Political Upheaval: Why Nothing is Permanent

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Join us in Sydney on Wednesday, 13 August for an exclusive opportunity to meet and engage with our new Executive Director Michael Stutchbury alongside Tom Switzer as they explore how unforeseeable triumphs and disasters alter political party fortunes. Book now!

The Liberals are in the deepest political valley and the conventional wisdom has written off the party of Menzies and Howard. Meanwhile, Labor and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are on the highest political mountain after their emphatic May federal election victory.

But history shows that in western politics, what’s down can only go up, and what’s certain can only come unstuck. No downfall is permanent. Ideas matter. Decisions have consequences. The apparent hegemony of any political party is always largely illusory. Governments stuff up; and when they do, a capable opposition with a sound public-policy agenda can take advantage.

We can also announce that we’ll have a special guest, John Howard, present on the night to deliver a special vote of thanks.

Tom Switzer is a senior fellow and former Executive Director of CIS (2017-25). He is author of a forthcoming CIS Occasional Paper “Events, dear boy, events: why nothing is certain in politics.”

Michael Stutchbury is the incoming executive director of CIS and former editor-in-chief of the Australian Financial Review (2011-24) and editor of The Australian (2001-06).