Looking for the Light on the Hill: modern Labor's challenges

(Paperback)

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Today, despite being in government, Labor is in crisis. Reduced to minority government after just one term and tanking in the opinion polls (the lowest primary vote in 25 years of Newspoll), how did it come to this so soon Labor's true believers see the party at a defining moment in its history: in government, but without an inspiring vision or a bold program of reform to animate Labor's enduring values or define its purpose. Politicians, union leaders, and party officials are openly talking about the need for a new vision for Labor, debate on policy ideas, and internal party reform. Challenged by the Greens on the left and the Coalition on the right, Australia's oldest political party is in real trouble. This book shows how Labor can get its mojo back with new ideas, a new strategy, and a refreshing of Labor's values for the modern era. The book also examines the Labor Party from the inside, and outlines a series of reforms to increase party membership, and to boost engagement with the community and party activists. Looking for the Light on the Hill draws on Labor's history with fresh and new perspectives and insights from current and former Labor identities, and includes the secret components of the ALP's recent review report. Written by a party insider and Rudd government adviser, this book could not be more timely or more important for Australian politics.

Reviews

'I think this is the best of the current crop of books charting new Labor ... Bramston will make a difference.'

--Canberra Times

'Troy Bramston's book is a stand-out. His elegant prose and bold criticisms make it hard to put down, and its blend of history, current affairs and ideas for the future make it impossible to ignore.'

--Courier Mail

'[Looking for the Light on the Hill] is stuffed full of quotes, references and stray facts that distil over 100 years of party history. It will stimulate readers to pursue some of these tendrils and track other books and build their knowledge of party history. More importantly it presents an agenda for party reform.'

--Bob Carr "Thoughtlines "

'Bramston argues for boldness, reinvention. He ... identifies policy timidity and the laziness of Labor's lost decade in the Opposition ... a comprehensive effort: strong on Labor's history, reverential towards the modern greats - Whitlam, Hayden, Hawke and Keating - and, in the end, more idealistic than fatalistic.'

--Maxine McKew "The Monthly "

'Bramston's views should be taken seriously ... he is a commentator in the best traditions of the NSW Labor Party, which has long seemed to take its history and traditions more seriously ... Looking for the Light on the Hill is crammed with references to the party and leaders of yesteryear; in comparison, the modern party is often found to be wanting. This gives the book a slightly nostalgic quality, but one mitigated by Bramston's conviction that party renewal means taking inspiration from the past rather than reliving it ... an astute diagnosis of the ills afflicting the modern Labor Party, as well as some ways in which the party might set about trying to resolve its problems.'

--Frank Bongiorno "Inside Story "

'Troy Bramston proffers a spirited analysis of Labor's problems and specific suggestions on how to address them ... This is thought-provoking stuff from a passionate true believer.'

--Roy Williams "The Weekend Australian "

Author Bio

Troy Bramston has been a senior writer and columnist with The Australian newspaper, and a contributor to Sky News, since 2011. He was previously a columnist with The Sunday Telegraph. Troy is the author or editor of nine books, including Paul Keating- the big-picture leader (2016), and, co-authored with Paul Kelly, The Dismissal- in the Queen's name (2015). He was the co-winner of the Australian Book Industry Award for The Dismissal. His biography of Paul Keating was a finalist for the Walkley Award, shortlisted for the National Biography Award, and longlisted for the Australian Book Industry Award. He was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001. Troy has worked as a policy and political adviser, and speechwriter in government, opposition, and the private sector. He lives in Sydney with his wife, Nicky, and two children, Madison and Angus.