‘Mutual obligation’ at the centre of welfare overhaul
The 2001 cabinet examined ways to create more ‘mutual obligation’ as it looked to encourage more Australians off welfare and into work, the cabinet papers reveal.
Cabinet Papers
Chaos in wake of Ansett collapse
The Howard government refused to meet a long list of demands from two of Australia’s richest men derailing the sale of Ansett.
Why Costello’s dream was thwarted
Two events combined convinced the then treasurer to accept the ‘reality’ that John Howard would not hand over the reins in the Coalition’s second term.
Tighten purse strings to fund war
Fiscal discipline was enforced as the treasurer aimed to show a surplus of 2 per cent of GDP after an unexpected deficit.
Tampa standoff gives rise to Pacific solution
A ‘more aggressive approach’ to boat arrivals was being canvassed long before the MV Tampa rescued 433 Middle Eastern asylum-seekers.
Political backlash at GST fuel ‘promise’
Fears of a political backlash over rising fuel prices following the introduction of the GST forced cabinet to act ahead of the November 2001 election.
Warning of dangers in cash aid for homeowners
John Howard and Peter Costello have cautioned governments about introducing new cash incentives for new homeowners, despite doubling grants under the First Home Owners Scheme in 2001.
China is still crucial, say leaders
The key to getting the China relationship back on track is trust and respecting differences, say John Howard and Peter Costello.
Disability stand-off on revised reporting
In 2000, federal cabinet approved a revised national disability strategy that removed the obligation on commonwealth organisations to prepare disability action plans.
Focus was on HIV and bush doctor shortages
A five-year plan that aimed to eliminate the spread of HIV and ambitious proposals to increase the rural health workforce were the biggest items on the health agenda.
Telco in hot water on GST ahead of sell-off
The competition watchdog was raising issues with Telstra’s planned application of the GST less than a month before the tax was due to start.
Howard’s sway on jobs entity
John Howard opposed the closure in February 2000 of the loss-making Employment National because it could be seen as a cut to services in the bush.
Indigenous bridge too far for some ministers
The Howard cabinet was divided over whether ministers should join the walk for reconciliation over the Sydney Harbour Bridge in May 2000.
Kerosene bath reports led to clean-up action
The Howard government agreed to amend the Aged Care Act in August 2000 following reports of elderly residents at a Melbourne nursing home being bathed in kerosene.
Coal-fired plants got tick despite warning
The Howard government’s commitment to an emissions trading scheme facilitated the go-ahead for two major coal-fired projects.
Downer sought way to withdraw Timor force
In August 2000, as the first anniversary of the Australian troop presence in East Timor loomed, the Howard cabinet needed to come up with an exit strategy.
Howard quick to protect Don’s name
John Howard’s cabinet agreed to prohibit the exploitation of Don Bradman’s name for commercial gain after the PM was approached by the Don’s family.
Regional accords high on economic wish-list
John Howard’s cabinet took key decisions to ramp up its pursuit of free-trade agreements in 2000, singling out the US and the ASEAN grouping as key markets.
Polling drove mutual obligations agenda
Internal government polling presented to cabinet in August 2000 revealed overwhelming public support for its plan to extend mutual obligation requirements beyond the young jobless.
Daylight saving too hard for Goss
In the first year of his government in 1990, Queensland’s first Labor premier in more than 30 years made a bold prediction.
Origins of offshore detention laid bare
The Howard government was confronted with a growing number of frustrated asylum-seekers in immigration detention in the year 2000.
Early green shoots in emissions trading war
John Howard’s cabinet agreed at the turn of the millennium to look at ways industry could obtain credits for early greenhouse gas abatement as insurance against a possible ETS.
High costs forced sidelining of rail and air projects
A second Sydney airport and a fast train between the NSW capital and Canberra were respectively delayed and scrapped altogether by the Howard cabinet in 2000.
$3.2m to highlight neglect of history
In the lead-up to the centenary of Federation on January 1, 2001, the Howard government funded an advertising campaign that embarrassed Australians.
‘Debt necessary but a burden on future generations’
John Howard, John Anderson and Peter Costello urge the Morrison government to aim for future budget surpluses.
Biggest tax reform in our history
Peter Costello believes the Howard Cabinet would not have introduced the GST in its third or fourth terms because it lacked courage for bold reforms.
Huge operation to stop Olympics attack
The Howard government prepared for a terrorist attack on the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Transfer of power that never happened
In 2000, Peter Costello still hoped that John Howard would honour an agreement to step aside from the prime ministership and facilitate a leadership transition.
GST experience shows way for tax reform
The release of cabinet papers from the late 1990s offers lessons for today’s policymakers.
Waterfront dispute a striking omission
There is no mention of Chris Corrigan’s 1998 assault on wharfies in the newly released documents.
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