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Australian PM sets out priorities
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said national security and the economy will be priorities for his fourth term in office. After the success of his conservative coalition in Saturday's election, Mr Howard confirmed he would keep Australian troops in and around Iraq. Australia has 900 troops stationed in the Gulf on non-combat missions. The prime minister also pledged to keep the economy strong, and to continue cooperation "against terrorism". The BBC's Phil Mercer in Sydney says Mr Howard is also expected to pursue closer trade and defence ties with Australia's South East Asian neighbours. In the first news conference of his fourth term, Mr Howard said the strong mandate his National-Liberal coalition received would not lead to radical change. "We're not going to allow this enhanced position to go to our heads," he told reporters on Monday. "That would be a big mistake and the Australian public would not appreciate it," he added. During the election campaign the prime minister promised to improve his country's anti-terrorism efforts across South East Asia. They include plans to deploy squads of Australian police officers in neighbouring countries and to establish a joint intelligence training centre. Our correspondent says trade is also expected to be a key feature of the re-elected Howard government. Trade agreements have already been signed with the United States, Singapore, and Thailand. Similar deals with China and Malaysia may follow. On the domestic front, the administration is expected to try to overhaul industrial legislation to reduce the power of trade unions. It is also planning to sell off the government's remaining multi-billion dollar share in Australia's national telecommunications network. The National-Liberal coalition was returned to office with an increased majority in the lower house, as well as a possible 38-seat blocking majority in the senate. The final results are not expected until later this month, owing to a complex voting system. Mr Howard has presided over a period of great prosperity - a key advantage in the election given the inexperience of the Labor opposition leader, Mark Latham. Mr Latham said he wanted to remain Labor leader, despite criticism of his campaign. Posted by: tipper 2004-10-11 |
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