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From Carr to Keneally: Labor in Office in NSW 1995–2011
At the NSW state election in 2011, the public turned on the 16-year-old Labor administration with unprecedented fury. The government that had won spectacular victories in 1999 and 2003 was defeated with a swing that was an Australian postwar record. How did it manage to stay in power for four terms? what were its achievements and why did things unravel so badly?
In From Carr to Keneally respected experts analyse the four terms of Labor government in NSW: the premiers and their ministers, the political parties and their electoral fortunes; the role of independents; policies in all key areas; and changes in bureaucracy, cabinet and parliament.
The definitive account of the Labor era in NSW, From Carr to Keneally goes to the heart of issues that Labor faces around Australia both state and federal levels.
In From Carr to Keneally respected experts analyse the four terms of Labor government in NSW: the premiers and their ministers, the political parties and their electoral fortunes; the role of independents; policies in all key areas; and changes in bureaucracy, cabinet and parliament.
The definitive account of the Labor era in NSW, From Carr to Keneally goes to the heart of issues that Labor faces around Australia both state and federal levels.
- GenresPolitics
402 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
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February 10, 2021
Interesting to visit state politics in this time period where we were alive but probably too young to remember the issues (plus also clouded by the fact that state politics usually gets overshadowed by federal politics or international events).
Short chapters. Good read. Interesting overviews of several policy areas covering the budget, health, education, environment, urban planning etc. Also interesting to see analyses of policy successes and failures and to appreciate the arc of the Labor govt from 1995-2011 between the stable Carr era and the tumultuous Iemma/Rees/Keneally era. How Carr was able to have a firm grip on the factional politics of NSW Labor and achieve several successes in education and environment (and reducing govt debt) - as well as overseeing the Sydney Olympics. But his govt was unable to get much meaningfully done on urban planning, transport, and infrastructure. How Iemma's popularity was tanked by his failure to push through electricty privitisation and the later Labor era was marred by factional fighting, scandals of corruption (esp. with developer contributions), and inefficiency in provisional of public services as ministers and their staff were moved around.
Authors also point to overarching themes that drove this story and continue to impact upon our democracy. Reduction in party membership and inability for parties to recruit effective representatives and come up with policy that reflects the people's wishes. How, in attempt for ministers to have better control and flexibility over their portfolios, there has been increasing politicisation of the public service as allies were put into chief and executive roles in their departments.
Even though this book is now 10 years old. These final chapters that highlight some concerns that the authors have about NSW democracy - seem to have really played out. Interesting to read perspectives from 10 years ago about the start of the boom of new media/online media/social media. And to view these analyses of politics now from a place in the post-Trump world.
Short chapters. Good read. Interesting overviews of several policy areas covering the budget, health, education, environment, urban planning etc. Also interesting to see analyses of policy successes and failures and to appreciate the arc of the Labor govt from 1995-2011 between the stable Carr era and the tumultuous Iemma/Rees/Keneally era. How Carr was able to have a firm grip on the factional politics of NSW Labor and achieve several successes in education and environment (and reducing govt debt) - as well as overseeing the Sydney Olympics. But his govt was unable to get much meaningfully done on urban planning, transport, and infrastructure. How Iemma's popularity was tanked by his failure to push through electricty privitisation and the later Labor era was marred by factional fighting, scandals of corruption (esp. with developer contributions), and inefficiency in provisional of public services as ministers and their staff were moved around.
Authors also point to overarching themes that drove this story and continue to impact upon our democracy. Reduction in party membership and inability for parties to recruit effective representatives and come up with policy that reflects the people's wishes. How, in attempt for ministers to have better control and flexibility over their portfolios, there has been increasing politicisation of the public service as allies were put into chief and executive roles in their departments.
Even though this book is now 10 years old. These final chapters that highlight some concerns that the authors have about NSW democracy - seem to have really played out. Interesting to read perspectives from 10 years ago about the start of the boom of new media/online media/social media. And to view these analyses of politics now from a place in the post-Trump world.
Displaying 1 of 1 review