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Australia's Second Chance: What our history tells us about our future
The bestselling author of The Australian Moment asks the most important question confronting the country right now – how do we maintain our winning streak? Most nations don't get a first chance to prosper. Australia is on its second. For the best part of the nineteenth century, Australia was the world's richest country, a pioneer for democracy and a magnet for migrants. Yet our last big boom was followed by a fifty-year bust as we lost our luck, our riches and our nerve, and shut our doors on the world. Now we're back on top, in the position where history tells us we made our biggest mistakes. Can we learn from our past and cement our place as one of the world's great nations? Showing that our future is in our foundation, Australia's Second Chance goes back to 1788, the first contact between locals and migrants, to bring us a unique and fascinating view of the key events of our past right through to the present day. With newly available economic data and fresh interviews with former leaders (including the last major interview with Malcolm Fraser), George Megalogenis crunches the numbers and weaves our history into a riveting argument, brilliantly chronicling our dialogue with the world and bringing welcome insight into the urgent question of who we are, and what we can become. 'Megalogenis has emerged as something of a polymath. He slaps history and politics and culture like mortar in and around his knowledge of economics and numbers to build compelling, even thrilling, theses about the country of his birth and where it stands in the world.' Tony Wright, Saturday Age
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
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314 people want to read
About the author
George Megalogenis
16 books35 followersGeorge Megalogenis has written three previous Quarterly Essays. His book The Australian Moment won the 2013 Prime Minister's Literary Award for Non-fiction and the 2012 Walkley Award for Non-fiction. He is also the author of Faultlines, The Longest Decade, Australia's Second Chance and The Football Solution.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 5, 2015
In the field of ‘big-picture’ books by journalists about Australian politics, Paul Kelly is the hall of famer who still claims attention. But the rising star is George Megalogenis.
Megageorge as he is widely known has recently produced two important books. ‘The Longest Decade’ told the story of the similarities between Paul Keating and John Howard. So good was it that I believe Paul Kelly paid it the ultimate compliment by trying to write the same tale in his own ‘March of Patriots’. Megalogenis then returned the favour by retelling the story of Kelly’s ‘The End of Certainty’, examining the liberalisation of the Australian economy, in ‘The Australia Moment’.
This time around however, Megalogenis has set out for completely new territory. He argues in ‘Australia’s Second Chance’ that Australia’s prosperity and success depends not just on being an open country economically but an open country for migrants. The book shows that Australia was and always has been a nation defined by migration. This, alongside the question of population is one of the central elements of the nation’s identity and success.
In telling this story, Megalogenis usefully brings to popular light the debates over the Irish and Chinese during the gold rush era, the link between the 1890s depression and the White Australia policy, and the efforts from the 1940s onwards to try and open up the country again to migration. The writing fairly clips along, and he helpfully doesn’t just focus on old moments like Eureka and Gallipoli but tells of a steady clear narrative showing the vital importance of migration for national prosperity.
In writing neat history however, Megalogenis’ work can sometimes imply a somewhat deterministic history. Much like his excellent, ‘The Australia Moment’, the outcome of any particular moment seems obvious and necessary. The heat of conflict, the division, the possible alternatives are tamped down so as to clean up the narrative and story. It’s not misleading, but it does seem to make it all somewhat bloodless. I found this more concerning in his earlier book ‘The Australia Moment’, because it seemed to imply there had once been an era where reform was easy and popular. But there’s a trace of it here too in ‘Australia’s Second Chance’.
The book is split into three sections. “The Rise” is Australia’s relative openness as a colony. “The Fall” charts the nation turning inwards against the Chinese on the goldfields, through the depression the 1890s, the establishment of White Australia and the muted 1920s. Finally “The Return” covers the post-war boom and through till today. All three sections are handled well, with the extended coverage of the early pre-WW2 years an important, and too often overlooked element of the nation’s story.
While this organisation makes the books purpose clear, you wouldn’t exactly know it from the title or cover design. Instead we get a book pitched as ‘What our history tells us about our future’. Likewise the introduction sets out as if it is just a simple retelling, only cryptically noting in one line ‘the thread that connects the past to the present and future is the ongoing conversation between those who came to these shores, and those who received them’.
It may well be that this is simply the act of the publishers, who might (perhaps rightly) believe that such an approach would help entice a wider crowd, and lower readers’ guards given the controversial and tired nature of the issue.
But I suspect it was, at least partly deliberate. The bargain journalists tend to enter into when they write books is that they will focus on telling what has happened, but will hold off from looking ahead to say what should happen. By keeping to history re-examined, not a future imagined, they maintain their status as objective observers.
Yet, Megalogenis is not afraid of making strong judgements on what was the right policy in the past. And in this case, he clearly passionately, and personally believes that Australia needs to much more fundamentally acknowledge and engage with migration. While I was already a convert, I think the message in ‘Australia’s Second Chance’ is important and true and needs to be widely read and debated.
As such, given Megageorge’s reputation and track record, it would have been nice to see him wade into the ‘big Australia’ debate and argue clearly what Australia should do in the future. To stake out a position and help drive the national conversation. That’s a higher degree of difficulty, especially given the desire to remain an independent journalist. But get it right and it really would knock Kelly off his perch.
Megageorge as he is widely known has recently produced two important books. ‘The Longest Decade’ told the story of the similarities between Paul Keating and John Howard. So good was it that I believe Paul Kelly paid it the ultimate compliment by trying to write the same tale in his own ‘March of Patriots’. Megalogenis then returned the favour by retelling the story of Kelly’s ‘The End of Certainty’, examining the liberalisation of the Australian economy, in ‘The Australia Moment’.
This time around however, Megalogenis has set out for completely new territory. He argues in ‘Australia’s Second Chance’ that Australia’s prosperity and success depends not just on being an open country economically but an open country for migrants. The book shows that Australia was and always has been a nation defined by migration. This, alongside the question of population is one of the central elements of the nation’s identity and success.
In telling this story, Megalogenis usefully brings to popular light the debates over the Irish and Chinese during the gold rush era, the link between the 1890s depression and the White Australia policy, and the efforts from the 1940s onwards to try and open up the country again to migration. The writing fairly clips along, and he helpfully doesn’t just focus on old moments like Eureka and Gallipoli but tells of a steady clear narrative showing the vital importance of migration for national prosperity.
In writing neat history however, Megalogenis’ work can sometimes imply a somewhat deterministic history. Much like his excellent, ‘The Australia Moment’, the outcome of any particular moment seems obvious and necessary. The heat of conflict, the division, the possible alternatives are tamped down so as to clean up the narrative and story. It’s not misleading, but it does seem to make it all somewhat bloodless. I found this more concerning in his earlier book ‘The Australia Moment’, because it seemed to imply there had once been an era where reform was easy and popular. But there’s a trace of it here too in ‘Australia’s Second Chance’.
The book is split into three sections. “The Rise” is Australia’s relative openness as a colony. “The Fall” charts the nation turning inwards against the Chinese on the goldfields, through the depression the 1890s, the establishment of White Australia and the muted 1920s. Finally “The Return” covers the post-war boom and through till today. All three sections are handled well, with the extended coverage of the early pre-WW2 years an important, and too often overlooked element of the nation’s story.
While this organisation makes the books purpose clear, you wouldn’t exactly know it from the title or cover design. Instead we get a book pitched as ‘What our history tells us about our future’. Likewise the introduction sets out as if it is just a simple retelling, only cryptically noting in one line ‘the thread that connects the past to the present and future is the ongoing conversation between those who came to these shores, and those who received them’.
It may well be that this is simply the act of the publishers, who might (perhaps rightly) believe that such an approach would help entice a wider crowd, and lower readers’ guards given the controversial and tired nature of the issue.
But I suspect it was, at least partly deliberate. The bargain journalists tend to enter into when they write books is that they will focus on telling what has happened, but will hold off from looking ahead to say what should happen. By keeping to history re-examined, not a future imagined, they maintain their status as objective observers.
Yet, Megalogenis is not afraid of making strong judgements on what was the right policy in the past. And in this case, he clearly passionately, and personally believes that Australia needs to much more fundamentally acknowledge and engage with migration. While I was already a convert, I think the message in ‘Australia’s Second Chance’ is important and true and needs to be widely read and debated.
As such, given Megageorge’s reputation and track record, it would have been nice to see him wade into the ‘big Australia’ debate and argue clearly what Australia should do in the future. To stake out a position and help drive the national conversation. That’s a higher degree of difficulty, especially given the desire to remain an independent journalist. But get it right and it really would knock Kelly off his perch.
June 25, 2016
I didn't review or rate this book when I read it a year ago. It came to mind today when I continued to contemplate the Brexit outcome with sadness. This book succinctly, but still with some colour, explains how Australia's three great recessions all followed a period of jingoistic introspection and a sharp reduction in migrant intake.
The conclusion? Migration = national prosperity
The conclusion? Migration = national prosperity
October 29, 2018
A well written book for a divisive subject. I particularly liked the summary of Australian “luck” in the 19th century. A complex history which was explained in an easy to understand manner.the examination of the Australian psyche and victim mentality was also very apt. I felt the take on the current issues/opportunities facing Australia like foreign students focused on the perceieved positives and did not actually delve deeper - like the actual standards and reports from lecturers that they are being forced to pass students who can’t communicate at a university level simply because they are a foreign student. The notion that a skilled migrant is a win is also simplistic. A doctor is a great addition to the country, but useless if they can’t be understood. In these cases Australia should have a program maybe not in the style of Bonegilla, but at least language schools to assist new migrants. Otherwise these skilled migrants will take the next opportunity to get out and go somewhere with more opportunities or where they feel more appreciated/comfortable. And that’s a loss to Australia. I’m also surprised that there was no examination of 457 visas (or whatever they are called now), which in some regional areas is basically modern day blackbirding.
August 24, 2023
Puts Australia’s Immigration History into Context
A good historian is able to put the day to day events and tactical decisions of a leader (or country) into a broader frame of reference, such that what happens in any one year can be viewed as a contributing factor to a longer term pattern. History provides the context that tells us how we got where we are, otherwise it is simply a bunch of stories. Decision-makers are often reacting to the demands of the moment (be it economic, social, cultural or otherwise) and fail to see the broader sweep of their actions. This book provides this context and I learnt a number of things about our evolution from penal settlement to a vibrant, diverse and cohesive culture.
George Megalogenis does a first rate job of describing the smaller events in Australia’s history and explaining how they formed part of a larger pattern that both gave rise to the multi-cultural country we have today and also contributed to the economic fortunes and travails through our history - from the buoyant gold rush years to the stagnant era of the early 20th Century and on to the more open and resilient period of the early 21st Century. Underpinning all this is our approach to immigration. From a convict transport beginnings in the 1780’s to a gold-rush fueled migrant bonanza in the 1850’s that led to the xenophobic reaction to Chinese and Pacific Islander immigrants that gave rise to the White Australia policy and the consequent economic stagnation, Megalogenis puts the events into a historical context that enables the reader to better understand how we became the country we are.
That Australia is a fairly cohesive migrant society is not simply a function of our “fair go” nature but is a logical extension of the harmonious relationships that developed between the early English and Irish settlers. As the world becomes a more dangerous place with escalating religious and tribal threats, Australia stands to be the global model of a peaceful, well assimilated society. However, as the author notes, we can only be our best and remain so if we remain an open and welcoming society.
While it is not central to the books objective, it did not discuss in any depth such things as decentralization and the ability of the major population centers to absorb growing numbers of people or, indeed, the limit of the country’s capacity to support a given population given finite water resources.
I enjoyed reading this book both in terms of the history and for some though provoking commentary on our prospects.
A good historian is able to put the day to day events and tactical decisions of a leader (or country) into a broader frame of reference, such that what happens in any one year can be viewed as a contributing factor to a longer term pattern. History provides the context that tells us how we got where we are, otherwise it is simply a bunch of stories. Decision-makers are often reacting to the demands of the moment (be it economic, social, cultural or otherwise) and fail to see the broader sweep of their actions. This book provides this context and I learnt a number of things about our evolution from penal settlement to a vibrant, diverse and cohesive culture.
George Megalogenis does a first rate job of describing the smaller events in Australia’s history and explaining how they formed part of a larger pattern that both gave rise to the multi-cultural country we have today and also contributed to the economic fortunes and travails through our history - from the buoyant gold rush years to the stagnant era of the early 20th Century and on to the more open and resilient period of the early 21st Century. Underpinning all this is our approach to immigration. From a convict transport beginnings in the 1780’s to a gold-rush fueled migrant bonanza in the 1850’s that led to the xenophobic reaction to Chinese and Pacific Islander immigrants that gave rise to the White Australia policy and the consequent economic stagnation, Megalogenis puts the events into a historical context that enables the reader to better understand how we became the country we are.
That Australia is a fairly cohesive migrant society is not simply a function of our “fair go” nature but is a logical extension of the harmonious relationships that developed between the early English and Irish settlers. As the world becomes a more dangerous place with escalating religious and tribal threats, Australia stands to be the global model of a peaceful, well assimilated society. However, as the author notes, we can only be our best and remain so if we remain an open and welcoming society.
While it is not central to the books objective, it did not discuss in any depth such things as decentralization and the ability of the major population centers to absorb growing numbers of people or, indeed, the limit of the country’s capacity to support a given population given finite water resources.
I enjoyed reading this book both in terms of the history and for some though provoking commentary on our prospects.
December 26, 2019
An excellent primer on Australia's social, economic, cultural and migrant experience since colonial settlement.
Confident and assured writing by Megalogenis enlightens the reader of the key patterns, incidents and long term drivers of Australian culture and continued success and failure on the national and world stage.
This work covers our changing social experiences and political responses over the decades from colonialism, Irish immigration, goldfields, Eureka, Chinese migration, conscription and more.
Megalogenis uses economic and immigration data to explain, unpack and address how we as a nation have a history of and continue to swing quite dramatically across key issues affecting us. Further, he articulates the debates preceding the introduction of policies promoting isolation and protectionism, to those championing open migration, diversity and integration. A fascinating read that I couldn't put down.
Confident and assured writing by Megalogenis enlightens the reader of the key patterns, incidents and long term drivers of Australian culture and continued success and failure on the national and world stage.
This work covers our changing social experiences and political responses over the decades from colonialism, Irish immigration, goldfields, Eureka, Chinese migration, conscription and more.
Megalogenis uses economic and immigration data to explain, unpack and address how we as a nation have a history of and continue to swing quite dramatically across key issues affecting us. Further, he articulates the debates preceding the introduction of policies promoting isolation and protectionism, to those championing open migration, diversity and integration. A fascinating read that I couldn't put down.
April 21, 2022
The book provides a brief history of Australia's development as nation primarily from policies perspective. George takes us back to 1778 when settlers first arrived in Australia and explained how it became one of the most prospering, fastest growing, immigration oriented egalitarian British colony. In second chance, George explains how certain restrictive policies (esp. White Australia Policy) affected Australia's overall growth for many decades after it claimed independence in 1901 and how a great immigration policy and openness to world can offer its unlimited potential, the same growth that America and other europian nation had in post world war era. A fascinating account of history and great storytelling !
January 9, 2018
A very timely analysis. I like the clear juxtaposition between economic prosperity and immigration and the discussion made a lot of sense. I was a bit worried that it only contained one tiny oblique reference to the notion of carrying capacity, but I guess that is not its purpose. Australia's immigration programme over the last 50 years and, to a lesser extent, our multicultural ambitions, have been a staggering success. Long may it continue.
June 25, 2017
Great look into Australian history
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It takes a look at Australian history from the first fleet until now, focusing on how migration has shaped our economy and national identity.
I learnt a great deal and gained a great perspective on the historical context for the way Australia is today.
Thoroughly recommended!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It takes a look at Australian history from the first fleet until now, focusing on how migration has shaped our economy and national identity.
I learnt a great deal and gained a great perspective on the historical context for the way Australia is today.
Thoroughly recommended!
June 14, 2022
Very informative and insightful
George Megalogenis is a very good explainer. His work on the subject of an open and prosperous Australia is a detailed historical account of the chances that Australia may have if it remains open to them. Migration is driver of growth and he explains this really well.
George Megalogenis is a very good explainer. His work on the subject of an open and prosperous Australia is a detailed historical account of the chances that Australia may have if it remains open to them. Migration is driver of growth and he explains this really well.
March 25, 2019
Megalogenis is a great explainer and this is an important book to help Australians understand how we've become the nation we are today and to recognise that understanding our history is important in dealing with the contemporary challenges we are facing.
June 12, 2017
Fascinating review of the link between Australian economic history and migration. Well worth a read and consideration of the key idea: that Australia's economic fortunes depend on its openness to engagement with the rest of the world, particularly through migration.
March 4, 2018
A fascinating read.
August 22, 2018
A must read for any migrant to Australia who needs to understand this country.
November 7, 2025
A history of the country, positioned around migration and comparative snapshots of Australia’s role in the world. Very well written; reads as a highly informed historical opinion piece. Love George.
July 31, 2016
My goodness, Megalogenis is impressive. This is possibly the most accessible and persuasive book I've read on Australia's multicultural project. He walks the reader through the history of Australian immigration - starting with white settlement in 1788 and taking us through history to the present day. His basic thesis is that Australian economic prosperity has gone hand-in-hand with openness to migration. And he has the facts to back it up.
Two things stand out for me in the book. One is that it is in many ways a personal story - Megalogenis drops into the text occasionally stories of his own family's migration history to Australia, which I found gave the story so much more texture. And secondly, what I think is the most profound idea in the book, is his description in the last chapter that Australia is a Eurasian nation - that Chinese-born are now the largest migrant group in Sydney and that the Indian-born will dominate Melbourne in coming decades. That this idea does not have greater currency in Australian political debate is something Megalogenis puts down to the overwhelmingly anglo-dominated nature of the Australian parliament and media. This will, I'm sure, change with time.
May 31, 2016
Megalogenis is always an interesting writer, and this book is no exception. It's a retelling of Australian history, from the First Fleet to the present day, through the twin prisms of economics and immigration, with a lot of attention paid to how each affected and was affected by the politics of the day. It makes a good case, but a less detailed one than I would have liked - in particular, picking apart correlation and causation is not something it much troubles with, which makes the narrative a little less reliable in places. It's not a bad book, but a more detailed study on the same themes seems called for before it can truly be said to have reached any conclusions.
January 19, 2016
Excellent read
Fantastic book on Australia's economic and political history, in particular as it relates to migration and the impact that has had on the development of the country. It is just fascinating to see how history did and didn't repeat itself over various periods and the relevance it has to our position today.
As an aside, having already watched (the also excellent) "Making Australia Great" on ABC last year I wasn't sure how much more I would get out of the book but it is absolutely worth reading whether you've watched that or not.
Fantastic book on Australia's economic and political history, in particular as it relates to migration and the impact that has had on the development of the country. It is just fascinating to see how history did and didn't repeat itself over various periods and the relevance it has to our position today.
As an aside, having already watched (the also excellent) "Making Australia Great" on ABC last year I wasn't sure how much more I would get out of the book but it is absolutely worth reading whether you've watched that or not.
June 9, 2016
I was keen to read this book since hearing the author interviewed on Richard Fidler's Conversation program. Essentially, this is Australian history like you've never before heard. This isn't the history that's taught at school which is a shame. Australia is indeed The Lucky Country, but not for the reasons you might think. I urge everyone who thinks they know about the colonisation of Australia to read this. As Marieke Hardy says, George Megalogenis is a great explainer!
October 26, 2016
An economic history of Australia, from the First Fleet right through to the Abbott government. Megalogenis argues that Australia is at its strongest when migrants are made welcome, and that 'drawbridge up' ushers in long periods of stagnation. See my full review at:
https://residentjudge.wordpress.com/2...
https://residentjudge.wordpress.com/2...
January 4, 2017
A thought provoking discussion of Australia's history and the important role waves of migration have played in its development and prosperity. Megalogenis raises some interesting issues and challenges facing Australia as it moves from its Anglo-Celtic roots to becoming Eurasian. The book would have been enhanced by a discussion of the environmental perspectives of population growth.
August 3, 2016
Australia's current political scene discussed with wisdom by George Megalogenis, one of Australia's most respected journalists. Concise, well written, with insights into a wide range of ideas and challenges.
March 19, 2016
This is an economic history of Australia that links the boom times with increased migration.
It is well argued and well written and I learnt a lot about Australia.
It would make a great addition to the year 12 history/economics syllabus.
It is well argued and well written and I learnt a lot about Australia.
It would make a great addition to the year 12 history/economics syllabus.
Read
July 24, 2016The first two thirds are a fascinating overview of immigration and Australia´s economy. The less third is less compelling, with weaker arguments. But overall an accessible and important book to understand how Australia got to be where it is.
March 13, 2016
Not at all the book I was lead to believe it was but it turns out it was the book I have been looking for, for a long time.
March 15, 2016
A great history of Australia, paying particular attention to our moments of economic prosperity and our immigration policy. A great, and timely, read.
August 9, 2016
A good perspective in relation to the effect immigration ha s had on the Australian economy and what it means now
August 9, 2016
Readable but detailed history of the impact of migration on Australia throughout its history, particularly the economy, and how the debates over immigration played out in politics.
August 13, 2016
fantastic synthesis of economics history and culture. a must read for an Australian.
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July 12, 2017Brilliant. Very thought provoking. Who else had read it and what did you think?
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews