Michael Cooney Michael Cooney i(8478348 works by)
Gender: Male
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1 Red Plague : Reinventing Ireland from Afar Michael Cooney , 2020 single work autobiography
— Appears in: Griffith Review , no. 69 2020; (p. 176-184)
'Ireland is a bookshelf in my mother's (place) house. A book of Australian folk songs, from the eighteenth century to the First World War. Frank the Poet's 'Moreton Bay'. Ned Kelly knew this ballad and quotes, from it. consequently or otherwise, in the Jerilderie Letter: 'Port McQuarie, Toweringabbie and Norfolk Island and Emu Plain'.' A book of Australian folklore, of the same period. Convict Paddy tries to walk to China from old Sydney town; men win 'lazy contests' when they fail to see the point of taking part; Larry Foley makes his stand on George's River ground, the verse narrative written to scan to the tune of 'The Wearing of the Green. (Arthur Schlesinger assured  us President Kennedy could roar this song.). 
 
1 Laughing with Julia : A Sense of Humour and Complete Control Julia Gillard: A Sense of Humour and Full Control Michael Cooney , 2015 extract autobiography (The Gillard Project)
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 18 April 2015; (p. 26-27) The Canberra Times , 18 April 2015; (p. 4)
1 2 y separately published work icon The Gillard Project Michael Cooney , Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2014 8478364 2014 single work autobiography

'It was a comedy of manners, it was a comedy of errors, it was a tragedy, it was a bunch of stuff that happened; it was a calvary and a triumph. This is what I most want to tell you: it was worth it.

'Michael Cooney was Julia Gillard's speechwriter for most of her time in office. He came to the job a true believer in every sense, with years of Labor experience behind him. But this was the prime minister's office. The stakes were high and the game had changed.

'From mining to the economy to Afghanistan, Cooney wrote the speeches that helped to define the Gillard project: the prime minister's program and vision for the country. He was there at the coalface of decisions on the carbon 'tax' and the budget surplus; in the lead-up to the 'misogyny' speech and the 'we are us' Labor conference speech. He worked to crazy deadlines with perpetually conflicting advice, watching from behind the scenes while the government stumbled and the polls began to tell a grim tale. He cried and laughed and swore as Australia's first female prime minister got through a record number of pieces of legislation in the time she had. This is his story, and hers.

'Passionate. Argumentative. Funny and honest. The Gillard Project is a fascinating and unique perspective on Australian political culture and its ramifications for us all.' (Publication summary)

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