[1] The term was first used to describe an agreement made in November 1988 between Prime Minister Bob Hawke, and his Treasurer Paul Keating, which was effected at Kirribilli House.
Whilst still in opposition, John Howard reached a similar agreement with Peter Costello in December 1994 which was witnessed by the Liberal MP Ian McLachlan.
[4] After Howard became Prime Minister, approaching his 64th birthday and after two and a half terms in 2003, he asserted his intention to stay on as leader.
Speculation throughout 2005 saw multiple cabinet ministers begin to be mentioned as possible successors to Howard, including Brendan Nelson, Alexander Downer, Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull; of the four, Downer had already been Liberal leader and the remaining three would all serve as Liberal leader in the future.
[6] The term has also been applied in various Australian state political environments including with Colin Barnett and Troy Buswell[7] and with Mike Nahan and Liza Harvey[8] in Western Australia; with Peter Beattie and Anna Bligh in Queensland; and in sport.