‘Retiring in 1975, Fred Daly liked to tell the story of the new Member who sat next to him in the House. Turning to Fred, he said, ‘I like to sit here and look across at the enemy.’ ‘Son, ‘ said Fred, ‘you are looking at the Opposition. The enemy is behind you.’ ‘ Phillip Adams has been close to governments of various persuasions for over fifty years. Having been a confidant – or a fierce opponent – of many of Australia’s most influential figures over that time, he has built up an unparalleled collection of anecdotes about our political and cultural leaders. Backstage Politics is also something of a personal memoir, tracing Adams’ life in politics, media and the arts over the years. To make the collection complete, he even invited the pollies themselves to submit their stories, the most enthusiastic respondent – not surprisingly – being Senator Barnaby Joyce. The biggest characters of public life emerge afresh in these pages. From Menzies to Rudd – via Gorton, Whitlam, Fraser, Hawke, Keating, Hanson, Howard et al. – Backstage Politics takes us on a funny, insightful and revealing journey through the Australian political landscape. WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY BRUCE PETTY
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