From Turnbull to Morrison

From Turnbull to Morrison
Author: Mark Evans
Publisher: Melbourne University
Total Pages: 406
Release: 2019-08-23
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 9780522876550

Is trust between the government and Australians broken? The country's leading institutions have been ranked among the least trusted in the world at a time when the economy has experienced twenty-seven years of economic growth. This has all happened since the 2016 federal election under the revolving prime ministerships of Malcolm Turnbull and Scott Morrison's first term. Turnbull was the fourth sitting prime minister in a decade to be removed by his own party. What role do these politically turbulent times play in this trust deficit? Scott Morrison has now been elected by the people. What does he and future prime ministers need to do to reboot civic belief in politics? How will history judge the contribution of the Turnbull and Morrison administrations? In From Turnbull to Morrison well-known political journalists including Michelle Grattan, George Megalogenis, Megan Davis, Virginia Haussegger, Mark Kenny and Katharine Murphy and leading academics such as Frank Bongiorno, Mark Evans, Susan Harris-Rimmer, Anne Tiernan, John Warhurst and George Williams examine the institutions, the issues and the leaders at the heart of this crisis. It is crucial reading for champions of liberal democracy. From Turnbull to Morrison: The Trust Divide is the thirteenth volume of Australia's longest running study of Australian Commonwealth Government, started in 1983.

A Bigger Picture

A Bigger Picture
Author: Malcolm Turnbull
Publisher: Hardie Grant Publishing
Total Pages: 886
Release: 2021-10-13
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1743587988

In A Bigger Picture, the bestselling political memoir of 2020, Malcolm Turnbull, Australia’s 29th prime minister, tells the remarkable story of his life. Now in paperback, this edition is updated with an all-new foreword by the author that sheds light on the huge political and cultural changes happening today. When Malcolm Turnbull took over the nation’s top job there was a sense of excitement in Australia. Sky-high opinion polls followed as the political outsider with a successful business, legal and media career took charge. The infighting that had dogged politics for the best part of a decade looked to be over. But a right-wing insurgency brutally cut down Turnbull’s time in office after three years, leaving many Australians asking, ‘Why?’ Exceptionally candid and compelling, A Bigger Picture is the definitive narrative of Malcolm Turnbull’s prime ministership. He describes how he legalised same-sex marriage, established Snowy Hydro 2.0, stood up to Donald Trump, and many more achievements – remarkable in their pace and significance, and delivered in the teeth of so much opposition. But it’s far more than just politics. Turnbull’s life has been filled with colourful characters and controversies, success and failure. From his early years in Sydney, growing up with a single father, to defending 'Spycatcher' Peter Wright against the UK government; the years representing Kerry Packer, leading the Republican Movement and making millions in business; and finally toppling Tony Abbott to become prime minister of Australia. For the first time he tells it all – in his own words. With revelatory insights on the workings of Canberra and the contentious events of Turnbull’s life, A Bigger Picture explores the strengths and vulnerabilities of one of Australia’s best-known and most dynamic business and political leaders. Lyrically written in highly readable and entertaining prose, this is a genuine page-turner that’s not just for political junkies.

The Accidental Prime Minister

The Accidental Prime Minister
Author: Annika Smethurst
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Total Pages: 232
Release: 2021-09-15
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 073364693X

Nine months after the spill that catapulted him to the prime ministership, Scott Morrison won the 2019 election, shocking politicians and political pundits (and, quite possibly, himself). Yet, unlike his predecessors, little was really known about the former marketing man whose hard-nosed political instincts and 'daggy dad persona' saw him become the 30th Prime Minister of Australia. Voters knew what he allowed them to see - a policy embrace of slogans like 'Stop the Boats'; his deft rebuttal of media enquiries; his love for Jen and his two daughters; that he liked to cook a curry on Saturday nights; and that his faith and the Cronulla Sharks were a big part of his life. But a man is more than sound bites and social media posts. So who the bloody hell is Scott Morrison? In this revealing biography, political journalist Annika Smethurst uncovers the man behind the headlines and slogans to show us what makes Scott Morrison tick. Taking us from his childhood, as the son of a local policeman, to a meeting that would lead to marriage to his teenage sweetheart, The Accidental PM will tell the personal and the political. There are questions about Morrison's early business career and his preselection that, when answered, will paint a clearer picture of the man leading our country and give greater insight into how he won the 'miracle' election. Whether Morrison's ego and temperament will see him falter in hard times or whether he will use the lessons of his life to end the revolving door of PMs to become one of Australia's best prime ministers is still to be discovered. But knowing the man will allow us all to know the path he will lead us on.

Venom

Venom
Author: David Crowe
Publisher: HarperCollins
Total Pages: 307
Release: 2019-09-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1460711718

A cracking account of the rivalries and hatreds that split the Liberal Party, brought down Malcolm Turnbull and propelled Scott Morrison to power. They plotted. They schemed. They unleashed chaos. Australia lost two prime ministers in three years in a period of political bloodshed that took the nation's government to the brink of collapse - until an extraordinary election changed everything. Venom is the secret history of the brutal power play to lead the government. It sheds new light on the fall of Tony Abbott, the rise of Malcolm Turnbull and the electrifying leadership spill that brought parliament to a halt in August 2018. In a day-by-day account, it reveals the strategy Scott Morrison used to defeat his opponents and claim ultimate authority. David Crowe reported these events for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age as they unfolded. Using more than one hundred interviews with the participants, he tells an epic story of revenge, hatred and the ruthless pursuit of power. And he asks whether the future holds any peace when the past is so full of poison. PRAISE 'David Crowe is both wise guide and sage interpreter in this gripping journey through the angry years of Australian politics' Chris Uhlmann 'David Crowe writes with precision and clarity - dissecting the characters, deep rivalries and ideological wars that churned through three Liberal Prime Ministers' Patricia Karvelas 'A compelling read about a time of Liberal madness' Michelle Grattan 'Crowe's book is as good a piece of modern political history as you'll find. It has some failings' Dennis Atkins, The Australian '... a 21st-century contribution to the [revenge tragedy] genre' Jeff Sparrow, Sydney Morning Herald / The Age

The Insider

The Insider
Author: Christopher Pyne
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Total Pages: 216
Release: 2020-06-30
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0733643434

Christopher Pyne has been many things and called many things throughout his long career in politics. Member for Sturt. Minister for Defence. Manager of Opposition Business. Leader of the House. 'The Fixer'. Any Canberra story he doesn't know isn't worth telling. Now, after 26 years, the ultimate insider is outside the House and ready to burst the Canberra bubble with his trademark sharp wit. His revelations of dealings, double dealings, friendships and feuds shine a light on the political processes of those in power: the egos, the sacrifices, the winners, the losers, the triumphs and the failures. From Howard to Rudd, Gillard, Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison, Christopher Pyne has seen and heard it all. The Insider is one of the most brilliant, funny, engaging books by an Australian public figure you'll ever read.

Diplomatic

Diplomatic
Author: Joe Hockey
Publisher: HarperCollins
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2022-04-01
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 146071508X

Traversing the worlds of politics, business and diplomacy, Joe Hockey's Diplomatic is an insightful, honest and at times hilarious insider's memoir recounting the former Australian treasurer's unique diplomatic style. It chronicles the evolution, depth and complexity of the US-Australian relationship, from the final year of the Obama administration, the triumph and chaos of the Trump presidency and then on to the two nations' shared future under President Joe Biden and beyond. In September 2015, Joe Hockey's promising political career was brought to a dramatic end when Malcolm Turnbull successfully challenged Prime Minister Tony Abbott for the Liberal Leadership. After felling the Abbott/Hockey Government, Turnbull informed Hockey that he would no longer be treasurer of Australia - a deal had been struck with Scott Morrison. Instead, Turnbull offered Hockey a new role: Australia's Ambassador to the United States. Based in Washington DC, Ambassador Hockey immediately found himself in the middle of the historic 2016 presidential campaign between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Despite strong objections from his own government, Hockey reached out to the Trump campaign early on. Betting on the electoral appeal of the brash, anti-establishment candidate, Hockey secured priceless early diplomatic contacts within the Trump campaign and then his administration. Anchored by Hockey's direct interaction with Trump's dysfunctional White House, Diplomatic reveals for the first time the aftermath of the leaked phone call between the US president and Prime Minister Turnbull. Hockey recalls his personal dealings with Trump on the golf course and the cavalcade of characters who came in and out of Trump's Oval Office, including Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller and Mick Mulvaney. Donald Trump's unconventional presidency turned politics and diplomatic relations in Washington DC on its head. When Joe Hockey found himself an unlikely diplomat in this new world order, his unorthodox dealmaking instincts placed him in the hot seat at precisely the right moment in history.

First Among Equals

First Among Equals
Author: Kim Wildman
Publisher: Exisle Publishing
Total Pages: 207
Release: 2020-03
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1775594440

Since Federation in 1901, 29 men and one woman have served in the position of Australian prime minister. From Barton to Morrison, they are the leaders who have helped forge Australia’s national identity. Some have had the position thrust upon them. Some have plotted and schemed their way to the top. Four have served more than once. Three have died in office. Eight have been unceremoniously dumped by their own party. Revised and updated to include the appointment of Scott Morrison, the death of Bob Hawke, and life after prime-ministership for Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Malcom Turnbull, this new edition tells the story of each of Australia’s prime ministers, setting their actions in the context of their time. In today’s world of quick-fire politics, it also looks to the future, and to how the public’s perception of politics and its leaders is changing in this era of instant communication and social media scrutiny.

The Game

The Game
Author: Sean Kelly
Publisher: Black Inc.
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2021-11-01
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 1743821980

What happens when the prime minister views politics only as a game? Australia wanted Scott Morrison. In a time of uncertainty, the country chose in 2019 to turn to a man with no obvious beliefs, no clear purpose and no famous talents. That we wanted Scott Morrison was the secret we did not know about ourselves. What precisely that secret is forms the subject of this book. In The Game, Sean Kelly gives us a portrait of a man, the shallow political culture that allowed him to succeed and the country that crowned him. Morrison understands – in a way that no other recent politician has – how politics has become a game. He also understands something essential about Australia – something many of us are unwilling to admit, even to ourselves. But there are things Scott Morrison does not understand. This is the story of those failures, too – and the way that, as his prime ministership continues, Morrison’s failure to think about politics as anything other than a game has become a dangerous liability, both to him and to us.

Red Zone

Red Zone
Author: Peter Hartcher
Publisher: Black Inc.
Total Pages: 336
Release: 2021-05-24
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1743821794

What does China want from Australia? In this incisive and original book, Peter Hartcher reveals how decades of economic dependence left Australia open to the strategic ambitions of the most successful authoritarian regime in modern history. He shows how ideology, paranoia and Xi Jinping’s personal story have reshaped China, and shines new light on Beijing’s overt and covert campaign for influence – over trade and defence, media and politics. Australia has now woken up to China’s challenge, from passing foreign interference laws to banning Huawei from our 5G network. But at what cost? Will we see a further slump in relations? How best to protect our security, economy and identity? Drawing on interviews with Scott Morrison, Malcolm Turnbull and other key policymakers, as well as a rare interview with Australia’s spy chief, Red Zone is a gripping look at China’s power and Australia’s future. “Australia is on the front lines of the global struggle between China and the West over democratic values, and Peter Hartcher, one of the country’s foremost journalists, presents a clear-eyed and utterly frightening account of the challenge we face. Highly recommended ”—Francis Fukuyama “Hartcher’s analysis of Australia’s place in the world is sharp and tenacious. He continues to make an outsized contribution to our democracy.”—Penny Wong “Hartcher’s clear-eyed analysis of the Australia–China relationship is as keen as it is unsettling.”—Malcolm Turnbull

How Good is Scott Morrison?

How Good is Scott Morrison?
Author: Peter van Onselen
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Total Pages: 308
Release: 2021-04-14
Genre: Biography & Autobiography
ISBN: 0733647065

Without fear or favour, How Good is Scott Morrison? examines the trials and tribulations of our 30th prime minister. Investigating Morrison's unlikely rise to the liberal leadership and his miracle electoral win, van Onselen and Errington put his leadership under the spotlight. Covering Morrison's disastrous management of the catastrophic bushfire season that was highlighted by the extraordinary statement, 'I don't hold the hose, mate,' and the decision to holiday while the country burned, How Good is Scott Morrison? shows his resolve and the redemption the government's response to the pandemic brought him. Right now, Scott Morrison seems unassailable and sure to win the next election, but what exactly is his vision for Australia? A pragmatist rather than an ideologue, he is a deeply Pentecostal religious man but he doesn't wear his faith as a badge of honour. So what does he really believe in? When the history of this period is written, Morrison will certainly be seen as an election winner but will he be viewed as having had the courage and vision to change Australia for the better, or the worse?