Don't read this, EZ. It might interest others though. Political books appear to interest G and G readers more than the Crime series I read.
BULLDOZED - SCOTT MORRISON'S FALL AND ANTHONY ALBANESE'S RISE: NIKKI SAVVA
Genre: non-fiction/Australian politics
Setting: Australia preceding the 2022 Federal election
Length - about 280 pages
Date - read it in November 2024
I chose this book because it was being discussed in the Aussie media. Nikki Savva calls herself a Left Wing Conservative - a contradiction in terms!
Nikky Savva is particularly thorough at researching a plethora of anecdotes and conversations amongst significant political entities.
One scenario I didn't know much about before reading this book, was that Scott Morrison was only really close politically to a NSW Fed Liberal MP, Alex Hawke. Hawke was very much Morrison's numbers man and his political operative in the shadows.
Like many PMs prior, Morrison didn't listen to supposedly sage advice. He was also close to the more moderate senior minister, Josh Friedenberg, who lost his seat, and presented a different style of LIberal face to the media than many of the Hard Right Libs and Nationals.
Morrison shafted plenty of his political mates on his side of politics. He is weirdly fatalistic with his Hillsong Church affiliation. How Savva compiles all these stories and conversations is incredible! Morrison wasn't a good team builder.
Morrison also totally underestimated Anthony Albanese - according to NS. Morrison is a very effective campaigner, and thought he would outperform Albanese in the 2021 election campaign.
The current Labor PM, assembled a very effective team unit of capable ministers who have worked as a team unit then - and since. The Labor team, was very much a team unit, and met a lot in person, who Albanese kept in the loop at all times, and has continued to so so. According to Savva, Labor has had more cogent policies at election times.
From direct experience, the one influence that Savva appears to know little about, was the union movement's mobilisation against Morrison in that election.
I'm simply astonished how much access NS gets, and records, from senior Liberal stakeholders. I'm simply gobsmacked how much is disclosed to her!
I'll put a note that this book is reviewed in Aus politics thread. If there is any response, some can be written in the Aus politics thread.
