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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
Supporting children and teenagers with disabilities
Maxine McKew, Member for Bennelong today welcomed $148,719 funding over three years for Minimbah Challenge to continue delivering Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) for local children and teenagers, aged 5 – 18, with disabilities. Minimbah Challenge provides OSHC to local … Continue reading
Life-saving equipment for Royal North Shore Hospital
Federal Labor will deliver important $400,000 worth of life-saving equipment to Royal North Shore Hospital’s Emergency Department, including cardiac monitoring equipment, upgraded information technology, a mechanical ventilator and specialist trauma beds. Funding for the equipment was announced by Parliamentary Secretary … Continue reading
Labor leading on climate change
Maxine McKew, Member for Bennelong, today welcomed the Prime Minister’s plans to lead the debate on climate change with strong action to ‘green up’ existing buildings and connect renewable energy to Australian homes. Ms McKew said the Tax Breaks for … Continue reading
Life-saving equipment for Ryde Hospital
The Gillard Labor Government will provide funding for more emergency department equipment for Ryde Hospital. Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, joined the Member for Bennelong, Maxine McKew, to announce funding of more than $133,000 for an ECG machine, a slit … Continue reading
Green building project completed in Macquarie Park
Innovation Minister Senator Kim Carr and the Member for Bennelong, Maxine McKew MP, today formally opened premises in Macquarie Park which have benefited from an environmentally-friendly makeover with Gillard Labor Government funding. Local Government Super’s property at 2-4 Lyon Park … Continue reading
Gillard Government will move Australia forward
Maxine McKew, Member for Bennelong, welcomed Prime Minister Gillard’s announcement that the Federal Election will be held on August 21. Ms McKew said she was committed to better schools and hospitals, a strong economy and a sustainable Australia. “Since being … Continue reading
Local recipients of 2010 Volunteer Grants
Maxine McKew, Member for Bennelong today announced $45,546 worth of funding for 12 community organisations to support their volunteers. “Volunteers are the backbone of so many of our community groups,” Ms McKew said. “Every day they are out in our … Continue reading
Bennelong set to benefit from new community infrastructure
Maxine McKew, Member for Bennelong, has welcomed the opening of applications for all councils in Bennelong under Round Three of the Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program (RLCIP). “This round will provide up to $885,000 for local governments in Bennelong … Continue reading
Australian Curriculum special briefing for local Principals
Maxine McKew hosted a special briefing for more than seventy local principals and executive staff with Professor Barry McGaw, Chair of the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA), at Eastwood Heights Public School last Friday. This followed the Bennelong … Continue reading
National observing system to probe earth
The Australian Government will invest $23 million in a new Australian Geophysical Observing System (AGOS) to increase our understanding of the earth’s crust and its resources. AuScope Limited, a consortium of 23 universities, government bodies and research organisations, will develop … Continue reading