Former Prime Minister John Howard on Australia’s Future, Political Rivals & Immigration Policies

In this episode of Straight Talk, I sit down with former Prime Minister John Howard — Australia’s second-longest-serving PM — for an unfiltered conversation about leadership, politics, and the lessons that shaped his life.

We speak about:
Early years in Earlwood
Education and early professional life
Interest in politics and transition from law to public office
Early parliamentary years
Challenges as Treasurer and major tax reforms
Introduction of the GST
Time as PM
Gun law reforms and impact on public safety
Relationships with world leaders
Kerry Packer & Rupert Murdoch
State of leadership in Australia today
Immigration policy and national direction

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00:00 Introduction and Reflections on the Past
03:00 Early Life and Family Background
05:55 Education and Early Career
08:50 Political Aspirations and Influences
14:37 Treasurer’s Challenges, Tax Reform & economic policies
33:23 Middle Australia & Changes in Australian Society and Politics
39:23 Reflections on Political Rivals and Leadership
42:10 Advice to Aspiring Politicians
44:39 Developing GST
50:26 Are We Going to See 2 or 3 Terms of Labor?
51:11 Reflections on Gun Control in Australia
55:20 The Impact of Mortgage & Economic Policies
01:02:43 Labor’s New Super Tax
01:05:55 Relationships with the US, UK & Other Allies
01:14:33 Albanese & Trump
01:18:20 Kerry Packer, Rupert Murdoch & Kerry Stokes
01:22:32 Peter Dutton & Future of the Liberal Party
01:27:39 Ugly Side of Politics
01:28:57 Treasurer & Foreign Ministers Roles
01:34:06 Australia’s Future & Immigration
01:37:48 Sports & Personal Interests
01:40:36 PM Experience
01:43:36 Family & Support