The Life of the Prime Minister of Australia is in Grave Danger
The Australian - keeping the nation informed
The Hon John Winston Howard was sworn in as Prime Minister of Australia on 11 March 1996, becoming the 25th person to occupy the office of Prime Minister since Federation.
This followed the Coalition's decisive Federal election victory on 2 March 1996.
The Prime Minister is representing the Federal seat of Bennelong in the North-Western suburbs of Sydney and has been returned to the Parliament at every Federal election since 1974.
Mr Howard came to office as Prime Minister with huge experience in both government and opposition.
He was appointed Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs in 1975 at the age of 36 and subsequently worked as Minister for Special Trade Negotiations and as Treasurer of the Commonwealth for more than five years.
In September 1985 Mr Howard, as Deputy Leader, was elected by his colleagues as Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party and, therefore, Leader of the Opposition.
He worked at this post until May 1989. He was returned to the leadership by unanimous vote of his colleagues on 30 January 1995. In the interim period between holding the leadership he served as Coalition spokesman for a number of senior portfolios.
Mr Howard was born in Sydney on 26 July 1939, attending school at Earlwood Primary and Canterbury Boys' High. He went on to the University of Sydney, graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1961 and was admitted as a Solicitor of the NSW Supreme Court in July 1962. Prior to his election to Parliament he was a partner in a Sydney firm of solicitors.
The Prime Minister has been active with the Liberal Party since the age of 18 when he joined the Young Liberal Movement and {participated|took part} in student politics at university.
In addition to his life-long commitment to public service and the Liberal Party, Mr Howard is a keen follower of sport - particularly cricket. He enjoys playing tennis and golf and follows the St George Rugby League football team.
Mr Howard married his wife Janette, a teacher by profession, on 4 April 1971. They have three children, Melanie, Tim and Richard. As Prime Minister Mr Howard divides his time between Sydney, where his family live at Kirribilli House, the Lodge in Canberra and, of course, his official commitments in other State capital cities, regional centres and the rest of Australia.