Friday 10 October
2:30pm – 4:00 pm
S226 Seminar Room, Department of Media and Communications
John Woolley Building, Level 2 entry off Manning Road
Leadership coups have become a frequent, if unwelcome, part of Australian politics in recent years. In his latest book, Disposable Leaders: Media and leadership coups from Menzies to Abbott, Rodney Tiffen investigates the history and significance of this type of leadership merry-go-round for our democracy. His research finds the drama, backbiting and intrigue of the Rudd–Gillard, Abbott–Turnbull, and Hawke–Keating federal leadership struggles are not unique. On the contrary, since 1970, there has been a total of 73 successful leadership challenges in the Labor Party and the Liberal National Party at either federal or state level. Tiffen argues these highly personal political conflicts, occurring under intense media scrutiny, and at ever-increasing rates, inevitably affect not only political decision-making and relationships, but also policy directions and outcomes (Image: Design by Committee).
Rodney Tiffen is Emeritus Professor in Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney. His earlier books include Rupert Murdoch. A Reassessment; How Australia Compares (co-authored with Ross Gittins); Diplomatic Deceits. Government, Media and East Timor; Scandals. Media, Politics and Corruption in Contemporary Australia; and News and Power. He worked with the independent Finkelstein inquiry into the media (2011-12).
Mark Scott AO is the Secretary of the NSW Department of Education, the largest education system in Australia, and former Managing Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2006-2016). Mark was named an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2011 for distinguished service to media and communications, and to the community through advisory and governance roles with a range of social justice and educational bodies. He has also been awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Sydney and UNSW.
This book launch is jointly hosted by the University of Sydney’s Department of Media and Communications and the Department of Government and International Relations.