A Sense of Balance

On how our sense of balance has defined us as a nation and will safeguard our future.

In the years that John Howard served in the national parliament he came to understand the special character of Australia; to appreciate its strengths and weaknesses; and most importantly to respect the sense of balance in the formulation of public policy that has long defined us as a nation and made Australia an attractive destination for people from across the world.

In this book he explores this balance, its foundations and its future. Written against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as some of the more contested political events of recent years - the election of Donald Trump, the Brexit vote, the rise of China, and, within our own country, a carousel of six prime ministers in eleven years - these reflections touch on how Australia has responded to pressure over the last decade or so. Commentary on these subjects from politicians, opinion writers and social media can sometimes seem shrill and divisive. Australia's 25th and second longest serving prime minister has faith that no matter what challenges and extremes threaten to upset our sense of balance, the country's institutions and people will remain robust into the foreseeable future.

About the Author

John Howard was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, serving from March 1996 to December 2007.Despite an early meteoric rise to become Australia's Treasurer at 38, the self-described economic radical and social conservative found himself sidelined by his own party. After many years in the political wilderness, Howard bounced back, led the Coalition to a resounding victory, then got to work on his reform agenda.