ADVANCES

Clive James in Mildura Open Short Story Award category, entries should be between The Mildura Writers’ Festival, held over a weekend in late 2000 and 3000 words. The Boroondara Literary Awards also July, consolidated its reputation as one of ’s most reward young writers who live, work or go to school in pleasurable literary festivals. When, we wonder, will tout Boroondara. Poems or prose pieces on any subject are invited and Sydney realise how good it is, and make the for the Young Writers Awards category. The closing date is journey. opened the festival with a memorable September 19. For further information and an entry form, visit lecture on questions of celebrity and the poetry of Philip www.boroondara.vic.gov.au, e-mail [email protected] Hodgins. We have much pleasure in publishing his 2003 or call the City of Boroondara on (03) 9278 4444. La Trobe University/Australian Book Review Annual Lecture in this issue. Whose Event? The Australian Centre for Youth Literature, as part of its popular ‘Booktalkers for Adults’ series, will be hosting ‘Ab- solute Joke! Books That Make You Laugh’ on October 14 at the Vision Australia Complex in Kooyong. It will feature Nick Earls, Adam Ford, and James Moloney. On October 28 the Centre will present ‘Whose Story? Whose Place? Whose Voice?’ at The Age Library, Broadmeadows. Authors Isobelle Carmody, Scott Gardner and Jim Schembri will be joined by Age journalists John Kilner and Linda Pearce. For details and bookings, contact the ACYL on (03) 8664 7014.

Mentoring in Darwin The Northern Territory Writers’ Centre is calling for applica- tions from young and emerging Territory writers for the first stage of its 2003–04 mentorship programme. The aim is to A packed Mildura Arts Centre Theatre for the 2003 provide professional development for five writers. Jared Tho- La Trobe University/ABR Annual Lecture mas, Stephen Gray and Kim Caraher are the appointed men- tors. Entries close on September 26. Information can be found Brisbane Highlights at www.ntwriters.com.au; otherwise, e-mail [email protected]. The 2003 Brisbane Writers’ Festival (October 1 to 5) looks promising, too. The theme is the ubiquitous ‘Place’. Guests Insecurity at Griffith will include Peter Porter, Rachel Cusk, David Marr, John Quarterlies don’t have the easiest time in the hectic new Marsden, Elliot Perlman and Eva Sallis. For more details go to millennium, but here’s a new one that is worth a look: the www.brisbanewritersfestival.com.au. Griffith Review, which is published by in association with ABC Books. The theme of the first issue is Patrick McCaughey at fortyfive downstairs ‘Insecurity in the New World Order’. Contributors include If you want to know what happened to Picasso’s Weeping John Birmingham, Frank Moorhouse, Irris Makler, Chalmers Woman, or the secrets of the Kremlin on St Kilda Road, Johnson and the ABC’s own Geraldine Doogue and Norman or what it was like dealing with Australian artists, first Swan. An annual subscription costs $66. For details, write to you should read Patrick McCaughey’s memoir, The Bright Griffith Review, Griffith University, Kessels Road, Nathan Shapes and the True Names (just published by Text), then you should buy a ticket to our next ABR Forum, on September QLD 4111. 25, when Patrick McCaughey, a regular contributor to ABR, will be in conversation with its Editor, Peter Rose. Full details Highlights of PoeticA appear on page 29. ABR subscribers, as always, are entitled PoeticA, Radio National’s poetry programme, is always worth to a discount. listening to on a Saturday afternoon, however clement. Com- ing highlights include programmes devoted to the work Get out Your White Gloves of Robert Adamson and Alex Skovron, on September 20 Garden history enthusiasts are invited to a White Gloves and October 25, respectively. evening at the National Library of Australia on October 3, when they will be able to hold as well as see some of Welcome and Thanks the library’s abundant collection. Bookings are essential: Special thanks to the record number of new subscribers who (02) 6262 1698, or e-mail [email protected]. joined us over winter, and to the many existing subscribers who have been faxing us the cover sheet telling us when they Writers Wanted to Win Prizes received the issue. This information is most useful as we go on Aspiring writers are invited to enter the Boroondara Literary monitoring the postal service and endeavouring to reach our Awards. To be in the running for the first prize of $2000 in the subscribers as early in the month as we possibly can.

Archived at Flinders University: dspace.flinders.edu.au AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW SEPTEMBER 2003 1 Contents

LETTERS Robert Corcoran 4

POLITICS David Flint: The Twilight of the Élites Gideon Haigh 7 Judith Brett: Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class Nathan Hollier 8 Alastair Greig, Frank Lewins and Kevin White: Inequality in Australia Philip Mendes: Australia’s Welfare Wars Mark Peel 10 Mark Peel: The Lowest Rung Rob Watts 11

LETTER FROM BAGHDAD D.T. Potts 13

REFERENCE J.L. Heilbron (ed): The Oxford Companion to the History of Modern Science Robyn Williams 15 SPORT Gary Linnell: Playing God Steve Strevens: Bob Rose Brian Matthews 17 Geoffrey Blainey: A Game of Our Own Brent Crosswell 19

LA TROBE UNIVERSITY ESSAY The Meaning of Recognition Clive James 21

FILM Adrian Martin: The Mad Max Movies Louis Nowra: Walkabout Christos Tsiolkas: The Devil’s Playground Brian McFarlane 30

PERFORMING ARTSJohn Whiteoak and Aline Scott-Maxwell (eds): Currency Companion to Music and Dance in Australia John Rickard 32 Geoffrey Bolton, Richad Rossiter and Jan Ryan (eds): Farewell Cinderella Wendy Were 34

ART Bruce James: Australian Surrealism Patricia Anderson 36 Elizabeth Butel (ed.): Art and Australia by Margaret Preston Alisa Bunbury 37

MEDIA Bridget Griffen-Foley: Party Games Mick O'Regan 38

SOCIETY John Keane: Global Civil Society? Guy Rundle 40 Miriam Cosic: The Right to Die? Justin Oakley 42

POEMS Stephen Edgar 41 Peter Steele 51

ASIAN STUDIES Martin Stuart-Fox: A Short History of China and Southeast Asia David Reeve 43 Damian Kingsbury: Power Politics and the Indonesian Military Angela Romano: Politics and the Press in Indonesia John Martinkus 44

MILITARY HISTORY Steve Eather: Desert Sands Mark Johnston 46

BIOGRAPHY Pamela Statham-Drew: James Stirling David Hutchison 47

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MEMOIR Robert Hillman: The Boy in the Green Suit Michael McGirr 49 Zoltan Torey: Out of the Darkness David McCooey 50

FICTION Nikki Gemmell: The Bride Stripped Bare Owen Richardson 52 M.J. Hyland: How the Light Gets In Miriam Zolin: Tristessa and Lucido Madeleine Byrne 53

CRIME FICTION Lindy Cameron: Thicker Than Water Kerry Greenwood: The Castlemaine Murders Lee Tulloch: The Cutting Dianne Dempsey 54

POETRY Geoff Page: Drumming on Water David Gilbey 56

LITERARY CRITICISM Sean Monahan: A Long and Winding Road Shirley Walker 57

AWARDS Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards Pam Macintyre 58

YOUNG ADULT FICTION Justin D’Ath: Infamous Archimede Fusillo: An Earful of Static Sue Lawson: Ferret Boy Kierin Meehan: Night Singing Judith Ridge 59

YOUNG ADULT FANTASY Melaina Faranda: The Circle Rosanne Hawke: Wolfchild Damien Morgan: Gil’s Quest Emily Rodda: Rowan of the Bukshah Lucy Sussex: The Revognase Karen Brooks 61

CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS Margaret Balderson, illus. Janine Dawson: Junkyard Dogs Ian Bone, illus. Anna Pignataro: Dancing Night, Tonight Rina A. Foti, illus. Ellen J. Hickman: Hooray for Chester Joan Grant, illus. Neil Curtis: Cat and Fish Christine Nicholls (ed.): The Magic Fire at Warlukurlangu Christine Nicholls (ed.): The Spotted Cat Bruce Whatley: Dragons of Galapagos Stella Lees 62

Archived at Flinders University: dspace.flinders.edu.au AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW SEPTEMBER 2003 3 Letters

ABR welcomes letters from our readers. Correspondents should note that letters may be edited. Letters and e-mails must reach us by the middle of the current month, and must include a telephone number for verification.

Santamaria absolved less-than-realistic aims were the outcome of ideological theo- Dear Editor, ries of society that Santamaria absorbed from several different As one who was both active in the Labor Party at the time sources during his youth. They crystallised in his heart and of The Split and also a Catholic, I agree with almost every- mind, despite the impracticality of such dreams in the twenti- thing in Heather Nash’s review of The Pope’s Battalions eth century, especially in Australia. (ABR, August 2003). But there are serious omissions. It may be conventional to make near-saints of the The most important one is the reviewer’s neglect of a deceased, but the book provides evidence that planned, matter of history that is evident early in the book and that deliberate deception was part of Santamaria’s stock-in-trade. goes to the heart of the cause of The Split. This is the now A major example was his premeditated assertions, repeated proven fact that B.A. Santamaria aimed to control the ALP, over several years, that he had no serious interest in politics secretly and from the outside, and to promote legislation other than opposing communism. And there are countless through a Labor government in keeping with his own individual instances of deliberate deceptions. religious/political fantasies. Bemused, if not blinded, by his These two matters of substance — namely, Santamaria’s own enthusiasm and self-righteousness, Santamaria was con- far-reaching political ambitions, and his deliberate falsifications fident that he would be able to do so. The Pope’s Battalions — should be prominent in any review of Fitzgerald’s makes this clear, and provides firm evidence. This is not the well-researched and valuable book. first book to do so, but its early chapters also show how these Robert Corcoran, Edithvale,

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Australian Book Review The subject of this month’s cover is the September 2003, No. 254 highly accomplished poet Philip Hodgins, ISSN 01 55-2864 who was born at Katandra West near Registered by Australia Post , Victoria, in 1959. He was an Published by Australian Book Review Inc. observant and prolific writer, interested both PO Box 2320, Richmond South, Victoria 3121 in quotidian reality (his descriptions of farming life have a Editor Peter Rose telling and visceral accuracy) and in larger metaphysical is- Assistant Editor Anne-Marie Thomas sues. His work explores many of the formal resources of Office Manager Dianne Schallmeiner poetry, including metre and rhyme. Cover Designer Chong Printer Doran Printing In 1983 Hodgins learned that he was suffering from chronic myeloid leukaemia, and this illness, along with his experience Chair Robert Manne of being treated for it, became one of the important subjects of Treasurer Matt Kumar his poetry. His work won numerous awards, Board Members Peter Craven, Michael Crennan, Morag Fraser, Ramona Koval,Vicki Nicholson, Russ Radcliffe, Peter Steele including the Wesley Michel Wright Prize, the NSW Editorial Advisers Don Anderson, Peter Bishop, Isobel Crombie, Premier’s Award for Poetry, the Grace Perry Prize, the Prairie Kerryn Goldsworthy, Paul Hetherington, John Hirst, Paul Kane, Schooner Readers Choice USA Award and the NBC Turnbull Patrick McCaughey, Pam Macintyre, Bruce Moore, Allan Patience, Craig Sherborne, Ilana Snyder Fox Phillips Poetry Prize. He died in Maryborough, Victoria, Volunteers Christy Dena, Eamon Evans, Emily Fraser, on 18 August 1995. Lolla Stewart, Robyn Tucker Alec Bolton’s 1993 photographic portrait of Philip Hodgins is one of a collection of portraits of Australian authors, Telephone: (03) 9429 6700 Fax: (03) 9429 2288 including many novelist and poets, taken by Bolton, mostly E-mail: [email protected] in the 1980s and early 1990s. The collection comprises http://www.vicnet.net.au/~abr/ approximately 1500 negatives, the majority of which are reproduced on contact sheets. Approximately 275 images have been printed separately.

ABR is most grateful for the generous support of our chief sponsor, La Trobe University.

ABR has been assisted by the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; Holding Redlich; and Arts Victoria. We also acknowledge the generous support of our national sponsor, the National Library of Australia.

Unsolicited manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by stamped, self-addressed envelopes. Editorial matters should be directed to the editor; advertising/marketing ones to the assistant editor; and subscription queries to the office manager. Letters to the editor will only be considered for publication if accompanied by a telephone number, for verification.

Subscription rates (all prices include GST) One year (ten issues) Individuals: $67.00 Institutions: $76.00 Students/pensioners: $55.00 Overseas (airmail) Asia/NZ: Individuals: $87.00 Institutions: $95.00 Overseas (airmail) Rest of World: Individuals: $115.00 Institutions: $125.00 Two years (twenty issues, Australia only) Individuals: $124.00 Institutions: $142.00 Bolton, Alec T. (1926–96) Students/pensioners: $99.00 Portrait of Philip Hodgins, 1993 Additional copy to the same address (Australia only) gelatin silver photograph; 17.7 x 12.7 cm One year: $40.00 Two years: $80.00 Pictures Collection, nla.pic-an14466001-1 National Library of Australia

Archived at Flinders University: dspace.flinders.edu.au AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW SEPTEMBER 2003 5 LETTERS

Contributors

Patricia Anderson is the Sydney art critic for The Australian. Brian Matthews is Chair of the International Institutes Her book, Art in Australia: Debates, Dollars and Delusions, at Victoria University. His books include A Fine and Private will be published later this year. Place. Karen Brooks is a fantasy author and a senior lecturer Justin Oakley is Director of the Centre in popular culture at the University of the Sunshine Coast. for Human Bioethics, and is the author of Morality and the Emotions and (with Dean Cocking) Virtue Ethics and Alisa Bunbury is Curator, Prints and Drawings, at the Professional Roles. National Gallery of Victoria. Mick O’Regan is presenter of ABC Radio National’s Madeleine Byrne is a journalist who writes regularly on Media Report programme. literature and politics. Mark Peel’s latest book, The Lowest Rung: Voices of Brent Crosswell played for three AFL clubs in the 1960s Australian Poverty, is reviewed in this issue. and 1970s and has written much journalism. He now lives in Hobart. D.T. Potts, born in New York, came to Australia in 1991 as the Edwin Cuthbert Hall Professor in Middle Eastern Arch- Dianne Dempsey is a Victorian reviewer. aeology at the University of Sydney, having previously Stephen Edgar’s poetry collections include Lost in the Fore- taught at the Free University of Berlin and the University ground. He lives in Hobart. of Copenhagen. David Gilbey is Senior Lecturer in English, Charles Sturt David Reeve has been visiting Indonesia since 1969 as University and President of Wagga Wagga Writers Writers. a diplomat, researcher, historian, language teacher and project manager. He coordinates Asian Studies and Indonesian Gideon Haigh is a Melbourne author and journalist. Studies at the University of New South Wales. Nathan Hollier is co-editor of Overland magazine. Owen Richardson is a Melbourne reviewer David Hutchison is a West Australian reviewer. John Rickard is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at Monash Mark Johnston is Head of History at Scotch College, University and the author of Australia: A Cultural History. Melbourne, and the author of four books. He is currently Judith Ridge is a Sydney writer and editor. writing a history of the 7th Australian Division. Guy Rundle is co-editor of Arena. Clive James’s many collections of essays include Reliable Essays: The Best of Clive James. In July 2003 he attended Peter Steele has a Personal Chair at the University of Mel- the Mildura Writers’ Festival, where he delivered the 2003 bourne. His most recent poetry collection is Invisible Riders. La Trobe University/Australian Book Review Annual Shirley Walker is the author of Roundabout at Bangalow. Lecture (published in this issue) and received the Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal. Rob Watts is Professor of Social Policy at RMIT University and the author or co-author of a dozen books including Stella Lees is co-author of The Oxford Companion to Foundations of the National Welfare State, Sociology Aus- Children’s Literature. tralia and Discovering Risk. He is currently finishing a study David McCooey lectures at Deakin University () of state crime in the twentieth century. and has written extensively on Australian autobiography. Wendy Were has taught in the areas of contemporary narra- Brian McFarlane’s Encyclopedia of British Film (Methuen/ tive and theory, women’s studies, cultural studies and prof- British Film Institute) will be published in Australia in essional writing. Since 2002 she has held the position of October. literature programmer of the Perth International Arts Festival. Michael McGirr is the author of Things You Get for Free and Robyn Williams has presented The Science Show on the fiction editor of Meanjin. ABC Radio National for nearly thirty years. He is a visiting professor at the University of New South Wales and a Pam Macintyre is the editor of Viewpoint: on books fellow of Balliol College, Oxford, as well as of the Australian for young adults. Academy of Science. His latest book is the novel 2007: John Martinkus is writing a book on Aceh. A True Story About To Happen.

Archived at Flinders University: dspace.flinders.edu.au 6 AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW SEPTEMBER 2003