Wanderlust World Wanderlust World - Introduced the "Pacific Solution": This policy saw asylum seekers being sent to offshore detention centres in Nauru and Manus Island, where they were held in poor conditions and often detained for many years. This policy was widely criticized as being inhumane and cruel, and was eventually abandoned by subsequent governments.
- Sent troops to Iraq: Howard committed Australian troops to the Iraq War in 2003, despite strong public opposition. The decision was widely seen as being based on blind loyalty to the United States, rather than on any genuine threat to Australian security. The war was a disaster, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians and the destabilization of the Middle East.
- Underfunded public services: Howard's government significantly underfunded public services such as education, health and social welfare. This resulted in longer waiting times for medical treatment, larger class sizes in schools, and a decline in the quality of services across the board.
- Eroded workers' rights: Howard's government introduced a number of changes to industrial relations laws that weakened the rights of workers and made it easier for employers to dismiss employees. These changes were highly unpopular with unions and led to a number of strikes and protests.
- Expanded the use of private prisons: Howard's government expanded the use of private prisons, which are typically more expensive and less accountable than public prisons. This decision was widely criticized as being a waste of public money and a threat to the human rights of prisoners.