Nick Economou, a senior politics lecturer, described Mr Howard's reign as "a dreadful government that went on for a very long time".

"I don't think history is going to judge him very well. Howard will probably be seen as a tenacious politician who could cling on to power. There is nothing else for him to be remembered for."

He said the former government had been tarnished by its "indulgence in race politics", its "politicisation" of the army, a scandalised Immigration Department, support for the Iraq conflict on a false premise and the Iraq wheat-for-oil scandal.

He said despite the Government's claims, the Reserve Bank and the Treasury Department had the greatest role in Australia's economic strength. "There has been a time of economic prosperity, but I regard it as a period of wasted opportunity."

During last Saturday's federal election, swings to Labor were upwards of 5 per cent in south-east seats, jeopardising Jason Wood's hold on La Trobe.

Dr Economou predicted six weeks ago to the Journal that the two seats were under threat, despite the incumbents sitting on nominally secure margins.