Boffins Books and Perth USAsia presents a special breakfast event where you can meet Labor MP Anthony Albanese as he speaks about his new biography, Albanese: Telling it Straight.
"Albo", as he is affectionately known, is an iconic figure in the Australian political landscape. With his insider's view of Capital Hill and his incredible personal story, this event is not to be missed.
Joining him in conversation will be Kim Beazley AC, an Australian statesman and one of Australia's pre-eminent international policy thought leaders. Kim Beazley was leader of the Australian Labor Party from 1996-2001 and again during 2005-2006.
At this event you will get a window on the recent turbulent years of federal politics. But there’s a deeply personal dimension, as this is the whole story of Anthony Albanese and the remarkable mother, Maryanne, who raised him. Anthony inherited his mother's devotion to social justice, the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the party his family had served for three generations. He learned his political craft among the tough men and women of NSW Labor. Maryanne adored her only child and Anthony his only parent. Until his teens, he believed she had been widowed before his birth. Then one evening, she sat him down and told him the truth. This story reveals what shaped the bloke they call 'Albo', his climb through politics by playing hard, fast and sometimes loose and how as he and his colleagues wrestled with Labor's future, he discovered his own past.
Can't make it? We'll happily have a copy of Anthony Albanese's Albanese: Telling it Straight signed for you. Simply contact us via phone, email, online or visit us in-store, and we'll take care of the rest.
MHR for Grayndler
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development
Shadow Minister for Tourism
Anthony grew up in a public housing community in Camperdown in Sydney and attended St Joseph's Camperdown and St Mary's Cathedral College. He worked for the Commonwealth Bank and then studied economics at the University of Sydney. He recognised early in life that there was a need to fight for social justice to provide equal opportunity in Australian society. This inspired him to join the Labor Party in 1979 while still at school.
"I will be satisfied if I can be remembered as someone who stood up for the interests of my electorate, for working people, for the labour movement, and for our progressive advancement as a nation."
Anthony is a passionate advocate for the environment, fair working conditions, multiculturalism and equality for all members of the community regardless of gender, race, age, sexuality or religion.
He believes in opportunities for all through education, universal health care and the need for government to invest in local communities.
Anthony served as Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and Leader of the House, from 3 December 2013 to 18 September 2013.
Anthony was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister on 27 June 2013.
Following the defeat of the second Rudd government at the 2013 election, Albanese announced his candidacy as the Leader of the Labor Party in a contest with Bill Shorten. Shorten was announced as the winner in a contest that involved a combined vote of caucus and rank-and-file members.
In October 2013, he became the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and the Shadow Minister for Tourism in Shorten's Shadow Cabinet. In September 2014, Albanese was given the additional responsibility as the Shadow Minister for Cities.
Anthony and his family live in Marrickville. He has played tennis at Henson Park for 30 years and is a Life Member of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Journalist Karen Middleton is Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper. Her first book, An Unwinnable War - Australia in Afghanistan was published in 2011. Previously Chief Political Correspondent for SBS Television, Karen has worked in the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery since 1989 and served as its president for four years. Karen is an experienced television, radio and newspaper commentator, appearing regularly on ABC TV's political talk show Insiders. She is a freelance contributor to ABC radio, Monocle24 Radio UK and Radio New Zealand and is based in Canberra.
