Today, the National Archives of Australia (NAA) released a key selection of records of the Australian Cabinet and its National Security Committee from 2005.
The election in October 2004 had given the Howard government a commanding majority in the House of Representatives. From July 2005, it also obtained control of the Senate, a rare accomplishment for any Australian government.
Freedom from having to negotiate with the Senate cross bench on legislation emboldened the cabinet in several directions. Most significant was the government’s plan to initiate the comprehensive reform of Australia’s industrial relations laws.
