The year 1996 will long be remembered as the year of the two
Hs -- Howard and Hanson. Firstly, in March 1996 John Howard
won a stunning electoral victory, sweeping the Liberal-National
Coalition back into power after thirteen years in the wilderness.
Then, in the second half of the year, the so-called Hanson phenomenon
seemed to take the country by storm as Pauline Hanson gave voice to
views on race, immigration, welfare and national identity that had sim-
mered under the surface of Australian life during the politically correct
1990s. The contrast with the previous twelve months could not have been
greater. At that time we had the then prime minister, Paul Keating, in full
flight seeking to transform Australia in line with his 'big picture'. Australia
was to be multicultural, Asianised, forced to become more international in
its outlook, as it moved towards the republic we had to have. In the process
Australia was to throw off the shackles of its past, which stood condemned
as racist, sexist and in thrall to the British. Keating was to lead the coun-
try into a new era, in which the sins of the past would be washed away.

In many ways Howard and Hanson represent the revenge of that past
on the hubris of the present. They do not view the Australian past as
something to be ashamed of, but as a source of pride. Howard said that he
felt 'comfortable and relaxed' with the state of Australia; he condemned

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