PM Transcripts

4A USRA I IA L&
FOR PRESS 24 MAY 1977
MINISTER ASSISTING THE PRIME MINISTER
Mr. John Howard, the Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs,
has been appointed also Minister Assisting the Prime Minister.
He will continue to hold his present portfolio.
Mr. Howard will be assisting across the whole range of
matters handled by the Prime Minister other than the areas
covered by other Ministers assisting the Prime Minister.
Mr. Howard will handle some policy matters on the Prime Minister's
behalf and, in particular, he will relieve the Prime Minister of
some of the day-to-day administrative load.
Mr. Howard will work closely with the Prime Minister's office
and keep the Prime Minister fully briefed on matters he is
handling on his behalf. Mr. Howard will begin his new duties
immediately.
Mr. Howard was educated at Earlwood Primary School and Canterbury
Boys' High School. He matriculated to Sydney University and
graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Laws.
Mr. Howard practised as a Solicitor in Sydney until his election
as the Member for Bennelong in May 1974. In March 1975 he became
Shadow Minister for Consumer Affairs and Commerce, and on the
election of the Fraser Government in December 1975 he was
appointed Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs.
He is a former Vice President of the New South Wales Division
of the Liberal Party.