John Hewson - Federal Political Career

Federal Political Career

Hewson was elected at the 1987 election to the House of Representatives for the affluent Sydney electorate of Wentworth. Prior to his election he was told he would have to give up his Ferrari to get pre selected. however Hewson retained his car despite attracting controversy courtesy of it. He entered Parliament at a time when there was a leadership vacuum on the conservative side of politics. The Coalition lead by John Howard lost the 1987 elections and a majorty of Liberal MPs voted to keep him as leader over his predecessor Andrew Peacock. In September 1988, Howard appointed Hewson shadow finance minister. In May 1989, when Andrew Peacock replaced Howard as Leader, Hewson became shadow treasurer. Prior to Howard's dumping Shadow finance minister Hewson was seen as the real shadow treasurer over Andrew Peacock who was shadow treasurer prior to Howard's disposal. In the lead up to the 1990 election, Hewson performed well against the then-Treasurer Paul Keating. Hewson claimed in December 1989 that Keating was releuctant to debate with him on the economy.