How to make Australian politics exciting

A guide

We are on the eve of another federal election, and Australia’s ongoing political apathy is both our blessing and our curse. Thank God we don’t suffer from the cringe-inducing patriotic insanity of the United States. But our relative blindness to our politicians and political processes can ultimately hurt us.

About fifteen years ago, I was mentored by the fabulous playwright Michael Gurr, who also served as a speechwriter for some powerful lefty Victorian politicians. On a train ride, he handed me a copy of The Monthly and said, ‘Read this from cover to cover, and read it every month - it’s compulsory as an Australian’.

And I’ve primarily followed his advice. My father and Michael introduced me to politics as great fun. They also helped me divorce existential dread from the entire thing - so many people find politicians vomit-inducing and unwatchable. Yes, I agree with you - but once you lean back, discover that you have some power in the process and look at a broad point of view, it can take on the delightful spectacle of a three-ring circus. There are personalities, comedies, tragedies, and many reasons for hope.

With that in mind, here are some key works I would recommend to try to persuade you to pay more attention to politics.