Costello delivered for the future
Peter Costello reveals Treasury opposed the creation of the Future Fund, which is now worth $230bn.
Cabinet Papers
Rush to lift embassy security after Jakarta blast
A suicide bomber drove a delivery van loaded with a bomb to outside the Australian embassy, where it exploded, injuring 150 people and killing almost a dozen people.
Same-sex marriage anathema to Howard
John Howard’s cabinet pondered banning gay couples from adopting foreign children by legislating against overseas same-sex unions, newly released documents show.
How a ‘rattled’ Howard stared down his party and reformed super
Politicians’ generous super entitlements became a battleground issue in 2004, as Labor leader Mark Latham revitalised the opposition and rivalled Bob Hawke for popularity in opinion polls.
Minister thought Iraq could be free-market model
Staying the course in Iraq was seen as showing commitment to the US alliance, with the potential for the country to become a ‘model’ for the region, former defence minister Robert Hill wrote to John Howard.
Our capital cities not ready for 9/11-style terror attack
Almost three years after the 9/11 attacks, Australia was still unprepared for a suicide plane attack in its major cities and officials warned of a possible 30-second-only warning in Sydney.
Bid to curb land councils and open Top End to exploration, mining
The Howard government weighed a detailed plan to open the Top End to economic development after cancelling an experiment with Indigenous self-government.
Howard and Costello pushed to increase housing supply
The Howard government planned to combat unaffordable housing in 2004 after the number of first-home buyers fell to ‘historical lows’ in the first half of 2003.
Treasury slammed big-spending climate policy
Treasury warned Howard government ministers not to pursue climate policies that relied heavily on regulations, grants and subsidies rather than the market.
Abbott resisted states’ emergency rooms push
The Howard government faced a decline in GP clinics providing after-hours services, a huge overpayment from the Family Tax Benefit and a suite of disability reforms.
Coalition spent $2.2bn on funding for elderly
From a rapidly ageing population to rampant inefficiency, the Howard government faced no shortage of crippling issues in the aged-care industry of 2004.
Government blocks access to top secret Iraq docos
Access to records of high-level briefings about Australia joining the 2003 invasion of Iraq in cabinet’s NSC have been blocked.
Chinese demands and US pressure tested government resolve
The US raised concerns in early 2003 about organisations like AWB Ltd, which was later found to have contravened UN sanctions and provided money to Saddam Hussein’s regime.
Coalition doubled down on Defence
With the nation still reeling and divided over its role in the US-led invasion of Iraq, the Howard government worked to bolster Defence funding.
Modest reforms despite a surplus
John Howard did not let a surplus deter him from budget discipline in 2003.
Struggle to keep lid on premium increases, Medicare costs
From wrestling to contain private health insurance premium increases, to throwing cash at a struggling Health Insurance Commission, the government faced many 2003 health challenges.
Offshore solution comes at a cost
When building an immigration detention centre on Christmas Island proved too ambitious, the government spent millions to keep offshore processing in Nauru and Papua New Guinea.
Shifting priorities in Indigenous affairs
The Howard government co-opted state and territory governments into a national Indigenous health strategy for the first time in 2003.
‘When I’m 64’: the great Beatles backflip
John Howard’s 64th birthday was time for reflection and he decided to stay in the nation’s top job.
How ministers were overruled on emissions trading scheme
Why John Howard rejected a proposal from senior ministers to adopt a market mechanism to decarbonise the economy.
I’d make same decision today: Howard
Newly released records reveal there was no written submission to cabinet on the pros and cons of going to war to disarm Saddam Hussein
PM was ‘sorry’ for GG’s demise
The Howard ministry noted Governor-General Peter Hollingworth’s resignation over how he had handled child abuse allegations while Archbishop.
Return ‘stolen’ tax to middle class, PM told
John Howard and Peter Costello have urged the Albanese government to ignore left-wing pressure on stage three tax cuts, warning taxpayers will be worse off than 20 years ago.
‘Why we never ratified Kyoto was beyond me’: Costello
Peter Costello laments rejection of 1997 Kyoto Protocol as cabinet documents from 2002 reveal Treasury argued for incentives to invest in cleaner energy.
Howard warns on ‘reform fatigue’
John Howard and Peter Costello urge major parties to prioritise deficit and debt reduction to protect the nation from the next major economic shock.
2001: The year that was
Big steps into the digital age, success in the arts and sport, the Tampa affair and terror attacks that transformed the world.
Why Mike Tyson’s bid to visit Australia was KO’d
The Howard cabinet blocked US boxer and convicted rapist Mike Tyson from entering Australia in 2001
Howard government divided on response to climate change
In 2001 the Howard government was negotiating its position for development of a national energy strategy, amid a policy duel between two cabinet ministers.
Papers reveal cabinet caution on Afghanistan
The Howard government initially opposed any long-term military commitment to Afghanistan in the months after the 9/11 terror attacks, the 2001 cabinet papers show.
Defence in chaos over 9/11 threat
Planners concluded Australia was now a likely target for terrorism and that the nation’s counter-terrorist capabilities need to be upgraded.
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