Introduction -- Australian government responses to human rights in China to 1996 -- The Howard government's responses to human rights in China, 1996-2007 -- Australian government responses to asylum seekers and refugees to 1996 -- The Howard government's responses to asylum seekers and refugees, 1996-2007 -- Australian government engagement with human rights at the UN to 1996 -- The Howard government's engagement with human rights at the UN, 1996-2007 -- Conclusion