Summary heading

John Howard, Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs 1975–77

Function and purpose

The series consists of correspondence, associated papers and reports, from theHon John Winston Howard's term as Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs (1975–1977). Mr Howard was sworn in to the Fraser-Anthony Coalition ministry on 22 December 1975. As Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs, John Howard formed part of the Coalition’s ‘outer ministry’. Following the report of a Senate select committee in 1975, Howard worked with State Attorneys-General to establish the National Companies and Securities Commission and directed amendments to the Trade Practices Act to outlaw union black bans.

The series includes records of: correspondence with Australian Federation of Consumer Organisations Incorporated (AFCO); meetings with consumer groups; conferences with State Ministers for Consumer Affairs; consumer protection research, correspondence and reports; amendments to Customs Bills and Trade Practices; and, papers and newspaper reports relating to the introduction of the UPC (Universal Product Code) barcode system.

System of arrangement and control

The series did not have an apparent system of arrangement and control. A single number system was imposed by Archives. As most items had no titles, titles were also provided by Archives.

Sources

NAA: CP 197; the Hon John Winston HOWARD AC, OM

National Archives of Australia, ‘John Howard - Before office’; National Archives of Australia, http://primeministers.naa.gov.au/primeministers/howard/before-office.aspx, accessed 25 October 2016

Wikipedia, ‘John Howard’, Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Howard, accessed 25 October 2016