Book review - "Joseph Lyons" by Kate White

Not much is remembered about Joe Lyons today, even though he won three elections. If he is remembered at all it is for leaving the Labor Party to become PM, leading Australia out of the depression with policies that arguably (really we'll never know) cause the effects to linger longer than they should have, and for inadequately preparing Australia for WW2. He was an interesting guy, a genuine Tasmanian who was sent to work at the age of 9 but got enough schooling to become a school teacher. Put in hard yards in some really rustic settlements, gradually became involved in politics, joined the Labor Party and eventually became Premier of the state in the 1920s. He then got a Federal seat just in time to join Scullin's government, but clashed with Scullin and Red Ted Theodore over how to combat the Depression and ended up crossing the floor and forming the United Australia Party.

Lyons was enormously popular - a folksy looking thing from the wilds of Tassie, he resembled a koala, and had a giant asset in his wife Enid, who became a politician herself. He knew how to use the media and was an effective speaker. The public obviously felt as though they knew him - a simple guy with a wife and an enormous family. The United Australia Party wanted to keep him on even as he lost his grip because he was so effective at winning elections. How much of Lyons' act was an act how much was genuine? His actions around 1931-32 certainly indicate a person who had an eye for the main chance.

Lyons economic policies have been largely discredited (basically cutting spending and increasing saving) but it was what the people wanted. Lyons was a pacifist and anti-conscriptionist, which partly explains why Australia's defence preparations were so slack in the late 1930s. Lyons' big dream, which may have meant his government was more fondly remembered, was to introduce a national health and insurance scheme - but this was defeated. (Worth remembering that at this stage conservative parties had socialist ideas, too but lacked the muscle to push it through). Like a lot of leaders who are popular during their reign, though, didn't leave a lot behind - and the fact Australia was almost invaded a few years after doesn't really speak well of him. (At the end of the day, it are the big things that count)

He was an interesting chap and Kate White's bio does him justice. It has some flaws - no pictures or bibliography - but is eminently readable. (It is clear, though, she finds Enid a more engaging person than Joe).