Howard to focus on social issues

Canberra - The Australian Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, outlined his plans for his second term of government yesterday, promising…

Canberra - The Australian Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, outlined his plans for his second term of government yesterday, promising a greater focus on social issues and a softer, more caring leadership.

"I'll be a different Prime Minister in many ways than I was last time," he told reporters after a meeting with his government colleagues. "I'll have different goals. I will have different things that I want to achieve."

Mr Howard said the conservative government would not abandon its economic reform agenda but would widen its focus.