Book review - "Sir Joe: A Biography of Sir Joseph Cook" by John Murdoch

Few Australian Prime Ministers are more obscure than Joe Cook, despite the fact that he was Australia's PM when World War I broke out. (Andrew Fisher's famous promise of supporting England to the last man and last shilling was made during the 1914 election campaign, which happened soon after the war started). Why is this?

In many respects his was an amazing life - fatherless at an early age, into the English coal mines at nine, forbidden to be a preacher because his mum needed him to provide for the family, emigrates to Australia, enters the trade union movement, his capacity for hard work sees him rise, becomes a Labor MP prior to Federation - in effect the first Labor leader. He broke from the party in around 1895 when he was annoyed at the emergence of Caucus system who wanted to tell MPs what to do (as an elected MP this annoyed Cook). He aligned himself with George Reid's free traders, then was part of the Fusion (Free Traders and Protectionists - now THERE's a natural alliance), then the Liberals, became leader and PM (by a one seat election victory), then a National, then High Commissioner to London. He changed his opinion on every major issue, such as basic wages, Imperialism, and defence - basically becoming more right wing as he went older.

Why is Cook not better known? First of all Cook was a major mediocrity as a Prime Minister. A hard worker, good tactician, capable minister - as PM he pretty much did nothing, didn't seem to have any ideas, didn't pass any interesting legislation. A man unsuited to the job.

Secondly he was dull. The Labor Party is generally more interested in celebrating the past than convservative parties - one would think Cook might live on as a notorious traitor like Billy Hughes. But Hughes had personality and Cook was dull. He reads well, continually changing allegiances and selling out principles, working his way up from the coal mine - but he was a teetotalling non smoking methodist who seemed to lack a sense of humour. Just plodded along.

Personally I think all of the above make him really interesting and John Murdoch's biography does the subject credit. Was Cook Australia's most mediocre PM? A very strong candidate for it, I think.