The Curious Story of Malcolm Turnbull, the Incredible Shrinking Man in the Top Hat


Book Description

'Funny, clever and sharper than a bag of pitchforks...' Clementine Ford 'Every time Andrew P Street commits pen to paper is like someone loading a catapult with truth bombs.' Benjamin Law 'Andrew P Street's insight into the Australian political circus is no less serious for being, by turns, droll, quick-witted, tenderly sympathetic and often laugh- out-loud hilarious.' Van Badham The even more elaborately-titled sequel to The Short and Excruciatingly Embarrassing Reign of Captain Abbott, this is a tale of a muddling and middling prime minister and his attempts to steer his inertia-heavy government away from electoral disaster. It details the litany of gaffes, blunders and questionable calls that followed from the bold promise of mature politics offered by Malcolm Turnbull on the day he did Tony Abbott out of the top job. With a whimsical cast of Delusional Conservatives and Mal-contents and the ever-present ghost of the ex-PM rattling his chains, Street attempts to answer the question, 'How did the government win an election when it apparently wasn't sure if it wanted to govern anymore?' Who would have thought Mr Harbourside McMansion would come to this? Andrew P Street offers a unique take on politics Australian style. You know, again.







The Curious Story of Malcolm Turnbull


Book Description

Andrew P Street is an Adelaide-built, Sydney-based journalist, editor, columnist and failed indie rock star responsible for 'View from the Street' in the digital edition of the Sydney Morning Herald. Over the last two decades he's been published internationally in Time Out, Rolling Stone, NME, The Guardian, GQ and Elle. This is the follow up to his bestselling The Short and Excruciatingly Embarrassing Reign of Captain Abbott




The Story of Australia


Book Description

A modern classic: Don Watson’s history of Australia for children of the twenty-first century History told so well it gives us a better idea of who we are – and what we might become. The Story of Australia weaves together the many strands of our nation’s past – ancient and indigenous, colonial and contemporary – to create a fascinating history for all readers, young and old. In clear, succinct language that both children and adults will appreciate, Watson guides readers from the ancient lands of Gondwana, through human settlement, colonisation and waves of migration, to the challenges facing our diverse nation today. Each era is brought to life in a series of beautifully illustrated spreads that capture a particular event or development – or give a snapshot of ordinary Australians at the time. Each chapter ends with a profile of a person, from the oldest Australian ever discovered, Mungo Woman, to pop icon Kylie Minogue. The Story of Australia will be treasured by children and families for years to come. Don Watson is the author of many acclaimed books for adults, including Caledonia Australis, Recollections of a Bleeding Heart, American Journeys, The Bush and Watsonia. This is his first work for children.




Double Disillusion


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the 2016 Australian federal election. Won by the Liberal–National Coalition by the slimmest of margins, the result created a climate of political uncertainty that threatened the government’s lower house majority. While the campaign might have lacked the theatre of previous elections, it provides significant insights into the contemporary political and policy challenges facing Australian democracy and society today. In this, the 16th edited collection of Australian election studies, 41 contributors from a range of disciplines bring an unprecedented depth of expertise to the 2016 contest. The book covers the context, key battles and issues in the campaign, and reports and analyses the results in detail. It provides an evaluation of the role of political actors such as the parties, independents, the media, interest groups and GetUp!, and examines election debate in the online space. Experts from a range of policy fields provide an analysis of election issues ranging from the economy and industrial relations to social policy, the environment, and gender and sexuality. Each of the chapters is written on the basis of in‑depth and original research, providing new insights into this important political event.




The Investment State


Book Description

Historically, the welfare state of the 20th century, which was built on the foundation of an industrial economy, seems poorly adapted to a 21st-century information age. Socially, profound demographic shifts--especially an aging population, increasing numbers of women in the labor force, and surging immigration--pose challenges for traditional programs. Economically, the legacy of social entitlements, which has been addressed through deficit spending, is untenable insofar as they squeeze out essential discretionary programs. Politically, the demise of the Left, signified by Brexit, the election of Donald Trump to the presidency, and less successful populist movements in Europe and Australia, continues a conservative vector in social policy. The confluence of these factors increases the likelihood of reform of a nation's social infrastructure. The Investment State provides a template for future social policy, which can be adapted to cities, states, nations, and international trade agreements. It serves as a sequel to the author's previous book, The Dynamic Welfare State (OUP, 2016)--which included a theory of welfare state decline--by envisioning a new paradigm for social programs.




A Bigger Picture


Book Description

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.




Born to Rule


Book Description

Born to Rule is the unauthorised biography that unravels the many layers of the man who has just become the 29th Prime Minister of Australia. The highs and lows of Malcolm Turnbull's remarkable career are documented here in technicolour detail by journalist Paddy Manning. Based on countless interviews and painstaking research, it is a forensic investigation into one of Australia's most celebrated overachievers. Turnbull's relentless energy and quest for achievement have taken him from exclusive Point Piper to Oxford University; from beating the Thatcher government in the Spycatcher trial to losing the referendum on the republic; from defending the late Kerry Packer—codenamed Goanna—in the Costigan Royal Commission to defending his own role in the failure of HIH, Australia's biggest corporate collapse. He was involved in the unravelling of the Tourang bid for Fairfax, struck it rich as co-founder of OzEmail, and fought his own hotly contested battle for Wentworth. As opposition leader he was duped by Godwin Grech's 'Utegate' fiasco; as the most tech-savvy communications minister he oversaw a nobbled NBN scheme. And now he has assumed the leadership of the Liberal Party for the second time after wresting the prime ministership from first-term PM Tony Abbott. Will Turnbull crash and burn as he has before or has his entire tumultuous life been a rehearsal for this moment?




The Long and Winding Way to the Top


Book Description

Australia likes to celebrate its musical heritage, but there are so many stories that haven't been told. 'Andrew tells us things about the songs that we might not know and things about the songs that no one should ever know. He does it with intelligence and humour, not to mention an acid wit.' - Jimmy Barnes Which band is Australia's premier act for drunk men to hug to? Which dance floor smash owes its existence to an elderly Canadian stand-up team? How does housing affordability threaten Australian rock? Which surprising artist is technically Australia's arguably-more-successful Beatles? Which of our alternative national anthems were written by Americans? What ultra-Australian song cut 'Vegemite' from its lyrics for being too on the nose? And most importantly, what's with all the bagpipes? Andrew P Street-writer, critic and obsessive Australian music weirdo-tries to answer these and many, many, many other questions you never thought to waste time asking in this history of Australia in 50 songs (or so). Deeply cheeky, unashamedly nostalgic and endlessly enthusiastic, this is a dive into our national playlist from the birth of rock'n'roll to the reign of Australian hip hop and just about everything in between. 'Andrew P Street book is a pithy, funny and accurate look at 50 famous Australian songs and quite frankly any lover of Aussie music would be sorely amiss if he did not take a good squiz at this book with Street's interesting and often irreverent stories of how each of these songs came to be.' - Steve Kilbey, The Church 'Andrew P Street is a ridiculously infectious writer. His tone can be sharp and impertinent and he can be quirky but in the end he is authentic, original and writes his astute observations with beautiful clarity.' - Lindy Morrison, the Go-Betweens 'Humour, candour and big heartedness in music writing? Blow me down. You've always been a good 'un Street. Walk on.' - Tim Rogers, You Am I




The Curious Story of Malcolm Turnbull


Book Description

An hilarious and deeply irreverent take on the political life and times of our twenty-ninth prime minister and his stumbling government