(2017) Labour, Liberty, and Catholic Action in Victoria
Race Mathews new book on Catholic influence – once prominent now largely faded – on the ALP in Victoria is a fascinating story.
(2016) Unusually Lethal: Santamaria’s Life
Santamaria: A Most Unusual Man, Gerard Henderson’s biography of Bartholomew Augustus Santamaria (1915-1998) is well researched, controversial, and insightful. The first book-length biography of Santamaria, the subtitle A Most Unusual Man immediately suggests that the work is no hagiography.
(2015) A Man of Integrity, Not for Turning. Former Federal Attorney General Kep Enderby Remembered
Kep Enderby, QC, barrister, civil libertarian, politician and judge, is best known for his role as federal Attorney-General in 1975, advising the prime minister Gough Whitlam at the time of the Dismissal.
(2015) More Free Votes
Tanya Plibersek’s push to compel all Labor MPs to a binding vote in support of same sex marriage is a sincere stance emanating from personal conviction. Her passionate conviction, nonetheless, does not trump the conscience of others. That is why her unreasonable position must be rejected by the ALP, regardless of where individuals stand on the marriage issue.
(2015) From Lord John to Labor Council President
John Joseph Whelan, unionist, police officer, man of many careers and service, raconteur, family man, was born June 9, 1934, and passed away peacefully after a determined battle with Alzheimer’s, on Sunday August 16, 2015, aged 81.
(2015) Letter to the Editor
Greg Sheridan’s recently published memoir shows him to be a superb writer and a romantic. Unfortunately, the latter trait colours his assertions recently published in The Australian about the officers of the Labor Council of NSW and the NCC.
(2013) Union Leader Guided by Principles: Michael O’Sullivan, 1941-2013
Michael O’Sullivan was leader of the Federated Clerks Union, a superannuation pioneer and a corporate governance advocate. He was the chair of the $7 billion CareSuper fund (a director from 1996 to 2012) and president for a decade to 2011 of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors.
(2013) Whitlam, Industrial Relations and Failing Grandly
One of the surprises of Australian political history is that a government derided, traduced, and trounced in a smashing electoral defeat has over the passage of time come to be regarded as more substantial and worthy. A just account of the Whitlam government (1972-1975), however, requires acknowledgement of both certain grandeur and certain incompetence.
(2013) Michael Maher: M.P. Put His Heart and Soul into Bettering Lives
Michael Maher was greatly admired across the political spectrum as a diligent, local MP who saw the vocation of politics as serving the people.
(2012) Ross, Lloyd Robert Maxwell (1901-1987)
Ross, Lloyd Maxwell (1901-1987), labour intellectual, WEA tutor union official and writer, was born on February 28, 1901 in Brisbane, son of Robert (Bob) Samuel and Ethel (nee Slaughter) Ross. Another son, Edgar was born in 1903.