Articles - Michael Easson

From tiny home in Padstow, schooling at East Hills Boys High in the 1960s, to Australia’s leading investment banker, is not a common route, then as now. Former CEO of Bankers Trust Australia (BTA), 1985 to 1999, then its chairman to 2001, Robert Alexander “Rob” Ferguson (2 December 1945- 31 August 2024) died last month after a long battle with the lung disease fibrosis. Jen, his wife of 56 years, sister Fiona, and son-in-law Pete kept vigil.

Details

Jul312024

(2024): Launch of In Search of John Christian Watson

Political historyBy Jade Cunanan July 31, 2024

Photos taken from the launch The Prime Minister’s remarks: Launch of ‘In Search of John Christian Watson, Labor’s First Prime Minister’ by Michael Easson | Prime Minister of Australia (pm.gov.au) Video of the Launch: Postscript I intended to say the words below. But Albo was so comprehensive and good in what he said, as the…

Details

Jul292024

(2024): A Balanced Labor View on Peace in the Middle East

The Middle EastBy Grace Senga July 29, 2024

Speech given at the NSW ALP Conference on 27 July 2024 on an amendment to the ‘Australia and the World’ report. Delegates. First principles. Any person ever born matters. Every life lost is a tragedy, a loss of a personal universe. Those principles certainly matter in the Middle East. For many of us, the resolution…

Details

Jun302024

(2024) The Cause of Crossing the Floor

Political historyBy Jade Cunanan June 30, 2024

WA Labor Senator Fatima Payman’s crossing the Senate floor to vote for a Greens’ motion on immediate recognition of the state of Palestine and against the Government is highly unusual in the ALP.

Details

Jun302024

(2024) Unionist and Clever Boxer Fought Back When Stung. Stan Sharkey, 1933-2024.

Political historyBy Jade Cunanan June 30, 2024

Stan Sharkey (1933-2024), NSW and national leader of building workers, former amateur and professional boxer, jockey, apprentice bricklayer, then skilled tradesman, communist, deserves tribute for an interesting, vital, important life.

Details

Jun102024

(2024) What Would Tom Think?

Occasional Essays and ArticlesBy Jade Cunanan June 10, 2024

It is an excellent question: ‘What would Tom think?’ Professor Tom Parry AM (1945-2024), economics professor, raconteur, businessman, and regulator, who was laid to rest at the end of May, was a rarity. A sharp mind who made economic rationalism understandable, popular, and effective.

Details

Jun92024

(2024) Speech at the Sydney Launch of Knopfelmacher Book

Articles and pieces on philosophical topicsBy Jade Cunanan June 9, 2024

I have a case of impostor syndrome tonight, because a week ago I was asked, “could you turn up to the launch I’m doing at Gerard Henderson’s office of this book”.

Details

Jun92024

(2024) John MacBean. Newcastle Man Who Rose to the Top of the Australian Unions

Industrial RelationsBy Jade Cunanan June 9, 2024

John MacBean was born with the battle for workers’ rights in his blood, secured a 38-hour working week for health workers and promoted women within the union movement.

Details

Mar112024