Australia Fair? by James Walter - ISBN: 9780522882148
Paperback
Who shapes Australia’s future and how has it changed?
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Australia Fair?

Democracy, Bureaucracy and the Making of Modern Australia

$37.89

  • Paperback

    400 pages

  • Release Date

    14 July 2026

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Summary

Who advises politicians about the issues that impact our daily lives, and how has their advice changed over time?

In Australia Fair? authors James Walter and Carolyn Holbrook explore the world of departmental officials and political advisers who wield significant influence in shaping our society and assess how policy advice has changed since World War II. How has the relationship between our elected representatives and bureaucrats evolved? Have they delivered what the people …

Book Details

ISBN-13:9780522882148
ISBN-10:0522882145
Author:James Walter, Carolyn Holbrook
Publisher:Melbourne University Press
Imprint:Melbourne University Press
Format:Paperback
Number of Pages:400
Release Date:14 July 2026
Dimensions:234mm x 153mm
What They're Saying

Critics Review

“In an era of performative politics Walter and Holbrook show that it is policies rather than personalities that shape the fortunes of Australian governments and parties.” - Emeritus Professor Graeme Davison“This much-needed book deals with the long-term trajectories of policy making and how we think about equity in Australia. Be prepared to change your view on who does what in Australia’s corridors of power.” - Professor Jenny M. Lewis

About The Author

James Walter

James Walter is an emeritus professor at Monash University where he was formerly Head of the School of Political and Social Inquiry. A fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, and a former president of the Australian Political Studies Association, Walter has published widely on political biography, political advisers, political ideas, policy decision making and leadership. He was lead author of his last book The Pivot of Power: Australian Prime Ministers and Political Leadership, 1949-2016.

Carolyn Holbrook is an historian at Deakin University. Her most recent books are Challenging Anzacs: Stories That Don’t Fit the Legend with Mia Martin Hobbs and Joan Beaumont and Golden Age? Remembering the Hawke Government with Frank Bongiorno and Joshua Black. Holbrook is the director of Australian Policy and History, which connects historical evidence to contemporary political and social issues, and the Australian Health & History archive.

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