CANBERRA (AFP) - John Howard has been formally sworn in as Prime Minister with his new fourth term ministry by Queen Elizabeth II's Australian representative Governor-General Michael Jeffery.
Howard stormed to a fourth term victory in the October 9 election, winning an increased majority and probable control of the upper house Senate for the first time for any government since 1981.
After an unbroken 13 years of economic growth, Howard's victory was attributed to his government's strong economic credentials and its promise to keep interest rates low.
In front of his new ministry, Howard took the prime ministerial oath of office for the fourth and, most commentators believe, last time.
He is expected to retire during his fourth term and hand over to his heir-designate, treasurer and Liberal Party deputy leader Peter Costello.
In December, Howard will overtake Bob Hawke's eight years and nine months as Australia's second longest serving prime minister after Liberal Party founder, Robert Menzies.
Thirty ministers and 12 parliamentary secretaries were also sworn in.
10/26/2004 - 07:22 GMT - AFP