If you want change, change the government.
Anthony Albanese, 13 May 2022
Bulldozed is an engrossing and riveting account of Australian political history and the events of the Coalition government in its third term from 2019 to 2022. Written by distinguished journalist and political correspondent Niki Savva, it chronicles the events of the Morrison Government from the Black Summer bushfires in 2019 to the Australian federal election in 2022 and its aftermath. Key events of the book covered include the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic; the issues with candidate preselections within the NSW Liberal Party; the sexual assault allegations in Parliament House; the issues of climate change and the religious discrimination bill in Parliament; and the federal election campaigns of 2022 and aftermath from the perspectives of both the government and the opposition.
Thus there is a lot to cover in the three year time period of the book – and Savva relishes the minute details of the major political events, taking a magnifying glass to explain the accounts of events from prominent politicians, journalists, political staffers, public servants and insiders of the so called ‘Canberra bubble’, and those beyond it. The book’s core strength is Savva’s access to the insiders and people in Canberra, and their accounts and stories give the book a strong sense of authenticity and realism.
The picture painted is a grim and unpleasant one of the former Prime Minister – with relentless attacks on Scott Morrison and his government in office. In the first chapter alone he is described as “secretive and that he lied; that he was stubborn; that he bullied people; that even if he sought advice, he seldom took it; and that he had little interest in policy.” This is continued with “[He] was a deeply flawed personality” and “a duplicitous, damaged leader with limited horizons and appalling judgement” who “rarely understood what Australians expected of a prime minister.” Prepare the fireworks and popcorn – this one is a political grenade on the Morrison Government.
It is an engrossing and fascinating read of how, as political editor Peter Harcher describes, “he bulldozed his party into electoral oblivion” over a 3 year period, starting with the Black Summer bushfires in 2019. Time and again she recounts of how Morrison’s “appalling judgement” lead to the despair, anguish and anger of those inside and outside the government and the Liberal Party on matters of policy, governance and leadership. Highlighting this is the troubled war in the NSW Liberal Party over candicate preselections for the 2022 federal election, and the widening gap between moderates and conservatives over policy within the Government and the party.
This is complemented by the rise and emergence of Anthony Albanese, the Labor Party and the independent teals during the election campaign, who campaigned on three major issues – justice for women, climate change, and integrity in Parliament – all of which the government failed to address in its time in office.
The second half of the book covers the election campaign of 2022, and offers a unique inside into the Labor Party and its (then) shadow ministers, and their journey towards polling day on 21 May 2022. Savva’s insider knowledge and contacts come into play here, making it an interesting primary account of events from the politicians and staffers. Also covered is the increase in the Greens vote and the rise of the teals across Australia, who won seats from traditional blue Liberal electorates. Morrison’s secret portfolio scandal and its aftermath are also covered, when he secretly had himself sworn as minister of five portfolios during the pandemic. Finally, the aftermath of the election is also examined from both Liberal and Labor Party headquarters. In true Canberra spirit, there are also some hilarious moments within the book that I won’t spoil (check the chapter titles for hints).
Unfortunately there is a distinct disinterest in regards to the policy and governance of the Morrison Government, and in particular in matters of foreign affairs, defence, and social services (e.g. the Robodebt scheme). It seems Savva is more interested in political gossip and the people, rather than the overarching foundations of Parliament, such as bills, legislation and policy for ordinary Australians. The tone of the book is also informal and driven by people’s accounts and stories rather than the bigger political events. Given the large amount of characters within the book, an index would also have been beneficial.
Nonetheless Bulldozed is a riveting and well researched book into the events and downfall of the Morrison Government that will be studied by political analysts and historians for years to come. Highly recommended for anyone with an interest in the politics and governance of modern Australia.
Rating: 8/10
As always, thanks for reading.
Links to further reading and articles:
https://scribepublications.com.au/books-authors/books/bulldozed-9781922585981
https://scribepublications.com.au/blog/bulldozed-launch-speeches-by-laurie-oakes-and-niki-savva
Andrew Reviews 