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The Case for Courage
For some time, Australia’s democracy has been slowly sliding into disrepair. The nation’s major policy challenges go unaddressed, our economic future is uncertain, and political corruption is becoming normalised. We can’t understand the current predicament of our democracy without recognising the central role of Murdoch’s national media monopoly. There is no longer a level playing field in Australian politics. We won’t see another progressive government in Canberra until we deal with this cancer in our democracy. Three more things must change for Labor to be returned to office. Labor must significantly broaden its political base; demolish the entire rationale for the conservative political project now that the Liberal Party has abandoned its position on debt, deficit, and government intervention in the economy; and put forward a clear plan dealing with the challenges ahead: recurring pandemics, demographic decline, technological disruption undermining economic competitiveness and employment, the rise of China, and the continued economic and environmental devastations of climate change. All four tasks are essential. All four will require great political courage.
96 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 10, 2021
This year, Monash University Publishing has launched a new series called In the National Interest, authored by experts in various fields.
The Case for Courage by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is one of the first seven in the series. It argues that courage is not a feeling, it's a decision to act, and that Australia needs to act courageously if we are to deal with the many problems that confront us as a nation.
Rudd argues that we should not be distracted by the usual reasons: the declining calibre of the political class, the polarisation of politics, and the Balkanisation of debate through social media. The Murdoch media monopoly is a cancer on our democracy, and as anyone who's paying attention knows, he is calling for a Royal Commission into Australia's media landscape and half a million Australians have signed his petition. In the first chapters of this little book he makes a convincing case for reform of our media landscape and for its urgency. The politics of anxiety, fear and anger crowd out and overwhelm our natural sense of optimism, enterprise and generosity of spirit.
(And even if you don't read the Murdoch Press, it still sets the agenda. Why do you think the ABC is running headline stories about an an American celebrity interviewing a couple of royals completely irrelevant to Australia and its interests? It got the Royal Commission into Aged Care off the front page very quickly, eh?)
It is, BTW a decade since I reviewed Robert Manne's Quarterly Essay, Bad News, Murdoch's Australian and the Shaping of the Nation. The depressing thing is that much of what Rudd has to say in these early chapters is nothing new, only more so. The latter part of the essay, however, is a call to action. Rudd argues that Australia needs to tackle five big challenges...
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2021/03/10/t...
In The National Interest books will reflect on the issues of the day: leadership in modern politics, pandemic politics, Australia’s role in the region, and the relationship between the public service and the government of the day. However, while the answers are often complex this new series will add evidence and nuance to debates all too often rendered simplistic. In The National Interest will offer serious general readers evidence-based arguments that spark informed debate on the issues that matter.
The Case for Courage by former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is one of the first seven in the series. It argues that courage is not a feeling, it's a decision to act, and that Australia needs to act courageously if we are to deal with the many problems that confront us as a nation.
Over much of the last decade, Australia's democracy has been slowly sliding into disrepair and despair. Our major national policy challenges go unaddressed. Our economic future is increasingly uncertain. And the country is becoming palpably more corrupt as we drift down Transparency Internationals' Corruption Perceptions Index. (p.1)
Rudd argues that we should not be distracted by the usual reasons: the declining calibre of the political class, the polarisation of politics, and the Balkanisation of debate through social media. The Murdoch media monopoly is a cancer on our democracy, and as anyone who's paying attention knows, he is calling for a Royal Commission into Australia's media landscape and half a million Australians have signed his petition. In the first chapters of this little book he makes a convincing case for reform of our media landscape and for its urgency. The politics of anxiety, fear and anger crowd out and overwhelm our natural sense of optimism, enterprise and generosity of spirit.
(And even if you don't read the Murdoch Press, it still sets the agenda. Why do you think the ABC is running headline stories about an an American celebrity interviewing a couple of royals completely irrelevant to Australia and its interests? It got the Royal Commission into Aged Care off the front page very quickly, eh?)
It is, BTW a decade since I reviewed Robert Manne's Quarterly Essay, Bad News, Murdoch's Australian and the Shaping of the Nation. The depressing thing is that much of what Rudd has to say in these early chapters is nothing new, only more so. The latter part of the essay, however, is a call to action. Rudd argues that Australia needs to tackle five big challenges...
To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2021/03/10/t...
March 13, 2021
Rudd is correct to attack Murdoch and his stooges; the Liberal Party. He says their agenda is to:
"...boost the profit share for big business by reducing the wages share, working conditions and superannuation, to deliver tax cuts to those who don't need them, and to pay for these by undermining income support for struggling families, child care, the age pension, health education, disability and aged care; and to prevent action on climate change..."
and that their
"...essential values remain individual and corporate greed."
There is a word for this agenda; it's called Capitalism.
Rudd is particularly sour about liberal lies about debt and deficit and contrasts the spending and debt of his government in the GFC and the Liberal government today suggesting that with their abandonment of the fiscal discipline agenda with Covid that:
"...the marketing men of the Liberal Party may seek to use the COVID-19 crisis to try to reinvent themselves as 'Labor Lite...'
This passage is telling of Rudd's entire agenda, he by parallel seeks to turn Labor into Liberal-lite.
We see this in his advice for Labor to embrace the Liberal politics of fear and division:
"Therefore, the Labor project must embrace with equal passion and execution both a positive agenda of hope as well as a negative agenda."
in his policy towards unions;
"the declining rate of unionisation... mean(s) that the Labor Party must rapidly adapt."
and a shift towards small business support suggesting that the Labor part must:
"...garner new levels of support from small business, independent contractors and sole traders."
The Liberals are a bourgeois party. Their class consciousness is their strength. The solution for Labor isn't to distance themselves from their class origins and become Liberal-lite. It's to embrace the class origins that define the party.
The Liberals are fighting a class war. Labor must fight back.
"...boost the profit share for big business by reducing the wages share, working conditions and superannuation, to deliver tax cuts to those who don't need them, and to pay for these by undermining income support for struggling families, child care, the age pension, health education, disability and aged care; and to prevent action on climate change..."
and that their
"...essential values remain individual and corporate greed."
There is a word for this agenda; it's called Capitalism.
Rudd is particularly sour about liberal lies about debt and deficit and contrasts the spending and debt of his government in the GFC and the Liberal government today suggesting that with their abandonment of the fiscal discipline agenda with Covid that:
"...the marketing men of the Liberal Party may seek to use the COVID-19 crisis to try to reinvent themselves as 'Labor Lite...'
This passage is telling of Rudd's entire agenda, he by parallel seeks to turn Labor into Liberal-lite.
We see this in his advice for Labor to embrace the Liberal politics of fear and division:
"Therefore, the Labor project must embrace with equal passion and execution both a positive agenda of hope as well as a negative agenda."
in his policy towards unions;
"the declining rate of unionisation... mean(s) that the Labor Party must rapidly adapt."
and a shift towards small business support suggesting that the Labor part must:
"...garner new levels of support from small business, independent contractors and sole traders."
The Liberals are a bourgeois party. Their class consciousness is their strength. The solution for Labor isn't to distance themselves from their class origins and become Liberal-lite. It's to embrace the class origins that define the party.
The Liberals are fighting a class war. Labor must fight back.
January 12, 2023
I'm usually not a reader of political works (or even a huge partaker in political matters in general), but I picked up this book as it was recommended to me and I literally had the opportunity to pick it up and read it one afternoon. Note: I'm not a strong proponent for either party and what I know about politics is from what I see in the news sometimes, and the material that comes out around election time.
Rudd (Australia's former prime minister and foreign minister) puts forward four points to outline what the Labor party should do in order to beat the dominant Liberal party:
- The Murdoch media empire is corrupt, biased towards Liberal, and needs to be exposed.
I found this point to be interesting, that multiple news sources are Murdoch-owned and skewed towards one political party. The arguments made could probably have been condensed a little, and I thought there was a little mud-slinging involved, but I suppose Rudd feels quite strongly about the role the Murdoch media empire plays in the political and social landscape, as the writing was quite emotionally charged.
- The Liberal party has never hesitated to drag Labor's name in the mud, so Labor should do the same and expose Liberal "for what they are".
I was a little appalled by this as it very much seemed like a schoolyard, childish kind of reaction to take. Attacking Liberal's policies and its past seemed like a low blow, and certainly seemed like something that could very easily be applicable to Labor too. It also made me wonder if the Labor party had not already been doing such "exposing" of the Liberal party, and it is this kind of name-calling and insulting that causes the public to be jaded about the political parties, and their ability to focus on the actual issues.
- Labor needs to have clear policies that benefit the Australian public.
This one is almost a "duh" point to make at the outset, but I did find the policies outlined for Australia's future a refreshing read. They did feel a little too succinct though, considering that the previous two sections were generously devoted to name-calling Murdoch and Liberal. I also wondered for parts of it why those actions were not already taken, and would be interested to know about what, if any, actions were taken while Rudd was in office as well.
- Labor needs to extend its voter base to be more inclusive.
I thought this section was also incredibly short, and could have possibly been expanded with more information on strategies etc.
Overall, this was an interesting foray into the political sphere for me, and I am certainly glad that are other people who are doing this sort of work instead of me.
Rudd (Australia's former prime minister and foreign minister) puts forward four points to outline what the Labor party should do in order to beat the dominant Liberal party:
- The Murdoch media empire is corrupt, biased towards Liberal, and needs to be exposed.
I found this point to be interesting, that multiple news sources are Murdoch-owned and skewed towards one political party. The arguments made could probably have been condensed a little, and I thought there was a little mud-slinging involved, but I suppose Rudd feels quite strongly about the role the Murdoch media empire plays in the political and social landscape, as the writing was quite emotionally charged.
- The Liberal party has never hesitated to drag Labor's name in the mud, so Labor should do the same and expose Liberal "for what they are".
I was a little appalled by this as it very much seemed like a schoolyard, childish kind of reaction to take. Attacking Liberal's policies and its past seemed like a low blow, and certainly seemed like something that could very easily be applicable to Labor too. It also made me wonder if the Labor party had not already been doing such "exposing" of the Liberal party, and it is this kind of name-calling and insulting that causes the public to be jaded about the political parties, and their ability to focus on the actual issues.
- Labor needs to have clear policies that benefit the Australian public.
This one is almost a "duh" point to make at the outset, but I did find the policies outlined for Australia's future a refreshing read. They did feel a little too succinct though, considering that the previous two sections were generously devoted to name-calling Murdoch and Liberal. I also wondered for parts of it why those actions were not already taken, and would be interested to know about what, if any, actions were taken while Rudd was in office as well.
- Labor needs to extend its voter base to be more inclusive.
I thought this section was also incredibly short, and could have possibly been expanded with more information on strategies etc.
Overall, this was an interesting foray into the political sphere for me, and I am certainly glad that are other people who are doing this sort of work instead of me.
August 6, 2021
I thought I knew exactly what this extended essay was going to say, as I have been listening to the former Prime Minister's criticism of the Murdoch media monopoly in Australia for some time, but some parts caught me off guard and I still got a lot out of this. I encourage any Australians who follow me to pick this book.
August 8, 2021
An important read with big ideas to consider
April 29, 2021
### Book in one sentence
Vote for Labor; they have a plan for all Australia, not just their donors.
### The Five Big Ideas / What Stood Out
1. Labor needs to shift tactics to get into power
2. Labor must focus on the big issues facing humanity - climate change, economic stability, equal opportunity
3. Labor will need to widen its voting base, and make room for differing viewpoints with people who agree with the main values (accepting religious and morally conservative people)
4. The Murdoch Media Monopoly needs to be addressed and nerfed (to be completely honest)
5. Australia needs to be more active in the global community; encouraging collaboration of countries - working together to solve problems that can be solved (immigration, climate change and economic stability)
### Key Takeaway for me and my life
Everyone needs to at least read this book - and I feel that if they do, the only choice available is to vote Labor and improve Australia.
So glad I read this book
Vote for Labor; they have a plan for all Australia, not just their donors.
### The Five Big Ideas / What Stood Out
1. Labor needs to shift tactics to get into power
2. Labor must focus on the big issues facing humanity - climate change, economic stability, equal opportunity
3. Labor will need to widen its voting base, and make room for differing viewpoints with people who agree with the main values (accepting religious and morally conservative people)
4. The Murdoch Media Monopoly needs to be addressed and nerfed (to be completely honest)
5. Australia needs to be more active in the global community; encouraging collaboration of countries - working together to solve problems that can be solved (immigration, climate change and economic stability)
### Key Takeaway for me and my life
Everyone needs to at least read this book - and I feel that if they do, the only choice available is to vote Labor and improve Australia.
So glad I read this book
April 15, 2021
A well-articulated and convincing argument for an "Australian social democracy that is capable of bringing the nation with us as we navigate the difficult challenges and complex world of the future."
Despite criticism of the blatant bias throughout Rudd's essay, it was a poignant piece I would recommend to Australians from all walks of life.
It emphasises the necessity of open, honest and critical dialogue surrounding our country's issues and political agendas. It empowers a courage, both on an individual and group level, to step outside the realms of short-term comfort to bring about system change.
Having very little understanding of Australian political systems, the message was easy to grasp - the individual needs to step up, understand the political truths of their nation's state and SPEAK OUT.
Despite criticism of the blatant bias throughout Rudd's essay, it was a poignant piece I would recommend to Australians from all walks of life.
It emphasises the necessity of open, honest and critical dialogue surrounding our country's issues and political agendas. It empowers a courage, both on an individual and group level, to step outside the realms of short-term comfort to bring about system change.
Having very little understanding of Australian political systems, the message was easy to grasp - the individual needs to step up, understand the political truths of their nation's state and SPEAK OUT.
October 14, 2021
Yep. I'm buying my three kids a copy each (7, 9, 11). It will be their Bible on the bedside table whether they like it or not.
December 21, 2021
More a short personal manifesto than political analysis, former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s ‘The Case for Courage’ sets out a vision for rescuing Australian democracy from the corrupt morass into which it is sinking.
Without Labor out of power in Australia for all but six of years of the past quarter century, Rudd believes nothing will change without a full-on attack on the power of Rupert Murdoch and his utterly dominant position in Australian media, acting as a protection racket for the Liberal and National parties.
The public popularity of a Royal Commission into the Murdoch dominance of our media was highlighted by the recent petition - championed by Rudd and another former PM in Malcolm Turnbull - received 500,000 signatures. Even so, the chances of parliament acting on it seem extremely slim, which in itself provides Rudd’s point.
“One of the central arguments of this books is that, until the Labor Party and the national electorate have the courage to deal with this underlying cancer on our democracy, we are unlikely to ever see another sustained progressive government in Canberra,” Rudd writes.
If that wasn’t a big enough challenge, Rudd cites three other things that must change if Labor is to be returned to office - demolishing the conservatives’ “political marketing project” in its entirety, putting forward a clear policy challenge on five mega-challenges facing the nation’s future (getting on top of technological innovation, helping working families stay afloat at a time of crisis, developed a balanced Chin strategy and leading action on climate change) and broadening the party’s political base.
Of course, the usual response to former politicians issuing such detailed policy manifestos is why they didn’t do that when they were actually in power. Rudd himself backed off instituting a carbon pricing mechanism after the failure of the Copenhagen summit. And he himself sought to court Murdoch’s people in New York before he came to power, earning the endorsement of the News Corp papers in Australia ahead of the 2007 election.
He is right about so many things in this book, but we know that the real issues are the institutions themselves and their inability to reform themselves. Both the LNP and the ALP are owned by fossil fuel companies. Murdoch plays divide and rule each election and successfully wedges the ALP in any attempt to move to the left.
Perhaps the greatest hope are the increasing numbers of women centrist independent candidates challenging supposedly moderate Liberals in urban electorates. These women are all in favour of real climate change action, the introduction of an anti-corruption commission and moves to restore integrity and transparency to policy-making. I wouldn’t hold my breath, however, on any of them joining Rudd’s call for an assault on Murdoch.
Some things will never change.
Without Labor out of power in Australia for all but six of years of the past quarter century, Rudd believes nothing will change without a full-on attack on the power of Rupert Murdoch and his utterly dominant position in Australian media, acting as a protection racket for the Liberal and National parties.
The public popularity of a Royal Commission into the Murdoch dominance of our media was highlighted by the recent petition - championed by Rudd and another former PM in Malcolm Turnbull - received 500,000 signatures. Even so, the chances of parliament acting on it seem extremely slim, which in itself provides Rudd’s point.
“One of the central arguments of this books is that, until the Labor Party and the national electorate have the courage to deal with this underlying cancer on our democracy, we are unlikely to ever see another sustained progressive government in Canberra,” Rudd writes.
If that wasn’t a big enough challenge, Rudd cites three other things that must change if Labor is to be returned to office - demolishing the conservatives’ “political marketing project” in its entirety, putting forward a clear policy challenge on five mega-challenges facing the nation’s future (getting on top of technological innovation, helping working families stay afloat at a time of crisis, developed a balanced Chin strategy and leading action on climate change) and broadening the party’s political base.
Of course, the usual response to former politicians issuing such detailed policy manifestos is why they didn’t do that when they were actually in power. Rudd himself backed off instituting a carbon pricing mechanism after the failure of the Copenhagen summit. And he himself sought to court Murdoch’s people in New York before he came to power, earning the endorsement of the News Corp papers in Australia ahead of the 2007 election.
He is right about so many things in this book, but we know that the real issues are the institutions themselves and their inability to reform themselves. Both the LNP and the ALP are owned by fossil fuel companies. Murdoch plays divide and rule each election and successfully wedges the ALP in any attempt to move to the left.
Perhaps the greatest hope are the increasing numbers of women centrist independent candidates challenging supposedly moderate Liberals in urban electorates. These women are all in favour of real climate change action, the introduction of an anti-corruption commission and moves to restore integrity and transparency to policy-making. I wouldn’t hold my breath, however, on any of them joining Rudd’s call for an assault on Murdoch.
Some things will never change.
December 27, 2021
Alright, I know Kevin Rudd is problematic. He’s the policy wonk who got ideas above his station in a way that even ending a decade of regressive Liberal government wasn’t enough to make up for. He was torn down by his supporters and then, as if to justify their action, did everything he could to destroy those who tore him down, even if it meant destroying his legacy at the same time.
We can only wonder how much better off we would be if Rudd had been the policy brains behind Julia Gillard’s political nous, but here we are. As he points out in this pamphlet though, first you have to win elections, and the fact remains Rudd is the only Labor leader to ever win a majority in the last quarter century. At some point, we have to face up to that fact and the reasons behind it.
So yes, Rudd is problematic but for all that, everyone should read this. It is effectively an alternative manifesto for the ALP and it’s one they should take very seriously. It contains many ideas both rusted-on Labor-right and the progressive left will find, well, courageous, but it’s hard to fault any of them. In fact, if Paul Keating had written this very document – as he well could have – all the Gen X Labor fanbois would be all over it, and rightly so.
There are plenty of potential Gotcha! moments. He calls out the bully boy tactics of the Murdoch media and proposes standing up to them in a way he completely neglected to do when in government. He returns to a pragmatically compassionate refugee intake – the one he threw out the window in 2013 for a chance at leading Labor to a third term. There is also no small amount of score-settling and told-you-so moments, from the early stimulus of the GFC to the NBN, and the truth is, he’s perfectly justified in doing so.
The contradictions are there for all to see but I encourage you to look beyond the chance to shout Aha! and judge the policies and tactics on their merits. Although it’s personal, not official, this is the most mature and forward-thinking policy document I’ve read since, well, since Kevin07.
We can only wonder how much better off we would be if Rudd had been the policy brains behind Julia Gillard’s political nous, but here we are. As he points out in this pamphlet though, first you have to win elections, and the fact remains Rudd is the only Labor leader to ever win a majority in the last quarter century. At some point, we have to face up to that fact and the reasons behind it.
So yes, Rudd is problematic but for all that, everyone should read this. It is effectively an alternative manifesto for the ALP and it’s one they should take very seriously. It contains many ideas both rusted-on Labor-right and the progressive left will find, well, courageous, but it’s hard to fault any of them. In fact, if Paul Keating had written this very document – as he well could have – all the Gen X Labor fanbois would be all over it, and rightly so.
There are plenty of potential Gotcha! moments. He calls out the bully boy tactics of the Murdoch media and proposes standing up to them in a way he completely neglected to do when in government. He returns to a pragmatically compassionate refugee intake – the one he threw out the window in 2013 for a chance at leading Labor to a third term. There is also no small amount of score-settling and told-you-so moments, from the early stimulus of the GFC to the NBN, and the truth is, he’s perfectly justified in doing so.
The contradictions are there for all to see but I encourage you to look beyond the chance to shout Aha! and judge the policies and tactics on their merits. Although it’s personal, not official, this is the most mature and forward-thinking policy document I’ve read since, well, since Kevin07.
August 2, 2021
An interesting topic that is definitely in the national interest (the name of the series), but from the first page onwards, it seems like his target audience are attendees at an ALP conference, not the general Australian public. Apart from that, I fully agree with his assessment that the Murdoch media empire has destroyed diverse and in-depth journalism. The title of this small book doesn't reflect the contents very well.
February 27, 2023
Short but concise, feels like its supposed to build on a knowledge of Australian politics but it isn’t a terrible intro to economic thought and policy. Its really interesting to see a political be this blunt about campaign strategy and media consolidation.
February 15, 2025
Definitely felt more like a personal manifesto with lots of overt bias rather than political analysis. Rudd’s take on Murdoch made this read worthwhile, but the rest felt like I was just reading a “vote labour” pamphlet.
Read
April 9, 2021A very intriguing read. A biased view from an ex labour prime minister but definitely some valid pointers in the mix
July 17, 2021
Very informative. A great read. Worth every cent.
November 21, 2021
Recommended reading for any left leaning (mainly Labor) Australian voters for the upcoming 2022 federal election.
I see why K Rudd likes friendlyjordies.
I see why K Rudd likes friendlyjordies.
April 9, 2022
Kevin '07 forever
I've really enjoyed Kevin's redemption arc, he's now a political figure I deeply agree with
I've really enjoyed Kevin's redemption arc, he's now a political figure I deeply agree with
April 14, 2024
Very good book providing information mainly on Murdoch and his bias, however also giving us a little overview of what should be done to better Australia’s economy
April 13, 2021
Interesting read, fantastic ideas. Kevin Rudd is brilliant.
December 27, 2021
An important read for any Australian, especially Gen-Y and younger.
As the younger Australian generations begin to learn more about politics, and have the power to sway it, this book is an important read to understand how we got where we are now (in relation to the most recent political history) - as well as what we should be aiming for in the future.
Knowing more about the political culture is more important than ever, as we face natural disasters, economic uncertainty, and a pandemic.
This book not only discusses Murdoch's stranglehold on the Media, but also outlines other political issues that are dragging Australia backward as a nation.
I know some will assume this book to be biased due to Rudd's background, but it also has great insight due to his background.
Even if you are Australian Liberal leaning, or firmly Australian Liberal, you should make a point to read this book.
It will give you more understanding of the Labor Party.
Even if you don't agree with the points made, there are important topics raised and discussed in this book.
And it's only 90 pages, so a super quick read.
It only goes to prove when we vote, it really does count, and shapes what is possible for the future of Australia.
I commend Kevin Rudd for not going out quietly all those years ago, but continuing to fight for what he believes in.
As the younger Australian generations begin to learn more about politics, and have the power to sway it, this book is an important read to understand how we got where we are now (in relation to the most recent political history) - as well as what we should be aiming for in the future.
Knowing more about the political culture is more important than ever, as we face natural disasters, economic uncertainty, and a pandemic.
This book not only discusses Murdoch's stranglehold on the Media, but also outlines other political issues that are dragging Australia backward as a nation.
I know some will assume this book to be biased due to Rudd's background, but it also has great insight due to his background.
Even if you are Australian Liberal leaning, or firmly Australian Liberal, you should make a point to read this book.
It will give you more understanding of the Labor Party.
Even if you don't agree with the points made, there are important topics raised and discussed in this book.
And it's only 90 pages, so a super quick read.
It only goes to prove when we vote, it really does count, and shapes what is possible for the future of Australia.
I commend Kevin Rudd for not going out quietly all those years ago, but continuing to fight for what he believes in.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews