Like his friend former US President George W Bush, John Howard has become the target of an angry shoe-thrower.
The incident happened last Friday during a speech at Cambridge University in England, where the former Australian prime minister was speaking on the topic of leadership in the new century.
Jonathan Laurence, who organised the event as the president-elect of the Cambridge Union, said he found the incident quite surprising because shoe-thrower made his move at the start of the talk.
He described the man as a "long-haired Australian" who shouted at Mr Howard, telling him to go home and accusing him of being a racist.
"John Howard said I am not racist and I'm going home on Tuesday," Mr Laurence said.
"There was a pause, and then he got up and tried to throw a shoe but it was the weakest throw in the world."
"I mean it shows why you lot lost the Ashes, if you don't mind me saying."
Speaking to ABC Radio's Red Symonds, Mr Laurence said Mr Howard had not said anything to prompt the outburst and he continued the speech with "good grace".
"The best part of the story is that the person who threw the shoe then later got one of his friends to ask for it back. You know, he couldn't even walk home with one shoe," he said.
"He just left immediately afterwards."
Mr Laurence said it was a bizarre act because the man had a chance to speak directly to Mr Howard in the question and answer session after the speech.
"If he had a beef with Mr Howard he could have asked him about it and had John Howard answer," he said.
"So you know, I think it was a completely pointless act actually."
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