Australia: A History’ written by Tony Abbott was supported by the Institute of Public Affairs. The IPA employed a number of research assistants to assist Mr Abbott in the preparation of his work and the IPA helped finance the production of the Sky New documentary series that accompanies the release of ‘Australia: A History.
‘Tony Abbott should be congratulated … This history of Australia is vivid, readable, provocative’
Geoffrey Blainey, historian
Australia is one of the world’s great success stories: a land long hidden from outsiders, chosen as a convict dumping ground, where – since 1788 – people from many backgrounds have built one of the freest, fairest and most prosperous countries on earth.
By the standards of a harsher time, the early governors tried to respect the original inhabitants and to encourage the convict outcasts of the British Isles to make a new start to a better life. This Indigenous heritage, British foundation and immigrant character have shaped the land of the ‘fair go’ especially for those willing to ‘have a go’. It’s not perfect, even now, yet mostly we have a history to be proud of. Within a century of settlement, Australia had not only the world’s highest standard of living but had become a global pioneer for democratic freedoms such as the secret ballot, the payment of MPs and voting rights for women.
A country largely created by settlement and negotiation has evolved from ‘White Australia’ at the time of federation into one of the world’s most colour-blind societies and has managed the transition from an old ‘Anglo’ identity to a civic patriotism based on an overriding commitment to Australia and its values.
This book is intended to give anyone interested – as every Australian should be – an account of our past that’s positive, while not oblivious to our mistakes and imperfections as a nation. If to be an Australian is still to have won the lottery of life, the history that’s produced us is surely something to savour.
You can now buy Australia: A history by former Prime Minister Tony Abbott with a foreword by Geoffrey Blainey on Amazon here.
