We Should Be So Lucky, the first book to be released under the Prospect Editions imprint, delves into the secrets behind Australia’s remarkable success and why its relative prosperity and good living is not just luck.
Australia is often referred to as the 'Lucky Country’ where good fortune has delivered people greater wealth, longer lives and better healthcare. But as Andrew argues, the country’s relative prosperity and longevity is not just luck – it stems from a unique blend of political, social and economic institutions and values.
Drawing on his vast experience in global business and finance and his deep connection to Australia, Andrew offers a compelling analysis of how the Australian Way works and why it matters. The book is both a celebration of what Australia has achieved and a guide for other democracies seeking solutions to their own challenges.
’A most interesting and positive analysis.’ John Howard, former prime minister of Australia
’What makes Australia so special, and what we need to guard against.’ Lucy Hughes Turnbull, former lord mayor of Sydney
'[A] brilliantly researched analysis’ Bob Carr, former Australian foreign minister and premier of NSW
’An insightful view of Australia’s past successes. More importantly, a way forward for western democracies in the challenging era ahead’ Nick Greiner, former premier of NSW and Australian consul-general New York
Spis treści
Introducing Australia xi
The Australian Way xiii
The changing world xv
Why the Australian Way works xviii
Lessons of the Australian Way xxi
Lessons for Australia xxvii
* * *
I. WHAT MAKES AUSTRALIA DIFFERENT
What is an Australian? 3
Egalitarians 6
Individualists 10
Indulgence over restraint 12
Short-term focus 15
The safety nation 18
Competitive achievers 21
The need for balance 22
Suburbia and Sport 27
Cities 29
Sport 31
Giving it a go 34
Fair Go 37
What is a fair go? 39
Innovation and having a go 40
The arts 41
Sceptical Pragmatism 45
Wages and unions 49
Cohesive community 51
II. THE AUSTRALIAN DREAM
The First Australians 55
Recognition 58
Australia Day 59
Closing the gap 61
Born by Ballot not Battlefield 65
A unique democracy 68
Current challenges 74
Boundless Plains to Share 79
The immigration debate 84
Cohesion in a multicultural society 86
Somewheres and Anywheres 89
Making it work today 91
III. AUSTRALIAN DREAMS
Healthy 95
Does it work? 97
How does it work? 98
Primary care and diagnostics 100
Other factors 102
Keeping it going 103
Wealthy 105
Superannuation 112
The complexity myth 113
Wise 123
Australian universities 124
Australian schools 127
Losing the advantage 128
Can the Australian Way return? 130
Diverse 133
States and cities 133
Gender 136
Disadvantage 137
Fragmentation 138
Democratic 141
Democracy and balance 142
The alternative model 145
The future 148
Technology and social media 149
IV. AUSTRALIA’S PLACE IN THE WORLD
Island Nation 157
The fear of invasion 159
The psychology of perceived distance 163
Climate and population 163
Australia’s approach 164
The China Challenge 165
What does Australia have to fear? 171
China and the United States 174
A core- interests playbook 175
Which China? 176
Underestimating power 179
American Umbrella? 181
Australian views 185
The US in Asia 187
Ascendant Asia 191
Diplomacy in the 21st Century 201
Britain 202
The republic 206
Europe 207
Diplomacy in the 21st century 209
V. THE LUCKY COUNTRY
Making it Last 213
Economic backsliding 214
Energy and climate 216
Housing 220
Tolerating mediocrity 222
Still Lucky, Still Working 225
Why nations succeed or fail 227
Sharpening the saw 228
Still lucky, still working 229
* * *
Notes and Further Reading 233
About the Author 269
Index 271
O autorze
Andrew Low’s interest in Australia’s unique culture, institutions and place in the world started when he grew up in the small town of Mount Isa in the Queensland Outback, having migrated from Namibia. He went on to become head of Asia for Macquarie Capital, global head of Macquarie’s Telecom, Media, Entertainment & Technology and Financial Services practices, chief operating officer for Macquarie Capital Advisers, chief executive of Red Bridge Grant Samuel, and then global head of investment banking for the international arm of China’s largest securities f irm, CITIC Securities. Andrew is, or has been, a chair or director for organisations such as Advance Global Australians, Asia Society Australia, the Australia Foundation UK, the Australian British Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Ballet Foundation UK, the Australia-Japan Business Cooperation Committee, the Bell Shakespeare Company, the Europe Australia Business Council, Genea Biomedx and PRP Diagnostic Imaging. He has degrees in Economics and Asian Studies, and has also studied at Tsinghua University and at the Harvard Business School.
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