Howard's Fourth Government

This is the ninth volume in ""Australian Commonwealth Administration Series"". It builds on previous volume that covered second and third governments. A diverse group of scholars provide a timely and insightful assessment of Howard's final term in office.This book looks at the administrative and leadership style of former Prime Minister John Howard's fourth and final term in government (2004-2007). Organised into three sections, it begins with a group of essays that reflect on key governance issues such as privatisation, the management of the Howard Government's Senate majority, and issues relating to accountability and ethics. The second section examines policy issues that dominated the fourth term, such as management of the economy, rural politics (particularly wheat and drought), industrial relations, indigenous policy and foreign affairs. The third section provides an overall assessment of Howard's leadership style during this period and finally concludes that Howard's faltering political skills on key issues may have ultimately secured his defeat.