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On the Record: Politics, politicians and power
ON THE RECORD is a collection of the very best of Laurie Oakes' reporting over more than forty years. He is a legend in the Canberra press gallery for breaking the big stories, and asking the difficult questions. Some of the decisive points of the 2010 election campaign are classic examples of this...
Some issues haven't changed - a Liberal Party report into the 1983 federal election loss that concluded the Fraser government was too often seen to be 'inconsistent, too pragmatic and, finally, too expedient' would ring true today. Others have had a different course: over 25,000 Vietnamese boat people were calmly and peacefully accepted in the late 1970s, with bipartisan support.
Some issues haven't changed - a Liberal Party report into the 1983 federal election loss that concluded the Fraser government was too often seen to be 'inconsistent, too pragmatic and, finally, too expedient' would ring true today. Others have had a different course: over 25,000 Vietnamese boat people were calmly and peacefully accepted in the late 1970s, with bipartisan support.
- GenresNonfictionPolitics
395 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Oakes
11 books1 followerLaurie Oakes is widely respected for his impartiality and experience and for so often getting the story before anyone else. He has been a reporter for almost 50 years and has spent the last 45 years covering federal politics in Canberra.
His previous books include POWER PLAYS (2008) and ON THE RECORD (2010), both published by Hachette Australia
His previous books include POWER PLAYS (2008) and ON THE RECORD (2010), both published by Hachette Australia
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 26, 2021
This book isn’t for me. This book is someone who wants an introduction to Australian politics which is quite basic. Did I learn something? Yeah but I just didn’t enjoy it. It’s just articles that were wrote about politics and stuck together. It very much feels like a publisher idea than Oakes idea, I guess that’s what annoys me when I was reading this book.
November 20, 2010
‘Politics has become managerial rather than ideological.’
Laurie Oakes has been writing about Australian politics, power and politicians since 1969. He has become one of the most influential political journalists in Australia and anyone who follows Australian politics will be familiar with his coverage of events.
This book covers articles written over the past forty one years of Australian politics: from the era of ‘Black Jack’ (John) McEwen, Arthur Calwell, William McMahon, John Gorton, Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser, through to the rise and fall of Kevin Rudd and the current era of Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott. During this period, Laurie Oakes has broken some big stories through a combination of astute investigation and being the recipient of significant leaked information.
I’ve been following Australian politics for almost as long as Laurie Oakes has been writing about it, so I’m familiar with most of the events and individuals described in these articles. So why did I read it? Two reasons: I was interested in the recent articles about Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard and also in revisiting some of the political events of the past. I found it interesting to reflect on my own reaction to the dismissal of the Whitlam government (as a young and idealistic voter back in 1975) while reading about the events 35 years later. It’s always interesting, too, to read about the behind the scenes machinations that are part of the political landscape.
I’d recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Australian federal political landscape of the past forty years. As Laurie Oakes observes in his introduction, the nature of democracy is changing as a result of the technological advances in communications. The resulting immediacy puts enormous pressure on politicians and journalists. Mistakes are made and magnified; presentation is at least as important as content and any hesitation is likely to be seen as evasion.
Note: this review is of the revised edition of this book which includes an account of the fall of Kevin Rudd, and the 2010 Australian Federal election.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Laurie Oakes has been writing about Australian politics, power and politicians since 1969. He has become one of the most influential political journalists in Australia and anyone who follows Australian politics will be familiar with his coverage of events.
This book covers articles written over the past forty one years of Australian politics: from the era of ‘Black Jack’ (John) McEwen, Arthur Calwell, William McMahon, John Gorton, Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser, through to the rise and fall of Kevin Rudd and the current era of Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott. During this period, Laurie Oakes has broken some big stories through a combination of astute investigation and being the recipient of significant leaked information.
I’ve been following Australian politics for almost as long as Laurie Oakes has been writing about it, so I’m familiar with most of the events and individuals described in these articles. So why did I read it? Two reasons: I was interested in the recent articles about Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard and also in revisiting some of the political events of the past. I found it interesting to reflect on my own reaction to the dismissal of the Whitlam government (as a young and idealistic voter back in 1975) while reading about the events 35 years later. It’s always interesting, too, to read about the behind the scenes machinations that are part of the political landscape.
I’d recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the Australian federal political landscape of the past forty years. As Laurie Oakes observes in his introduction, the nature of democracy is changing as a result of the technological advances in communications. The resulting immediacy puts enormous pressure on politicians and journalists. Mistakes are made and magnified; presentation is at least as important as content and any hesitation is likely to be seen as evasion.
Note: this review is of the revised edition of this book which includes an account of the fall of Kevin Rudd, and the 2010 Australian Federal election.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
June 11, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I greatly admire Laurie Oakes as a reporter and commentator on Australian politics. Having worked in politics for some 10 years, including a stint at Parliament House I was very impressed with what Laurie had to say about the inside happenings of Parliament. I vividly recall how Madam Speaker, Joan child, was treated with contempt by her own Party, having personally witnessed the goings on in the chamber (we had constant audio in our office of the debates and question time). Laurie Oakes' take on the situation is very much how I perceived it at the time. There were many other happenings of course which I won't go into here, but the fact that he has reported a very accurate picture of the time when I worked in the hallowed halls I trust his perceptions and reporting of earlier and latter years - particuarly in relation to the fall of Kevin Rudd. I like his down to earth approach, no mincing words and his keen insight and ability to "sniff" out the background story and the subtext. He has the ability to demonstrate that appearances are most often very deceptive. If you are a person interested in politics this is a great read. Written in the style of a journalist for easy digestion and with economy of words, Laurie says a lot with the least amount of fuss and with the greatest impact.
January 21, 2011
Politics, politicians and power!
Australia, politics and government.
Laurie Oakes provides us with a commentary and insight into the machinery of party politics with a documented record of the numerous politicians who have ever ‘graced’ or ‘disgraced’ the halls of federal parliament!
Oakes has been a keen observer of the political scene over many years as a political journalist although his thoughts are often canvassed as the viewpoint of a professional writer who has talked to everyone important in Australian politics over his working lifetime, and commented on them and political happenings.
The chapter called ‘Elections’ is quite an entertaining read.
There is insufficient depth here to interest the serious researcher but aimed at reader of popular magazines and, later, watchers of Channel 9.
Australia, politics and government.
Laurie Oakes provides us with a commentary and insight into the machinery of party politics with a documented record of the numerous politicians who have ever ‘graced’ or ‘disgraced’ the halls of federal parliament!
Oakes has been a keen observer of the political scene over many years as a political journalist although his thoughts are often canvassed as the viewpoint of a professional writer who has talked to everyone important in Australian politics over his working lifetime, and commented on them and political happenings.
The chapter called ‘Elections’ is quite an entertaining read.
There is insufficient depth here to interest the serious researcher but aimed at reader of popular magazines and, later, watchers of Channel 9.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews