A Chronicle of Political Decline
Veteran political journalist Paul Kelly has released his 13th book, The Twilight of Exceptionalism: The Liberal and Conservative Era, a 700-page examination of the Australian Coalition government’s tumultuous decade in power from 2013 to 2022. Departing from traditional narratives of rise and fall, Kelly frames the era as a story of “decline and fall,” characterized by persistent policy dilemmas and internal dysfunction.
The work focuses on the distinct tenures of three prime ministers: Tony Abbott, described as a “warrior”; Malcolm Turnbull, characterized as “technocratic”; and Scott Morrison, labeled as “pragmatic.” Kelly argues that despite some policy achievements, the period was defined by unsolved problems and unfulfilled potential, ultimately leading to a loss of political capital and institutional stability.
Protagonists and Policy Failures
Kelly’s maximalist approach allows him to delve into major milestones of the decade, including the 2014 budget, the leadership spill of 2018, the 2017 same-sex marriage postal survey, and the strategic shift prompted by the 2021 AUKUS agreement. The book provides detailed accounts of leadership failings, such as Morrison’s controversial Hawaii holiday during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires and his secret assumption of five ministerial portfolios.
Perhaps the most striking revelation in the text is Kelly’s report that Tony Abbott once inquired into the Australian Secret Intelligence Service’s (ASIS) capacity to conduct assassinations abroad as a potential solution to international crises. This detail highlights the ideological intensity that Kelly identifies as a hallmark of Abbott’s leadership.
The Legacy of the ‘Howard Era’
A central theme of the book is the lingering influence of former Prime Minister John Howard. Kelly presents Howard as a “meddlesome forefather” whose interventions—ranging from advice on cabinet reshuffles to intellectual guidance on the JobKeeper wage subsidy scheme—often shaped the decision-making of his successors. Kelly suggests that the political elites of the 2010s remained trapped in the shadow of the economic reforms of the 1980s and 90s, struggling to adapt to a 21st-century landscape defined by social fragmentation and global volatility.
Critique of the ‘Exceptionalist’ Model
While Kelly’s account of the political shifts is comprehensive, critics argue that he assesses a changed world using outdated economic models. By maintaining that the pro-market, deregulatory agenda of the late 20th century remains the gold standard, Kelly may overlook the modern necessity for economic resilience and equity. Furthermore, the book has faced scrutiny for its perceived minimization of the role played by traditional media, specifically News Corporation, in shaping the partisan nature of the era’s policy debates.