John Howard, in turn, praised his successor, looking at Mr Morrison and saying that he had his "total, uncompromising support". He added, "I have every confidence that you will triumph".

The mutual praise came as the current prime minister opened what is the country's first prime ministerial library of its type where the public can view documents and significant items in a very open display.

There are prime ministerial collections in libraries and universities primarily for scholars but the Howard Library is in full public view in a historical setting.

It echoes the American system where presidents have presidential libraries which are often visited by followers of the country's leaders. The organisers said they hoped more prime ministerial libraries would follow.

The Howard Library is in two parts - the public display at the Old Parliament House and the archive of documents held by the University of New South Wales in Canberra occupying 150 metres of shelf.

In the cordial melee before the opening, Mr Howard displayed all his old political skills. He recognised old friends and colleagues, grasping their hands warmly. The air was pierced by cries of "Wow, you remembered!" He seemed aware of where the cameras were. He spoke without notes as he thanked countless people from the podium.

The organisers of the Howard Library say that the new institution in Old Parliament House is politically neutral and simply displays items so the public can understand more about politics and the particular politics of a significant prime ministerial era.

The display includes the suit Mr Howard wore in 1996 when he addressed gun owners following the Port Arthur mass-shooting. There is an identical bullet-proof vest under the jacket so the outline can be seen as it was in the iconic, world-famous picture, though the exhibition organisers don't know if this is the actual vest he wore on the day.

He said at the library opening that he regretted wearing it. He took security advice but actually he thought he was safe.

The display also includes Mr Howard’s desk, first used by his predecessor, Stanley Bruce, in 1923.

There are also costumes worn at conferences of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation organisation, including the Korean national costume, a long flowing robe in silk, much like a woman's night-gown. Mr Howard along with Presidents Vladimir Putin and George W. Bush each wore one.

In the final photo-opportunity, it became the custom at the APEC gatherings to have all leaders dress in the national costume of the host nation - when it was Australia under Mr Howard, he (and apparently his wife) decided the leaders would all wear Driza-Bone coats.

The public display is meant to appeal to people from across the political spectrum. Its director, Professor Tom Frame of UNSW said, “The Howard Library is apolitical and non-partisan."

It was not meant to be a celebration of a particular prime minister. He said, "We aren't trying to say that this is the greatest government that Australia's ever had but it's a government which is significant by its longevity and by the enduring nature of its legacy."

He cited the changes to the tax system with the advent of GST, Mr Howard's stance on immigration and tougher gun law as policies which still have an impact. The Library would offer the public a chance to see the processes of thought and decision-making so that people could make up their own minds.

“When we first approached Mr Howard to gauge his support, it was apparent that his attitude and the university’s approach to the initiative were very similar: the need for private papers and public records to be available that shone light on the challenges and questions the government faced between 1996 and 2007 and for researchers and students to make their own judgements about the period", Professor Frame said.

He hoped it would be a prototype for more prime ministerial libraries.

He said the Howard Library would present material in a neutral way. This would be unlike American presidential libraries, some of which seem like shrines to their subjects, under-emphasising the bad aspects of the presidency and shining a kind light on the achievement.

American presidential libraries are often in each president's home town but the Howard Library is in Canberra, a city Mr Howard chose not to make his home town when he was prime minister.

In welcoming the Library’s creation, he said that the displays were meant to remind visitors of the challenges the government faced and the priorities it sought to pursue.

“Public documents reveal the advice provided to the government, the basis upon which the Cabinet made a particular decision, and why a certain course of action was pursued,” Mr Howard said.