Howard’s power to deregulate

Australia is bracing itself for a renewed round of conservative reform following Prime Minister John Howard’s fourth election victory, handing him power not enjoyed by any Government for more than two decades.

The unexpected surge in support that defied earlier polling and increased his majority in the House of Representatives also appears likely to allow him to control the Senate, previously a wilful chamber dominated by Labor and minor parties.

Business organisations are already lining up with their wish- lists for new industrial and other controversial laws that had been blocked in the Upper House by anti-Howard forces.

Howard’s stunning victory also ensures that his United States-oriented foreign policy will continue to tighten ties with Washington and embroil Australian forces overseas.

The nation’s troops will remain indefinitely in Iraq – rather than coming home as Labor leader Mark Latham had intended if he won power – and Australia will continue its involvement in such American initiatives as the ‘son of star wars’ missile defence programme.

US President George W. Bush was among the first world leaders to congratulate Howard.

‘Australia is a great ally in the war on terror, and John Howard is the right man to lead that country,’ Bush said, confirming the support Washington had expressed for the Prime Minister in the run-up to the campaign. “