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Political Animal - Tony Abbott - David Marr - Quarterly Essay
Political Animal - Tony Abbott - David Marr - Quarterly Essay
paperback: .2012 edition QE47 in good condition
Political Animal explores the life, character and political rise of Tony Abbott, then Leader of the Opposition in Australia, asking what kind of man he is and what kind of prime minister he might become.
Marr divides Abbott into two selves: “Values Abbott” (the deeply religious Catholic, the thinker about duty, family, monarchy) and “Political Abbott” (the ruthless, competitive operator seeking power). He argues that while Abbott claims the former dominates, the latter often drives his actions.
He traces Abbott’s early years at university รข as a vigorous campus debater, activist aligned with conservative Catholic organisations, prone to confrontation.
The essay shows how Abbott built a career within the Liberal Party, capitalising on key battles (such as the defeat of the republican referendum), positioning himself as heir to John Howard, then becoming Opposition Leader. Marr highlights how Abbott’s readiness for conflict, his willingness to define enemies and engage them, became central to his political identity.
A key theme is the tension between Abbott’s personal convictions and his political ambition: when his values get in the way of his electoral goals, what wins? Marr argues the political wins usually win out. He also explores how Abbott presents himself as straightforward and honest, while beneath the surface there is a calculating, cautious strategist.
The essay doesn’t conclude with full judgement on Abbott’s prime-ministership (since he had not yet become PM when it was written), but it raises questions about his capacity for leadership, the risks posed by his combative style, and how his governing style might reflect the same contradictions of values vs pragmatism that defined his rise..
About Tony Abbott
Anthony John "Tony" Abbott (born 4 November 1957) is the Leader of the Opposition in the Australian House of Representatives and federal leader of the centre-right Liberal Party of Australia. Abbott has represented the seat of Warringah since the 1994 by-election. He was Minister for Employment Services, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, and Minister for Health and Ageing in the Howard government at various times from 1998 to 2007 and Leader of the House from 2001 to 2007.
After the defeat of the Howard government at the 2007 federal election, he was Shadow Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs until he resigned from Malcolm Turnbull's shadow cabinet on 26 November 2009 in protest against Liberal Party support for an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Following a spill motion, Abbott defeated Turnbull 42 votes to 41 in a party leadership election.
The Abbott Coalition opposition was defeated at the 2010 federal election by the incumbent Labor government led by Julia Gillard, who formed a minority government after gaining support of an Australian Greens MP and three independent MPs. Abbott was re-elected unopposed to the party leadership following the election.
Abbott began public life as a journalist for The Bulletin, an influential news magazine, and The Australian Newspaper.He became well-known for his strongly worded criticism of trade unions and left-wing politics. For a time he was a plant manager for Pioneer Concrete before becoming press secretary to the Leader of the Opposition, Dr John Hewson from 1990 to 1993 and worked on the Fightback! policy. Between 1993 and 1994 he was the Executive Director of Australians for Constitutional Monarchy.
Political Animal - Tony Abbott - David Marr - Quarterly Essay
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