Brisbane Times | Howard: Budget 'had to be done' NEWS.com.au FORMER Prime Minister John Howard has showered the budget with praise. Mr Howard said he “strongly supported” the age pension age being raised to 70-years-old as it “had to be done” given the ageing population. He labelled Australia's welfare system ... Whose rule book is Abbott playing from? Federal Budget 2014: John Howard predicts pain for battlers |