PlayPolitical.com - Australian General Election

'The recession Australia had to have'

As Treasurer, Paul Keating did much to liberalise the Australian economy, and his confidence that what he was doing was right, was his ultimate political downfall as well.  In commenting on the recession that Australia was in during the early nineties, he said it was the recession "that Australia had to have".  It haunted Keating until he lost office in 1996.

Paul Keating prepares the way to unseat Bob Hawke

A four minute video of Paul Keating's 'Placido Domingo speech' which featured strongly in his second and successful campaign to replace Bob Hawke.  In the speech Mr Keating said that Australia had never had a great Prime Minister.  It wasn't very subtle.

Bob Hawke's fashion sense

Bob Hawke became Prime Minister just before Australia II won the much-coveted America's Cup in 1983. Upon seeing that the Australians had won the Cup, Hawke famously said that any boss that sacked their staff that had stayed up late to watch the race and so was late to work, was a "bum". Check out the jacket!!! Cheesy Australian patriotism at its best...

The Dismissal of Gough Whitlam

Iconic 70s Australian comedy interviewer Norman Gunston brings some light relief to The Dismissal of Gough Whitlam by the Governor General in 1975.

It's Time (for loving and caring and children and old people...)

It is disappointing to have to tell you that this cheesy commercial did not cost Gough Whitlam the 1972 election.  Australia's most left-wing Prime Minister survived in office for three years.