Carolyn Holbrook - Lessons from History: Leading Historians Tackle Australias Greatest Challenges

CAROLYN HOLBROOK is a historian in the Contemporary Histories Research Group at Deakin University and the Director of Australian Policy and History. This is her third book with NewSouth, having published Anzac: The unauthorised biography in 2014 and The Great War: Aftermath and commemoration, edited with Keir Reeves, in 2019. Her current research is on the history of Australian federalism, public health care and national security. She has previously worked as a policy adviser in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and as a freelance journalist.

LYNDON MEGARRITY has enjoyed a varied career as a researcher, author and tertiary educator. He was the inaugural history lecturer at the Springfield Campus at the University of Southern Queensland (2012 13) and has since taught at James Cook University in Townsville, where he is currently an adjunct lecturer at the College of Arts, Society and Education. He is the author of Northern Dreams: The politics of northern development in Australia, 2018.

DAVID LOWE is Chair of Contemporary History at Deakin University and co-founder of the Australian Policy and History Network. His research focuses on modern international history, including Australias role in the world, and the remembering of prominent events. Recent books include (with Carola Lentz) Remembering Independence, 2018 and (edited, with Cassandra Atherton and Alyson Miller) The Unfinished Atomic Bomb, 2017.

In memory of Stuart Macintyre
(19472021)

Know the past to change the future. Insightful essays by leading historians on the complex back stories of some of our most vexed policy challenges. JUDITH BRETT

Lessons from History makes a formidable case for the contemporary real-world relevance, in both national and international policymaking, of deep historical understanding. Hugh Whites account of the lessons of 1914 and 1939 for todays would-be warriors just one of twenty-four invariably thought- provoking essays is alone worth the purchase price. A rich and rewarding collection which should be read by anyone concerned for Australias future. GARETH EVANS

For several decades now our national mentality has been dominated by economists and culture warriors. Few dare stand up to them. In this book, our top historians begin the fightback. As the pandemics, recessions, extremism and wars of the twentieth century return, the history profession announces its intention to re-enter the public sphere to help create a better future and not a moment too soon. Lessons from History is the statement of intent all believers in the importance of this crucial discipline have been waiting for. DENNIS GLOVER

When devising policies to address everything from climate change to racial justice and gender equality, to war and conflict, history and historical thinking are not only relevant, this book shows they are essential. PHILLIPA McGUINNESS

A book for the times an astute contribution to public debate. In twenty-two lively and eminently readable essays leading historians present a compelling case for the importance of history to add span, depth, context and above all wisdom to our policy making repertoire. HENRY REYNOLDS

A NewSouth book

Published by

NewSouth Publishing

University of New South Wales Press Ltd

University of New South Wales

Sydney NSW 2052

AUSTRALIA

https://unsw.press/

Carolyn Holbrook, Lyndon Megarrity & David Lowe 2022

First published 2022

This book is copyright. While copyright of the work as a whole is vested in Carolyn Holbrook, Lyndon Megarrity and David Lowe, copyright of individual chapters is retained by the chapter authors. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part of this book may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Inquiries should be addressed to the publisher.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the National Library of Australia

Design Josephine Pajor-Markus

Cover design Peter Long

Cover image Tom Steventon / Alamy Stock Photo

All reasonable efforts were taken to obtain permission to use copyright material reproduced in this book, but in some cases copyright could not be traced. The editors welcome information in this regard.

Introduction: Seeing the world with the past.
A call to historians and policymakers

Carolyn Holbrook, Lyndon Megarrity and David Lowe

Graeme Davison

Frank Bongiorno

James Walter

Yves Rees

Andrea Gaynor, Margaret Cook, Lionel Frost, Jenny Gregory, Ruth Morgan, Martin Shanahan and Peter Spearritt

Hugh White

Philip Chang, Jeffrey Hole and Kieran Brockman

David Lowe

Simon Ville

Andrew Leigh

Electricity problems? Call a historian.
Learning from the history of electricity reform in Australia

Jeffrey Hole

Joan Beaumont

We need to hear the voices of refugees:
Citizen engagement for reforming refugee policy

Niro Kandasamy

The Muslim Problem in Australia:
The role of political leadership

Mahsheed Ansari

Mia Martin Hobbs

Evan Smith

Laura Rademaker and Ian Anderson

Claire E.F. Wright

Carla Pascoe Leahy

Too much talk, not enough action?
Federal government responses to domestic violence

Ann Curthoys, Catherine Kevin and Zora Simic

Lyndon Megarrity

Carolyn Holbrook

Carolyn Holbrook, Lyndon Megarrity and David Lowe

PROFESSOR IAN ANDERSON has been the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and University Experience) at the Australian National University since 2020. He was previously Deputy Secretary, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Deputy CEO, National Indigenous Australian Agency. Professor Andersons background is in medicine and social sciences and he worked in Aboriginal Health and education for more than 30 years as a health worker, educator, general practitioner, policymaker and academic. He has written widely on Indigenous health and development and maintains an active research portfolio. His family are Palawa Lutrawita with traditional ties to Tebrakunna on the north-east coast of Tasmanian which includes connections to Pairrebenne, Trawlwoolway and Plairmairrenner and related clans.

DR MAHSHEED ANSARI is a Senior Lecturer at the Centre for Islamic Studies & Civilisation, Charles Sturt University. She is a reader in Islamic thought and a community activist working in the areas of interfaith dialogue, social harmony and leadership- mentoring programs with Muslim youth and Muslim women. Her research interests include the history of Islamic thought, spirituality and culture. She is currently in the final stages of completing her book titled: