Quoting from P. S. News. Edition Number 564f. Updated Friday 18 August 2017. http://www.psnews.com.au/aps/564/news/new-library-brings-ex-pm-to-book?utm_source=aps564&utm_medium=email&utm_content=news1&utm_campaign=newsletter_aps
New library brings ex-PM to book
A new library is to be established at Canberra’s Old Parliament House by the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
The new Howard Library will deal with the inner workings of the Federal Coalition Government led by John Howard between 1996 and 2007 and will house a collection of non-official documents, personal papers and memorabilia from Mr Howard’s time as Prime Minister.
Library Director, Tom Frame said the library would promote and advance the principles of public leadership through research and education.
“The Howard Library is apolitical and non-partisan, it is simply presenting material for others to study and assess,” Professor Frame said.
He said the library’s collection included Mr Howard’s desk which was first used by Prime Minister, Stanley Bruce in 1927; costumes Mr Howard wore at meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’ and gifts from world leaders.
He said the galleries would provide an overview of public events and profile political leaders during the Howard years and include an archive containing every Government report produced in that time.
Welcoming the Library’s creation, Mr Howard said the displays were intended to remind visitors of the challenges the Government faced and the priorities it sought to pursue at a time when ideas mattered.
“Public documents reveal the advice provided to the Government, the basis upon which the Cabinet made a particular decision, and why a certain course of action was pursued,” Mr Howard said.
“I fully accept that Australians will have different opinions of my Government’s performance and of my leadership, but these views and assessments will be more compelling and persuasive when based on public records as well as media reporting and political commentary.”
UNSW Canberra already holds the official John Howard Collection which was transferred from the National Archives of Australia to the Australian Defence Force Academy Library at Mr Howard’s request.
Professor Frame said that as several major military operations were initiated or sustained by his Government, Mr Howard believed his papers were more likely to be consulted at UNSW Canberra with its 50-year connection to Australia’s uniformed community.
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