Trivial Pursuit: Leadership and the End of the Reform Era (Quarterly Essay #40)

Trivial Pursuit: Leadership and The End Of The Reform EraIn Trivial Pursuit, George Megalogenis considers Australia’s political dead zone. The Hawke, Keating and early Howard years were ones of bold reform; recently we have seen an era of power without purpose. But why? Is it down to powerful lobbies, or the media, or a failure of leadership, or all of the above? And whatever the case, how will hard decisions be taken for the future?Megalogenis dissects the cycle of polls, focus groups and presidential politics and what it has done to the prospect of serious, difficult reform. He argues that politics-as-usual has become a self-defeating game and mounts a persuasive case for a different style of leadership. From now on, he argues, it is the key divisions between young and old, and north and south, that will shape the nation’s future. But can a hung parliament and a pragmatic Labor leader rise to the challenge?"One of Australia's most incisive political analysts." - The AustralianGeorge Megalogenis has thirty years experience in the media, including over a decade in the federal parliamentary press gallery. His book The Australian Moment won the 2013 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Non-fiction and the 2012 Walkley Award for Non-fiction. He is also author of Faultlines, The Longest Decade, Australia’s Second Chance, The Football Solution and three Quarterly Essays. In The Last Quarterly Essay For 2010, George Megalogenis Considers Australia's Political Dead Zone. The Hawke, Keating And Early Howard Years Were Ones Of Bold Reform; Recently We Have Seen An Era Of Power Without Purpose. But Why? Is It Down To Powerful Lobbies, Or The Media, Or A Failure Of Leadership, Or All The Above? And Whatever The Case, How Will Hard Decisions Be Taken For The Future? In Trivial Pursuit, Megalogenius Dissects The Cycle Of Polls, Focus Groups And Presidential Politics And What Is Has Done To The Prospect Of Serious, Difficult Reform. He Argues That Politics-as-usual Has Become A Self-defeating Game And Mounts A Persuasive Case For A Different Style Of Leadership. From Now On, He Argues, It Is The Key Divisions Between Young And Old, And North And South, That Will Shape The Nation's Future. But Can A Hung Parliament And A Pragmatic Labor Leader Rise To The Challenge? 'rudd, Gillard And Abbott Sought Power In 2010 On The Same Dangerous Premise, That No Sacrifice Is Required To Secure Our Future. Government On This Basis Is Never Worth It Because The Promise Of Painless Change Can Never Be Kept. The Voters Knew It, Which Is Why They Spared Themselves The Inevitable Let-down By Hanging The Parliament.' George Megalogenis, Trivial Pursuit In the aftermath of the 2010 election, George Megalogenis considers what has happened to politics in Australia. Have we entered a new phase with minority government and the rise of the Greens and independents?

The Hawke, Keating and Howard years were ones of bold reform; recently we have seen an era of power without purpose. But why? Is it down to powerful lobbies, or the media, or a failure of leadership, or all of the above? And whatever the case, how will hard decisions be taken for the future?

In a brilliant analysis, Megalogenis dissects the cycle of polls, focus groups and presidential politics and explores what it has done to the prospect of serious, difficult reform and the style of our leaders. He argues that politics-as-usual has become a self-defeating game and mounts a persuasive case for a different model of leadership.

This is also an essay that looks at the fate of progressive politics after the three years of opportunities lost. In distilling the meaning of election 2010, it offers a thought-provoking guide to the challenges to come. Now that the political landscape has changed, where to next?