John Howard

2022 - 5 - 17

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

'Hello it's John Howard calling': former PM says Liberal party asked ... (The Guardian)

The current prime minister is unpopular in city marginal seats, so the Coalition is banking on robocalls and letterbox drops from Howard to sway voters.

And to vote for an independent could risk a hung parliament, which would mean gridlock and be disastrous for our country,” Howard said. “In these very uncertain times, he and the Liberal team are the best choice to ensure a strong future for our wonderful nation.” In an interview on Sky News on Tuesday, Howard sought to play down Morrison’s popularity, and explained he was “working hard for the Liberal party both to repay the enormous support it gave me for many years”. Liberal party sources admit party research shows Morrison is unpopular in these areas. Mr Albanese simply has not presented a credible alternative. In his mail-outs, Howard rallied further against the teal independents, suggesting the candidates were “not being upfront about their real intention, which is to bring down the Liberal government”.

Nervous Liberals call on John Howard, veteran of ticklish times (The Sydney Morning Herald)

The former prime minister has made a flying visit to Melbourne to help out three battlers who are doing it tough: Liberal MPs Gladys Liu, Katie Allen and ...

It was early in the day. “We thought we’d done a reasonable job, the economy was booming and everything, but the mob started to say they wanted a change,” he said. “Oh,” the former PM said airily, “I just think that the longer you’re in office, the harder it is to win.” He was pretty clearly reflecting on his own period, when, after 11 years in government, he lost not only the government benches but his own seat of Bennelong. He then moved on to wealthy Higgins, where Liberal member Katie Allen is in the sights of both Labor and the Greens. Howard stumped around a pre-poll courtyard, happily posing for selfies with voters and merrily shaking the hands of volunteers, including those of the Greens and Labor. Former prime minister Tony Abbott is tied up in Sydney defending Warringah candidate Katherine Deves as “a tough, brave person who’s standing up for the rights of women and girls, for fairness in sport”.

Former Prime Minister John Howard campaigns in marginal ... (9News)

Former Prime Minister John Howard has joined the Liberal Party campaign trail in Melbourne, lending his sup...

"You pay on results and the results he's achieved have been amazing," he said. "I need all the help I can get and so does he," Howard said while campaigning in Kooyong. Pounding the pavement in Melbourne on Tuesday, he drew praise from all sides, but some questioned why it was all about a former leader and not the party's current leader, Scott Morrison.

John Howard in Melbourne trying to rescue some of Melbourne's ... (Brisbane Times)

Former PM John Howard joined the Liberal Party campaign trail today, lending his support to vulnerable MPs in marginal Melbourne seats.

We’re working to restore it. We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. John Howard in Melbourne trying to rescue some of Melbourne's key marginal seats.

John Howard in Melbourne trying to rescue some of Melbourne's ... (WAtoday)

Former PM John Howard joined the Liberal Party campaign trail today, lending his support to vulnerable MPs in marginal Melbourne seats.

We’re working to restore it. We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. John Howard in Melbourne trying to rescue some of Melbourne's key marginal seats.

Former PM's annoying voicemails (NEWS.com.au)

Former prime minister John Howard has lent his voice to robocalls targeting vulnerable NSW Liberal seats, urging voters not to risk “disastrous” change.

“In these very uncertain times, he and the Liberal team are the best choice to ensure a strong future for our wonderful nation,” he wrote. In addition to the robocalls, Mr Howard has lent his signature to letterbox drops, and has popped up for campaign appearances alongside Liberal MPs and candidates. In his pre-recorded phone calls to NSW voters, Mr Howard tells them “there’s a lot at stake” this election and “now is not the time to risk change”.