Today marks 30 years since we won the 1996 election.
Over the next eleven and a half years, our Coalition Government worked to deliver security, prosperity and opportunity, in the interests of all Australians.
With responsible financial management, we reversed Labor’s deficits and restored Australia’s AAA credit rating.
Internationally, Australia re-asserted the crucial importance of the American alliance and our traditional links with the United Kingdom. We enhanced our relations with nations in our region such as Japan, Indonesia, and China. The Coalition Government never sought to draw a distinction between Australia’s history and her geography.
We repaid $96 billion in debt, and established Australia’s Future Fund.
Our tax reforms replaced outdated indirect taxes with the GST. Substantial income tax relief provided real incentive and reward for effort.
Compulsory unionism was abolished. Workers were provided with more choice.
Waterfront reforms lifted crane rates by around 60 per cent. The establishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission tackled lawlessness on building sites.
Industrial disputes were reduced to their lowest level in over three decades.
From 1996 to 2007, over 2.2 million jobs were created. We halved average inflation and saw interest rates reduced to the levels of the 1960s.
Although strong economic management is part of the Liberal Party’s DNA, we know it is not an end in itself.
With a stronger economy, our government was able to substantially increase funding for services Australians rely on, such as health and education.
We also struck a sensible balance, expanding the choices of families who seek private health insurance, or for their children to go to independent schools.
To keep Australians safe, we invested heavily in Defence and security and worked with allies to meet the challenges following September 11 and the Bali bombings.
Following a great Australian tradition, our Defence and security personnel brought peace and independence to East Timor and delivered stability within our region.
Following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, we took action with the National Firearms Agreement. Since then, the rate of gun deaths and homicides has fallen significantly.
We also took a multi-faceted approach to tackling illicit drugs. This contributed to fewer opioid deaths and lower overall drug use.
After eleven and a half years, we left Australia more prosperous, secure and confident in its future.
Not only was this measured in economic indicators but, for example, in a reversal of the long-term decline in our birth rate.
Enormous credit belongs to our team, including Peter Costello as Treasurer, Alexander Downer as Foreign Minister, and Tim Fischer, John Anderson and Mark Vaile as Deputy Prime Ministers.
We operated as a broad church – as custodians of both the liberal and conservative traditions – and as a strong Coalition.
I am incredibly grateful to Liberal supporters across Australia. I would not have achieved anything in public life without the loyalty and commitment of the Liberal Party.
In recent times our Party has experienced difficulties. At times in Opposition, so did I.
However, our cause remains great, because our values are timeless.
Now more than ever our Party – and our country – is worth fighting for.
Thank you once again for your support of the Liberal Party. It has made – and will continue to make – a very real difference to Australia’s future.
John Howard
Prime Minister of Australia (1996 - 2007)