Landmark series on political evolution

The Land of Dreams AUTHOR: David Kemp PUBLISHER: Melbourne University Press

RRP: $59.99

REVIEWER: Mary Ann Elliott DAVID Kemp is well-placed to write this intriguing story of Australia’s political evolution.

A member of Federal Parliament for 14 years, he oversaw Employment, Education and Environment portfolios in the Howard government. Before and afterwards Kemp was an academic at Melbourne and Monash Universities.

This is the first in his landmark five-volume series covering the years up to 2018.

First spanning 1788-1860, he tells the story of how Australians gained the liberties they desired to take control of their lives and the right to govern themselves.

Kemp describes how Australians laid the foundations for one of the world’s most successful countries with unprecedented levels of personal liberty.

In brilliant political campaigns (waged without war) against policies imposed by a British government, our first leaders strived for a national identity; writing their own constitutions and introducing democracy.

The plight of Aboriginal people was addressed, and the anti-transportation campaign and abolition of convict slavery was roundly applauded, and implemented.

Concerns like ethnic diversity, social issues and pursuit of a classless society were fought over and hard-won.

Meanwhile self-interest abounded among the colonists with their greedy pursuit of land.

The old British ruling class was still in control with its policy of repressing indigenous people and obstreperous colonists.

But stalwarts like Adam Smith, William Wilberforce, Caroline Chisholm, Earl Grey, Henry Parkes and many others all took a firm hand in reform and liberalism.

“A convict nation from whose tainted root sprang godly stems”; Wentworth’s dream of a new order came to pass, in good time.

‘‘ THIS IS THE FIRST IN HIS LANDMARK FIVE-VOLUME SERIES COVERING THE YEARS UP TO 2018.