Downfall: How the Labor Party Ripped Itself Apart

It's the biggest and most puzzling story in Australian politics: how did the Australian Labor Party go from a thumping win in 2007 to facing annhilation in the forthcoming election? Other books have pointed to a lack of coherent policies and an over-reliance on polls--all true--but as this book makes clear, Labor's biggest problem is one nobody wants to talk about; ethics. Or rather, the lack of them.

Dogged by scandal, tainted by self-serving heavies and political opportunists, Brand Labor is a shabby shadow of its former self. Can the much touted next leader, Bill Shorten act to save it, or will he proceed with business as usual?

AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW journalist Aaron Patrick takes us behind the scenes of the dying ALP and charts the mistakes, scandals and PR disasters which characterize modern Labor and the simultaneous corrosion of a once great party from within. It will show what led to the shocking political downfall at federal and state levels and asks if--and how--a party so discredited can survive.