Why did a critic of the Boer War double down on Australia's commitment to its bloody successor?

On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with David Day to discuss one of our most important but forgotten nation builders, Andrew Fisher. Who rose from the coal mines of Scotland to become Australia's fifth prime minister. But whose legacy is inextricably linked to the Australian lives lost during World War I.

David Day is an Australian historian and author. Day has written widely on Australian history and the history of the Second World War. Among his many books are Menzies and Churchill at War and a two volume study of Anglo-Australian relations during the Second World War. His prize-winning history of Australia, Claiming a Continent, won the prestigious non-fiction prize in the 1998 South Australian Festival Awards for Literature. An earlier book, Smugglers and Sailors, was shortlisted by the Fellowship of Australian Writers for its Book of the Year Award. John Curtin: A Life was shortlisted for the 2000 NSW Premier's Literary Awards' Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction. He is the author of Andrew Fisher: Prime Minister of Australia.

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How did Menzies's Liberal Party end up with the lowest primary vote in its 80-year history?

On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with John Roskam and Zachary Gorman to dissect the recent election, apply some historical context to the results, and ask 'where to now?' for Australian liberalism.

John Roskam is a columnist for The Australian Financial Review and Senior Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs. Zachary Gorman is the Historian and Research Manager of the Robert Menzies Institute.

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How did Robert Menzies sell his message as Opposition Leader?

On this week's Afternoon Light Georgina Downer speaks with Bob Crawshaw about how Chifley and Menzies's epic clash over bank nationalisation reshaped Australia's political communications landscape. As innovative marketing techniques first defeated the policy then helped to sweep the Liberals into power in 1949.

Bob Crawshaw began his career during the Vietnam era, serving in the Australian Army for over 30 years as a commander, trainer, long-range planner and diplomat. As the first Director of Army Public Affairs, he gained unique insights into how governments try to shape public opinion and how communities push back to influence those in power. After leaving the Army, Bob established a public relations agency, using his experience to help governments and community organisations effectively promote their ideas. His work received Australian and international recognition. In recent times, Bob has focused on uncovering the stories behind the advertising and public relations campaigns that shaped Australia. Inspired by the passion and larger-than-life personalities involved in the bank nationalisation episode, he authored Battle of the Banks, a compelling exploration of how bold communications can either defeat big plans or make them a reality.

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