An exchange between former Prime Minister Paul Keating and the Liberal member for O’Connor, Wilson Tuckey, on February 18, 1986, still ranks as one of the more vicious encounters in the House of Representatives.
The House was debating a Matter of Public Importance on Fuel Prices and Taxation. John Howard, then Leader of the Opposition, had spoken first. He was followed by the then Treasurer, Paul Keating. Hansard records events as follows: [Read more…]
John Howard became leader of the Liberal Party for the first time at a bizarre meeting of the parliamentary party called to remove him as deputy leader.
The party meeting was called by leader Andrew Peacock in an attempt to remove Howard from the deputy leadership. Peacock had demanded an assurance from Howard that he would not challenge for the leadership but Howard refused to give one.
A contest between Howard and John Moore saw Howard re-elected deputy leader by 38 votes to 31. Peacock then resigned and Howard was elected leader, defeating Jim Carlton by 57 votes to 6. Neil Brown became deputy leader. [Read more…]
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