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Can Do: Campbell Newman and the Challenge of Reform
The son of two Federal Liberal Ministers, Campbell Newman has been an army major, a high-flying management consultant, Lord Mayor of Australia's largest council and Premier of Queensland. For the first time in this authorised biography, his incredible and often controversial story is revealed in remarkable detail and scope. The biography also merges Campbell's story with a broader discussion on the future of reform in Australia, as told to the author by some of the nation's most prominent former and current politicians, business people and Campbell himself.
- GenresBiography
344 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 13, 2016
All anyone anywhere needs to know is that is hagiography about an individual that attacked the world of literature and then attempted to demean those that disagreed with that cheap attack. This hagiography is about an individual that told many that their jobs were safe and after lying about their jobs compared them to Canine Faecal matter in the Qld state parliament.
Will this hagiography cover the fact that in the Qld state parliament this individual also called the people of an entire city a derogatory name. This hagiography has the audacity to claim that it is about the challenge of reform when in fact it is a hagiography that blames all others for the individuals demise. Hagiography at its finest so buyer beware.
Will this hagiography cover the fact that in the Qld state parliament this individual also called the people of an entire city a derogatory name. This hagiography has the audacity to claim that it is about the challenge of reform when in fact it is a hagiography that blames all others for the individuals demise. Hagiography at its finest so buyer beware.
January 30, 2016
That was awful. Just awful.
Campbell Newman must be extremely uncomfortable and in a great deal of pain with the author of this badly written, mistake, typo and lie filled tome living so far up his... Well, you know.
It is difficult to reconcile the government portrayed in this book with the government that Queenslanders were subjected to for nearly 3 years. A government that picked fights with nearly everyone and angered all but their most ardent supporters with their lies and bungling. A government with a tin ear and a dog whistle. According to the author this was a government that got everything right, but the people of Queensland just didn't understand what it was they were trying to do.
No Mr King. No Mr Newman. Queenslanders understood exactly what it was you were trying to do and took the first, second and third opportunities (Redcliffe, Stafford & General elections) to tell you that.
Awful book. Awful government... Thankfully they are both over and consigned to history.
Campbell Newman must be extremely uncomfortable and in a great deal of pain with the author of this badly written, mistake, typo and lie filled tome living so far up his... Well, you know.
It is difficult to reconcile the government portrayed in this book with the government that Queenslanders were subjected to for nearly 3 years. A government that picked fights with nearly everyone and angered all but their most ardent supporters with their lies and bungling. A government with a tin ear and a dog whistle. According to the author this was a government that got everything right, but the people of Queensland just didn't understand what it was they were trying to do.
No Mr King. No Mr Newman. Queenslanders understood exactly what it was you were trying to do and took the first, second and third opportunities (Redcliffe, Stafford & General elections) to tell you that.
Awful book. Awful government... Thankfully they are both over and consigned to history.
March 6, 2016
The author's bias in favour of Newman is obvious from the first page through to the last. Apart from a brief synopsis of the Newman family and Newman's childhood years as a Army brat, this book appears to be poorly researched and more of an ejection of any responsibility for the QLD LNP government.
August 3, 2017
Excellent window into a significant chapter in Queensland politics.
Regrettable that a person of such unquestionable commitment to the community is lost to Australian politics but that's democracy. Shocking to understand the vilification endured by the family of the Premiers wife. Politics at its most vindicative and unproductive.
Author fails to outline the failings of the LNP Administration in supporting a 1st time MP who was also Premier in a marginal seat. Clearly a few went missing when it was time to step up. The mantra of a Plan seemed more based on group think than community support if the election result is any measure.
On top of the myriad of reform Can Do took on, few others would have the courage to take on both the legal and medical vested interests in their first term. Few politicians and Governments have the courage to take on legal and medical vested interests period.
Queenslands economic challenges continue. Time will tell who 'can do' in times of digital transformation.
Queensland has lost the energy and drive of a true leader and needs others leaders of character and integrity to fill the void left by Campbell Newman.
Regrettable that a person of such unquestionable commitment to the community is lost to Australian politics but that's democracy. Shocking to understand the vilification endured by the family of the Premiers wife. Politics at its most vindicative and unproductive.
Author fails to outline the failings of the LNP Administration in supporting a 1st time MP who was also Premier in a marginal seat. Clearly a few went missing when it was time to step up. The mantra of a Plan seemed more based on group think than community support if the election result is any measure.
On top of the myriad of reform Can Do took on, few others would have the courage to take on both the legal and medical vested interests in their first term. Few politicians and Governments have the courage to take on legal and medical vested interests period.
Queenslands economic challenges continue. Time will tell who 'can do' in times of digital transformation.
Queensland has lost the energy and drive of a true leader and needs others leaders of character and integrity to fill the void left by Campbell Newman.
June 23, 2016
This is an authorised bio so don't be surprised that it does not provide a balanced review. However compared to most books of this type there are a surprising number of mea culpas and no attempt to lay the blame at the feet of others (bar one dig at Nichols). Even if you are a fan of the man note that being right is not enough - diplomacy and empathy are also necessary.
Want to Read
January 24, 2016Story of Campbell Newman LNP premier of Queensland from 2012-2015 and ex Lord Mayor of Brisbane.
January 7, 2017
Liar talks.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews