The Hollow State: Power Without Purpose in Australian Politics is a scathing analysis of how Australia’s political system has been drained of conviction, competence and purpose. Drawing on decades of political commentary, analysis and insider knowledge, Peter van Onselen offers a compelling account of how managerialism, personality cults, media decline and institutional erosion have hollowed out Australian democracy.
From the rise of spin over substance to the collapse of internal party democracy, this book exposes the decay of meaningful governance and the triumph of tactics over strategy.
With forensic insight and unapologetic critique, The Hollow State captures the frustrations of voters, the failure of elites and the shrinking space for serious policy reform.
Shorty: Mistaken Identity or Stitch Up? is the story of Stephen ‘Shorty’ Jamieson, a man who has spent 37 years in prison for brutal crimes he has always said he didn’t commit. Born with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder and made a ward of the state as an infant, he was arrested with four juveniles for the abduction and murder of Janine Balding despite the juveniles telling police, “You’ve got the wrong Shorty.”
Stephen was convicted after signing a contested confession in Australia’s first criminal trial using DNA evidence, yet critical DNA linking another suspect to the crimes was never tested, leaving questions about the wrong Shorty.
Now with modern DNA technology, the fresh and compelling evidence could finally prove that police arrested the wrong Shorty.
Shorty is a gripping true story of injustice, disputed evidence and a man’s neverending fight to clear his name.
From the dusty goldfields of Kalgoorlie to the corridors of international libertarianism, Ron Manners built more than just mining companies, he built movements. A fifth-generation prospector, Manners wasn’t content with striking gold underground; he struck ideological gold by challenging the intellectual status quo, founding the Mannkal Economic Education Foundation and mentoring thousands of young minds across Australia.
Damon Kitney’s new biography of Manners’ life, Heroic Humility charts his evolution from industrious teenager to outspoken capitalist, exposing the personal convictions and public battles that reshaped the legacy of his century-old family business, built a gold mining colossus named Croesus and shaped a lifetime of challenging bureaucracy and mediocrity.
Candid, compelling and brimming with the entrepreneurial energy of its subject, this is the definitive story of a true legend in Australian business and civic life.
“Success in life depends on your ability to influence others.” — Michael Yardney
Life is a constant negotiation – with your boss, your partner, your kids, and your clients. In this timely and transformational guide, bestselling author Michael Yardney shares the tools that drive success in today’s hyper-connected, AI-enhanced world. Whether you’re negotiating a business deal, a pay rise, or dinner plans, understanding the science and art of influence is your competitive edge.
With real-world strategies and deeply human insights, Negotiate, Influence, Persuade will transform how you conduct business, lead others, and navigate life’s toughest conversations. It’s more than a manual on sales — it’s a roadmap to motivating people and shaping outcomes with integrity.
Last Words by Phillip Adams is a captivating collection of essays from a masterful storyteller and cultural commentator. While Adams humorously questions whether these are his “last words,” this anthology showcases Adams’ wit, insight, and humour as he tackles topics ranging from politics and Beethoven to wine snobs and quirky life dilemmas like deleting a deceased friend’s phone number.
Whether exploring the world of politics or delving into life’s big questions with his trademark irreverence, Last Words highlights Adams’ knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary and making big ideas feel accessible.
Thought-provoking, funny, and occasionally poignant, this book is a celebration of a remarkable life and career.