42 Facts About Keating government

Keating government was the federal executive government of Australia led by Prime Minister Paul Keating of the Australian Labor Party from 1991 to 1996.

The government followed on from the Hawke government after Paul Keating replaced Bob Hawke as Labor leader in an internal party leadership challenge in 1991.

The Keating government was defeated in the 1996 federal election and was succeeded by the John Howard's Coalition government.

Keating government went on to briefly serve as Minister for Northern Australia during the final days of the Whitlam government in 1975.

Labor, led by Bob Hawke went on to defeat Fraser at the subsequent 1983 federal election and Keating government began a long period of service as the nation's Treasurer.

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Keating government had no tertiary qualifications and just previously three weeks experience as a minister.

Keating government formed a powerful partnership with Hawke to deliver numerous reforms; subsequently, Hawke initially agreed to stand down after the 1990 election in Keating's favour, but later reneged on this proposal, causing tension between the two.

On 3 June 1991, Keating government challenged Hawke for the leadership, lost the ballot and went to the backbench.

Three years later, Keating government again led the party to the 1996 federal election, in which it was soundly defeated by the John Howard-led Liberal-National Coalition: the Liberals won 75 seats, and the National Party a further 19 to Labor's 49.

In 1992, Keating government refused to allow his Treasurer John Dawkins to appear before a senate estimates committee and described the Upper House of the Parliament as consisting of "unrepresentative swill".

Keating government made improvements to the family benefits system, continuing a major policy of the Hawke government.

Keating government sold government business enterprises Qantas, CSL Limited and Commonwealth Bank.

Keating government introduced mandatory detention for asylum seekers with bipartisan support in 1992.

Government's agenda under Keating included creating an Australian republic, reconciliation with Australia's Indigenous population, and furthering economic and cultural ties with Asia.

In February 1992, Paul Keating government announced that he wanted Australia to change its national flag because it contained the union jack within its design.

Later that month, Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia for the Sydney Council's 150th anniversary and Keating government greeted the Queen with a speech in which he spoke of a growing "national purpose" and "independence" in Australia.

Keating government was then accused by the British press of breaching protocol by putting his arm around the Queen's back.

On 27 April 1992, Keating government visited Kokoda in a conspicuous effort to shift Australia's war remembrance focus away from our role in assisting Britain at Gallipoli and in Europe in the First World War and towards Australia's Pacific War effort, and the New Guinea Campaign which saw Australian soldiers halt the advance of Japanese troops.

Keating government proceeded with measures to remove the symbolism of Monarchy in Australia – removing reference to the Queen from Citizenship and Ministerial Oaths.

Keating government advocated a minimalist change model involving parliamentary appointment of a president – this was criticised by members of the ALP left and by the new leader of the Australian Democrats, Cheryl Kernot who wanted more substantial change, such as direct election.

On 18 September 1993, Keating government met with the Queen at Balmoral Castle and outlined his republican program, which involved a referendum for a transition to a republic by 2001, but for Australian to remain within the Commonwealth of Nations.

The Republic Advisory Committee, chaired by Malcolm Turnbull of the Australian Republican Movement, submitted its report to the government on 5 October 1993 and Keating announced a working party of ministers to develop a paper for cabinet.

Howard, in contrast to Keating government, spoke in favour of the constitutional monarchy, the Australian flag and traditions like the commemoration of ANZAC Day.

In June 1995, in a televised speech to Parliament entitled "An Australian Republic The Way Forward", Keating government outlined a minimalist plan for a republic involving a president selected by a two-thirds majority of Parliament, following nomination by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Keating government gave a high priority to progressing and defining Aboriginal Reconciliation.

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Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established in February 1992 and in 1993 the Keating government passed the Native Title Act in response to the High Court's historic decision in Mabo v Queensland.

Six months after the Mabo Decision, Keating government delivered his Redfern Park Speech to launch the International Year for the World's Indigenous People.

The 1995 Hindmarsh Island Royal Commission called by the Government of South Australian state Keating government ultimately found that the claims had indeed been fabricated, and Tickner became the focus of criticism.

Keating government went on to win the seat and further denounce Keating's cultural and economic agenda in her controversial Maiden Speech to Parliament, saying: "We now have a situation where a type of reverse racism is applied to mainstream Australians by those who promote political correctness and those who control the various taxpayer funded "industries" that flourish in our society servicing Aboriginals, multiculturalists and a host of other minority groups".

Keating government was the first Australian Government to operate in a post-Cold War international environment.

In foreign policy, the Keating government developed bilateral links with Australia's neighbours, in particular with Indonesia, and took an active role in the development of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum, initiating the annual leaders' meeting.

Keating government chose Indonesia as his first international visit as prime minister.

Keating government dismissed Mahatir as a "recalcitrant", resulting in a diplomatic incident, straining bilateral relations Nevertheless, Keating government's broader hopes for APEC were ultimately achieved.

Hawke Keating government committed Australian naval forces to the 1991 Gulf War in support of the United States led coalition against the Saddam Hussein Iraqi regime's invasion of neighbouring Kuwait.

The Keating government despatched medical staff to aid in the belated UN Mission to that nation.

The ongoing occupation of East Timor by Indonesia by the undemocratic Suharto government and events like the 1991 Dili massacre, contributed to a large degree of popular disapproval of closer defence ties to Indonesia, nevertheless, Keating announced the conclusion of a security agreement with Jakarta in 1995.

However, the tax cut law was repealed following the election, with the Keating government instead announcing the money would be put into superannuation.

Keating government told voters: "if you don't understand it, don't vote for it and if you do understand it, you'd never vote for it".

Keating government led Labor to an unexpected election victory, with an increased majority, and his "true believers" victory speech became famous.

The Keating government had supplemented expenditure through asset sales, such as the sale of Qantas.

Keating government called for industrial relations reform and proposed an increased spending on environmental challenges, to be in part funded by the partial sale of telstra.

Keating government promised to restore the prime minister's attendance at question time in parliament.