The prime minister effectively channeled grief over terror-and successive military operations-into a high approval rating.

Mario Canseco

John Howard recently marked seven years as Australia's prime minister. He took over the country after two consecutive Labor governments, led by Bob Hawke and Paul Keating. The Liberal Party had been out of office since 1983, and it took a coalition with the Nationals to allow Howard a chance to finally administer the commonwealth in 1996.

Howard began his tenure with a series of controversial decisions, including the sale of communications carrier Telstra. In late 1999, Australia held a referendum on its status, and voters rejected the idea of becoming a republic. The monarchist side—presided by Howard—survived an aggressive and divisive campaign, which included ads warning about Camilla Parker Bowles appearing in the country's dollar bills.

Still, nothing could have prepared Howard for the tests to come in the new century. When the prime minister visited United States president George W. Bush in his Texas ranch last May, the two leaders bestowed compelling similarities. The American head of state translated grief into high numbers after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Howard also stopped a downward trend in his approval rating with his actions during the aftermath of the 2002 Bali bombing, where 88 Australian citizens were killed.

The early months of 2003 were difficult for the prime minister, as opposition parties quickly criticized the push for war against Saddam Hussein's regime. As was the case in Britain and the United States, Australia was the site of many anti-war demonstrations. Opposition to the Iraqi conflict was as high as 76 per cent in January. As Australian soldiers joined the coalition, antagonism gave way to concern.

The coincidences between Bush and Howard have receded in the last few weeks. While Bush has seen his rating plummet over shady intelligence sources, Howard was able to maintain his support base, a feat particularly commendable given the fact that a majority of Australians cast doubts on their executive's pre-war assessment. 67 per cent of respondents to a July Newspoll feel the Australian government misled the public over Iraq's genuine weapons capabilities.

The decision that effectively turned fortunes around for Howard came just last month, with the deployment of 2,000 troops to the Solomon Islands. An Australia-led peacekeeping effort—the biggest military intervention in the region since World War II—is aimed at ridding the troubled country from the constant threat of guerrillas and a dreary financial situation. The prime minister felt action was justified, warning that insolvent countries could become bases for violent militants.

The undertaking has been effective so far, as the Malaita Eagle Force armed group agreed to surrender a cache of weapons. Talks are underway to seek a similar agreement with Harold Keke, leader of the main rebel organization in the islands.

The Australian electorate appraised these developments as productive steps. 75 per cent of respondents to a Newspoll agreed with their government's involvement in the operation. Howard has stayed away from boastful claims of liberation, riding the first positive occurrences in the islands to a 42 per cent lead as the preferred prime minister over the current opposition leader, Labor's Simon Crean.

After enduring terrorism and participating in back-to-back military interventions, Howard has asserted himself as Australia's pre-eminent politician. The prime minister does not have to face the electorate until 2005, but the wave of support for his policies might entice him to call an early election next year.

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