Howard - Australia - The Liberal Party's John Howard won a fourth term in October 2004. The economy, national security and Australia's involvement in the US-led coalition in Iraq were the big campaign issues. Mr Howard's conservative coalition also won control of the Senate, enabling the smoother passage of legislation through the upper house. Having won approval for the sale of the government's stake in the telecom giant Telstra, the prime minister has in his sights labour reform and new laws on media ownership. Mr Howard, who reached retirement age in July 2004, has said he will lead the Liberal Party for as long as its members want him to. He first took office in 1996, winning a landslide victory over his Labor Party rival, and was re-elected in 1998 and in 2001, when his conservative coalition won 43.1% of the vote. He has highlighted Australia's robust economy, and the approval of a free trade agreement with the US in 2004, as being among his government's key achievements. He has also overseen Australia's growing role on the world stage, with the country's active military role in the US-led war on terror and in regional conflicts. Mr Howard, described by US President George W Bush as a 'man of steel', has promised to keep Australian troops in Iraq for as long as they are needed. Mr Howard, who reached retirement age in July 2004, has said he will lead the Liberal Party for as long as its members want him to. He first took office in 1996, winning a landslide victory over his Labor Party rival, and was re-elected in 1998 and in 2001, when his conservative coalition won 43.1% of the vote. He has highlighted Australia's robust economy, and the approval of a free trade agreement with the US in 2004, as being among his government's key achievements. He has also overseen Australia's growing role on the world stage, with the country's active military role in the US-led war on terror and in regional conflicts. Mr Howard, described by US President George W Bush as a 'man of steel', has promised to keep Australian troops in Iraq for as long as they are needed. The government has sought to redefine its relationship with Australia's Aborigines, proposing a system of 'mutual obligation' regarding welfare payments. The Liberal Party governs in a centre-right coalition with the conservative National Party. Born in Sydney in 1939, John Howard is married and has three children. He worked as a solicitor before entering parliament in 1974. Australia's parliament has a lower chamber, the House of Representatives, and an upper house, the Senate. Individual states have their own parliaments.