Mark Latham (1) (1961–)

Latham has some important things to say in this book, about the state of politics today in Australia (and especially the problems of factionalism in the ALP) and also about the apathy and attitude of modern Australian society. Rarely is there a commentator willing to say it how it really is.
However, all this is undone by three factors. First is the vitriol. Latham would say he is just being honest, and Australian (because apparently being 'boofy' is authentic Australian), but often is is just sticking the knife in or trying to get back at people that pissed him off. Secondly, again and again Latham reveals himself as a hypocrite - making a big deal of his moves to change Parliamentary Super, yet he still got out with the old scheme. And it is this old scheme that allows him to slag off everyone (not having to worry about getting another job) and paint himself as a saint for choosing to be a stay-at-home Dad (not many Dad's get that financial choice in this country). If he really believed in his convictions he would have refused the old-style Parliamentary Super. Or complaining about the level of debate, only to descend into name-calling and character undermining.
The main thing that undoes the impact of this book is that it reads very much as though it was written in retrospect. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there is something about the way that it is written that makes this reader feel that the author did some judicious editing in hindsight.
So much possibility, such a waste.… (meer)