Media, Populism and Accountability in Australian Politics

The media control of the Howard Government, particularly by Prime Minister John Howard himself, and most particularly in the years from 1996 to 2003, were exceptionally successful. In almost all respects the government has been able to dominate the political agenda, deflect unwelcome public criticism, and present itself as strong, united, and in tune with public opinion. In 2004 and 2005 there has been some dissent within the coalition parliamentary ranks, but this was itself used to present an image of openness and attachment to democratic debate, and the continuing use of media has been very professional and successful. As the Howard Government moves towards its second decade in office, and particularly now that it has secured a majority in both chambers of the Parliament in the session starting in August 2005, there are new brush fires of dissent from within the coalition parties that will test Howard's media management skills. As Malcolm Fraser found in the early 1980s, the majority control of the upper house can make management of government business harder. The need for tight party discipline is reduced when majorities are taken for granted.