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Ex-Australian PM Howard home from hospital stay

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-06 21:01

In this May 17, 2006 file photo, then Australian Prime Minister John Howard speaks at the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations in Chicago. [Agencies]

CANBERRA: Former Australian prime minister John Howard returned home Sunday after two days in the hospital for a severe allergic reaction, a lawmaker said.

The 70-year-old Howard, who was prime minister for 11 years before his party was swept from power in late 2007, was discharged Sunday morning and was able to celebrate Father's Day at home, opposition lawmaker Tony Abbott said.

Howard was having routine dental work done Friday when he had a severe reaction to the anesthetic and was rushed to a hospital, Abbott said, adding that "there'll be no long-term effects whatsoever."

"I spoke to him this afternoon and he was chirpy, joking and saying what a pleasant Father's Day he'd had," Abbott said.