2007, the Howard government announced the Northern Territory National Emergency Response. This package of revisions to welfare provisions, law enforcement and other measures was advanced as a plan for addressing child abuse in Aboriginal Northern Territory communities that had been highlighted by the "Little Children are Sacred" report in mid-June.

Howard had been a long-time opponent of indigenous Native Title in Australia. Key components of the intervention included seizure by the Federal Government of local community land leases for a five year period and removal of the permit system that had allowed aboriginal communities to control access to their land.

The plan drew criticism from the report's authors for not incorporating any of the report's numerous recommendations[42], however some aboriginal activists such as Noel Pearson provided qualified support for the intervention, as it provided the first sign of the Howard government taking any significant interest in aboriginal affairs. Commentators noted the approaching November federal election, suggesting that the intervention was an attempt at "wedge politics" and an appeal to middle class non-Aboriginal voters concerned with child abuse and racial issues.

Howard and other APEC leaders at APEC Australia 2007

2007 election

Kevin Rudd (second from right) campaigning against WorkChoices on Labour Day 2007. The ALP's opposition to WorkChoices was a key factor behind its victory in the November election.
Main article: Australian federal election, 2007

In the 24 November election, the Coalition government was defeated, with a 5.44 percent swing against it nationwide. Howard lost his seat in the defeat, as did three of his ministers (Gary Nairn, Mal Brough and Jim Lloyd) as well as 17 other Coalition MPs.

External links

References

  1. ^ The Howard government: Australian Commonwealth Administration 1996-1998 By Gwynneth Singleton p 30
  2. ^ "A Guide on Key Elements of Ministerial Responsibility", Dept of the Prime Minister & Cabinet
  3. ^ The Howard government: Australian Commonwealth Administration 1996-1998 By Gwynneth Singleton p 31
  4. ^ The Howard government: Australian Commonwealth Administration 1996-1998 By Gwynneth Singleton p 31
  5. ^ "First Home Owner Grant– General Information". Australian Government. 15 February 2002. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Statement by Australian Ambassador, UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 56th SESSION, 27 November, 2001
  7. ^ "United Nations General Assembly– Fifty-sixth session" (PDF). United Nations. 2001-11-27. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ "Latest poll 'a nonsense': former Labor pollster". PM. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 Jun 2004. Retrieved 2007-08-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); "Antony Green's Election Summary". Australia votes. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2004. Retrieved 2007-08-29.; Carney, Shaun (11 September 2004). "The challenge for Australia". The Age. Retrieved 2007-08-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ Howard (2003-02-04). "Ministerial statements: Iraq". Hansard of the Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 2007-08-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |First= ignored (|first= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Protests across Australia against war". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2003-04-14. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Laurie Oakes (2004-08-15). "Interview with John Howard on Sunday (TV series)". NineMSN. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); "John Hewson Criticises Howard Iraq Policy". australianpolitics.com. 2003-03-11. Retrieved 2007-05-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Andrew Webster (2003-08-24). "Liberal blast from one PM to another". The Age. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "Howard is war criminal, says former colleague". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2004-07-19. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ "Australian PM censured over Iraq". BBC News. 2003-02-05. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
  14. ^ "Minutes of a meeting of the Low Emissions Technology Advisory Group (LETAG) with the Australian Government" (PDF). 2004-05-06. Retrieved 2007-01-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Andrew Fowler (2004-09-07). "Leaked documents reveal fossil fuel influence in White Paper". Retrieved 2007-01-24. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Australian Democrats Action Plan
  16. ^ "Gay activists remind parties of promises". The Age. 9 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-09. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ "PM targets gays in marriage law". The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 May 2004. Retrieved 2007-11-08. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ parlinfoweb.aph.gov.au
  19. ^ "Gay marriage ban passes parliament". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2004-08-13. Retrieved 2007-11-08. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ PARLINFO WEB; PARLINFO WEB
  21. ^ Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia (13 June 2006). "MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE CIVIL UNIONS ACT 2006 (ACT)".; Stafford, Annabel (2006-06-14). "Commonwealth quashes ACT in battle over civil union laws". The Age. Fairfax. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |work= (help)
  22. ^ Costello, Peter (20 April 2006). "Speech to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia : "DEBT-FREE DAY"".
  23. ^ ABC PM (20 April 2006). "Costello announces 'debt free day'".
  24. ^ Barnes, Renee (4 September 2001). "Protesters engulf Melbourne CBD". The Age. Retrieved 2007-08-29. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Barnes, Renee (15 November 2001). "Protesters turn out for IR rally". The Age. Retrieved 2007-08-29. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ "Exposure draft of anti-terrorism laws". Jon Stanhope. 2005-12-15. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Australian Parliament (2005-12-15). "Draft Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005" (PDF). Jon Stanhope. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "PM on attack over draft bill release". Sydney Morning Herald. 2005-10-15. Retrieved 2006-08-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); "Stanhope under fire over bill leak". ABC News Online. 2005-10-15. Retrieved 2006-08-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "Human rights implications of the Anti-Terrorism Bill 2005" (PDF). Jon Stanhope. 2005-10-18. Retrieved 2006-08-26. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); "Stanhope flags doubts on 'hasty' terrorism bill". ABC News Online. 2005-10-17. Retrieved 2006-08-26. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ Munro, Ian (9 November 2005). "We have disrupted a large-scale attack". The Age. Retrieved 2006-08-26. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  29. ^ Wright, Tony (22 August 2007). "The day a judge overruled a minister". The Age. Retrieved 2007-08-24. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ "Detention probe handed 200 cases". ABC News. 2005-05-25. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ Louise Dodson (2005-05-25). "Howard explodes at MPs' revolt". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  32. ^ "Longest-serving detainee moved to psychiatric hospital". ABC News and Current Affairs. 2005-06-09. Retrieved 2006-07-08. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ "How Howard got himself out of detention". The Age. 2005-06-19. Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  34. ^ "System left children trapped". The Age. 2004-05-15. Retrieved 2007-10-16. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); "The politics of suffering children". The Age. 2006-05-17. Retrieved 2007-10-16. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ a b "We've failed detainees– PM caves in". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2005-06-18. Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ Sweeping changes to mandatory detention announced: ABC News 29/7/2008
  37. ^ "Australia ratifies Kyoto global warming treaty". United States: MSNBC. 2007-12-03. Retrieved 2008-05-06.">
  38. ^ "Uranium Mining, Processing, and Nuclear Energy Review". 2006-12-12. Retrieved 2007-01-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ "Prime Ministerial Task Group on Emissions Trading". Retrieved 2007-01-21.; "Sourcewatch entry on the Prime Ministerial Task Group on Emissions Trading". Retrieved 2007-01-21.
  40. ^ "Australia 'must adapt' to global warming". ABC. 2007-02-03. Retrieved 2007-02-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ Davies, Anne (10 November 2007). "States sign on to carbon trading scheme". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2007-09-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  42. ^ Johnston, Tim (2007-08-24). "Far-Reaching Policy for Aborigines Draws Their Fury". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-08-28. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
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