Australian Prime Minister John Howard said on new year's day that his government will focus on national security and continued economic growth in 2006.

In a brief new year's message, Howard praised Australia's international reputation earned last year, describing the country as strong and respected.

But he did not mention Australia's role in the war of Iraq, a security issue which drew him more criticism than approval in recent polls.

He said: "Our nation's standing abroad has never been higher" as last year showed Australia as a "compassionate country with a big heart" in an apparent reference to Australians' donation, one of the biggest in the world, to regional countries suffering the Boxing day tsunami a year ago.

Howard vowed to continue economic reforms in the new year, describing it as a key to continue the strong economic growth.

Source: Xinhua