Labor had crafted its own statement of allegiance, dropping all reference to the Queen, her heirs and successors.
Mr Howard’s version heralds the return of the Queen, but it puts the people of Australia first and, with a vote on a republic due before the end of the century, there is no reference to the monarch’s heirs and successors.
It was a God-fearing ministry that trooped into the Government House drawing room – every minister swore the oath, and a couple even brought their own Bible. This was quite a departure from the Keating ministry’s swearing-in three years ago – at that time, only 13 ministers held the Bible, and 15 opted to make a God-free affirmation.
At the invitation of Sir William, friends and families of the new ministers crowded in to Government House. But the invitation was limited – for the first time in memory – not one newspaper journalist was allowed through the front gates.
As Mr Howard drove away, the Australian flag could be seen fluttering from its post on the Prime Minister’s car. It was the first time for years – Mr Keating didn’t care for such a display.
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Later, Mr Howard and his ministers filed into the Cabinet room that has been the exclusive province of Labor ever since the new Parliament House was opened in 1988.
There were jokes about the ghosts inhabiting the place, and a critical inspection of the famed Gould lithographs of Australian birds, chosen by Mr Keating and which, at a cost of $90,000, had earned the former Prime Minister a round of controversy about extravagance.
