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Tales from the Political Trenches
Tales from the Political Trenches is an intimate account of one of the most tumultuous periods in Australian politics, as well as a tale of personal change.
After winning a spectacular victory against Prime Minister John Howard in 2007, McKew was one of the many casualties of the disastrous 2010 election campaign, when Labor was left clinging to the wreckage and forced into minority government. Still dealing with her own disappointments in a political career cut short by the machinations of her own party, McKew has spent the past year talking to her colleagues in an effort to understand what went wrong.
Maxine McKew counters the view that in 2010 Julia Gillard was a reluctant conscript who was forced to move against a chaotic and dysfunctional Kevin Rudd—and offers a different version of events. Says McKew "Rudd was removed by an impatient deputy backed by a group of individuals who see themselves as the 'owners' of the Labor party".
Why is Labor now operating through the uncertainty of minority government and from a position of diminished trust? And why is our political culture so debauched? Tales from the Political Trenches is a must-read for those who have followed the events of the past few years and are still asking, 'What the hell happened?'
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Category Archives: Bennelong News
Another Step Forward on Air Warfare Destroyers
The Gillard Labor Government today announced that Rohde and Schwarz Australia has been selected as the preferred supplier for the suite of radio equipment to equip Australia’s Hobart Class Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD). The $8 billion AWD project is … Continue reading
Improving Translation Services in Aged Care
Maxine McKew, Member for Bennelong, today welcomed the announcement that a re-elected Gillard Labor Government will improve translation services for older Australian residents in aged care who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. “Often older Australians from … Continue reading
More Wireless Towers Coming to Street Corners and Parks Near You
Federal Labor Member for Bennelong Maxine McKew today called on the Liberal opposition candidate to come clean and explain how many more broadband towers would be built locally under the Liberal’s ad-hoc broadband policy. “The Liberal opposition candidate has … Continue reading
Epping to Parramatta Rail Link
A re-elected Gillard Labor Government in partnership with the NSW Government will build the Parramatta to Epping Rail Link, a clear missing link in Sydney’s rail network. Tackling Sydney’s transport problems requires long term investment in economic transport infrastructure … Continue reading
Senator Chris Evans visits Christian Community Aid in Eastwood
On Monday Senator Chris Evans, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, joined Maxine McKew, Member for Bennelong, at a morning tea with Christian Community Aid (CCA) in Eastwood. CCA received $78,000 under the Labor Government’s 2010-2011 Settlement Grants Program, to assist … Continue reading
Inspection of solar panels at Eastwood Public School
Minister for Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water Senator Penny Wong and Federal Member for Bennelong Maxine McKew today inspected solar panels at Eastwood Public School funded under the National Solar Schools Program, as well as additional solar panels on … Continue reading
Coalition to take Macquarie University backwards
Tony Abbott wants to bring back caps on places for students, re-introduce full up-front fees and make university accessible to only those who can pay, Minister for Education, Simon Crean, and Member for Bennelong, Maxine McKew, said today. … Continue reading
Opening of Trade Training Centre at Epping Boys High School
Maxine McKew, Member for Bennelong last night opened the new Trade Training Centre at Epping Boys’ High School in Eastwood. The $1.3 million centre will deliver high quality skills training in hospitality to students from Epping Boys’, Cheltenham Girls and … Continue reading
$1.6 million for the Roselea Community Centre
The Gillard Labor Government has pledged to fund the full refurbishment and upgrade of the Roselea Community Centre if elected on August 21. The announcement was made today by Federal Minister for Housing and the Status for Women Tanya … Continue reading
$1.1 million for the Ryde Riverwalk
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Local Government, Anthony Albanese, and Labor Member for Bennelong, Maxine McKew, announced today that the Federal Labor Government will partner with the City of Ryde to construct the ‘Ryde Riverwalk’, a pedestrian and cycle pathway … Continue reading