The center-left rulingLaborParty has traditionally backed abolition, while members of the center-right opposition Liberal-National coalition have tended, like Mr. Howard, to be monarchists.
Many of the government tangles on enterprise come from the states, where Labor has been entrenched and pitted against the ruling Liberal Party at the national level.
The centimillionaire is considered to be a possible contender to replace current President Jacob Zuma as the head of the ruling African National Congress party and is historically considered a labor hero.