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Warren Mundine in Black and White
The highly anticipated and revealing memoir from one of Australia's most significant indigenous leaders.
Overcoming segregation, discrimination, personal hardship and political betrayal...Nyunggai Warren Mundine tells it all in black and white.
Warren's raw, intimate success story shines a bright and inspiring light, showing there is no limit to what you can achieve. His curriculum vitae runs into pages of honours, appointments and awards. So it's extraordinary to consider that, as an Aboriginal boy in the 1950s, he was a second-class citizen, born into a world of segregation and discrimination that few Australians today are truly aware of.
From the poverty of a family living in a tent beside a river, to the depths of depression and an attempted suicide, to the heights of political power as National President of the Australian Labor Party and advisor to five prime ministers, both Labor and Liberal, this is a stirring story of an indigenous family woven into the very fabric of Australia and its politics.
Arguably the most controversial and influential of all Aboriginal leaders, Warren challenges conventional wisdom. One of 11 children in a poor Catholic family, Warren has been on a remarkable journey, from his early life in country NSW, with only one pair of shoes and a single bed shared with three of his brothers, to today, where he frequents the highest echelons of power and business. Once an outsider, now an insider, Warren is regarded by many as one of Australia's national treasures.
Warren is one of the most significant and engaging personalities in today's political spectrum. He offers an insider's perspective on behind-the-scenes betrayals during his time as advisor to five prime ministers, with startling reveals, exclusive insights and a controversial take on the differences between Liberal and Labor.
His memoir, an optimistic and inspirational tale, speaks to a changing Australia, answering a big question on everyone's minds: what's next? Warren Mundine in Black and White is the book that makes you proud to be Australian.
Overcoming segregation, discrimination, personal hardship and political betrayal...Nyunggai Warren Mundine tells it all in black and white.
Warren's raw, intimate success story shines a bright and inspiring light, showing there is no limit to what you can achieve. His curriculum vitae runs into pages of honours, appointments and awards. So it's extraordinary to consider that, as an Aboriginal boy in the 1950s, he was a second-class citizen, born into a world of segregation and discrimination that few Australians today are truly aware of.
From the poverty of a family living in a tent beside a river, to the depths of depression and an attempted suicide, to the heights of political power as National President of the Australian Labor Party and advisor to five prime ministers, both Labor and Liberal, this is a stirring story of an indigenous family woven into the very fabric of Australia and its politics.
Arguably the most controversial and influential of all Aboriginal leaders, Warren challenges conventional wisdom. One of 11 children in a poor Catholic family, Warren has been on a remarkable journey, from his early life in country NSW, with only one pair of shoes and a single bed shared with three of his brothers, to today, where he frequents the highest echelons of power and business. Once an outsider, now an insider, Warren is regarded by many as one of Australia's national treasures.
Warren is one of the most significant and engaging personalities in today's political spectrum. He offers an insider's perspective on behind-the-scenes betrayals during his time as advisor to five prime ministers, with startling reveals, exclusive insights and a controversial take on the differences between Liberal and Labor.
His memoir, an optimistic and inspirational tale, speaks to a changing Australia, answering a big question on everyone's minds: what's next? Warren Mundine in Black and White is the book that makes you proud to be Australian.
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Published February 13, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 8, 2017
This book caught me by surprise. The stories Warren Mundine tells of his parents and grandparents, of his own childhood and his brothers and sisters are very interesting. It is very clear that Mundine's life itself informs his ideas - whether they be moral, intellectual or political. He is not an academic, but someone who must experience the world for himself first hand. This book is well worth your time. A very well written and thought provoking read.
January 14, 2018
‘Race Politics and Changing Australia.’
In this book, Nyunggai Warren Mundine sets out to tell a story. It’s a story about his own life, about his family and about Australian politics. It’s also about the process and progress of change, about history, and some of the barriers to success.
As I read the book, I was reminded that until 1967 that aspects of life for many Aboriginal people were controlled by the state or territory in which they lived. I was reminded (again) of the harm such control can do. How do people learn to take responsibility, to manage their affairs when they have no autonomy?
Mr Mundine writes:
‘After the 1967 referendum, Aboriginal people started to receive equal pay across the board through a combination of changes to laws and industrial decisions over about a decade. For some regional industries, like the pastoral industry, this meant a huge jump in expenses. Most Aboriginal people in those industries had never actually received equal wages. Instead of getting a pay increase, they lost their jobs and were kicked off their lands. The pastoralists lost a cheap source of labour and weren’t willing or able to pay them full wages.
At the same time, Aboriginal people gained rights to government benefits, which previously they weren’t entitled to. So those who lost their jobs became full-time welfare recipients .’
I wasn’t aware of this. In 1967, I was a school child living in regional Tasmania. I’d been taught that we no longer had any Tasmanian Aborigines. But in the early 1970s I saw a massive growth in unemployment in Tasmania. Consequently, some of those who became welfare recipients have never been employed since, and this unemployment is now in the third generation for some. Yes, I can see the issue. The longer people are unemployed, the harder it becomes to get employment.
‘Ultimately, the key to tackling long-term unemployment among Aboriginal people is the same as for anyone else. You have to address long-term welfare dependency .’
Some people lose motivation, others try harder. Mr Mundine draws on his own experience of recovering from injury to demonstrate this.
I was particularly interested in what Mr Mundine had to say about Aboriginal incarceration rates. If what he says is true, then surely, we need to focus more on addressing the causes (violence) rather than the consequences (incarceration).
‘High incarceration rates and the epidemic of violence and abuse are two sides of the same coin.
The disparity in Aboriginal incarceration rates overwhelmingly comes down to two things – violence and reoffending. Most Aboriginal prisoners are incarcerated for violent offences and, contrary to myth, only a tiny proportion for traffic and public order offences. Aboriginal people are grossly overrepresented among those incarcerated for violent offences. They are also disproportionately victims of those offences .’
Other issues Mr Mundine raises includes the influence of Green groups in preventing the traditional owners on Cape York from building a real economy . I’m not across the details, but it strikes me as ironic that Green groups would think that traditional owners couldn’t be trusted to manage the land they were custodians of for thousands of years.
There’s much more to Nyunggai Warren Mundine’s story than I can touch on here. It’s a personal story by a great Australian, it’s inspiring and thoughtful. His story touches on successes and failures, and challenges some of what I thought I knew to be fact. Finally, and importantly, it’s a tribute to his parents and their lives.
As Mr Mundine writes:
‘We must not tolerate a narrative that says failure is “cultural” and achievement is “white”.’
I recommend this book to every Australian.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
In this book, Nyunggai Warren Mundine sets out to tell a story. It’s a story about his own life, about his family and about Australian politics. It’s also about the process and progress of change, about history, and some of the barriers to success.
As I read the book, I was reminded that until 1967 that aspects of life for many Aboriginal people were controlled by the state or territory in which they lived. I was reminded (again) of the harm such control can do. How do people learn to take responsibility, to manage their affairs when they have no autonomy?
Mr Mundine writes:
‘After the 1967 referendum, Aboriginal people started to receive equal pay across the board through a combination of changes to laws and industrial decisions over about a decade. For some regional industries, like the pastoral industry, this meant a huge jump in expenses. Most Aboriginal people in those industries had never actually received equal wages. Instead of getting a pay increase, they lost their jobs and were kicked off their lands. The pastoralists lost a cheap source of labour and weren’t willing or able to pay them full wages.
At the same time, Aboriginal people gained rights to government benefits, which previously they weren’t entitled to. So those who lost their jobs became full-time welfare recipients .’
I wasn’t aware of this. In 1967, I was a school child living in regional Tasmania. I’d been taught that we no longer had any Tasmanian Aborigines. But in the early 1970s I saw a massive growth in unemployment in Tasmania. Consequently, some of those who became welfare recipients have never been employed since, and this unemployment is now in the third generation for some. Yes, I can see the issue. The longer people are unemployed, the harder it becomes to get employment.
‘Ultimately, the key to tackling long-term unemployment among Aboriginal people is the same as for anyone else. You have to address long-term welfare dependency .’
Some people lose motivation, others try harder. Mr Mundine draws on his own experience of recovering from injury to demonstrate this.
I was particularly interested in what Mr Mundine had to say about Aboriginal incarceration rates. If what he says is true, then surely, we need to focus more on addressing the causes (violence) rather than the consequences (incarceration).
‘High incarceration rates and the epidemic of violence and abuse are two sides of the same coin.
The disparity in Aboriginal incarceration rates overwhelmingly comes down to two things – violence and reoffending. Most Aboriginal prisoners are incarcerated for violent offences and, contrary to myth, only a tiny proportion for traffic and public order offences. Aboriginal people are grossly overrepresented among those incarcerated for violent offences. They are also disproportionately victims of those offences .’
Other issues Mr Mundine raises includes the influence of Green groups in preventing the traditional owners on Cape York from building a real economy . I’m not across the details, but it strikes me as ironic that Green groups would think that traditional owners couldn’t be trusted to manage the land they were custodians of for thousands of years.
There’s much more to Nyunggai Warren Mundine’s story than I can touch on here. It’s a personal story by a great Australian, it’s inspiring and thoughtful. His story touches on successes and failures, and challenges some of what I thought I knew to be fact. Finally, and importantly, it’s a tribute to his parents and their lives.
As Mr Mundine writes:
‘We must not tolerate a narrative that says failure is “cultural” and achievement is “white”.’
I recommend this book to every Australian.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
January 10, 2020
Mundine is a household name in Australia, but not necessarily Warren Mundine. Which is a shame because he has had a fascinating life and has great insights, ideas and opinions on how to improve Australia.
I was surprised with how engaging I found the book as sometimes these non-fictions can be a bit dry. But he gives a peek behind the curtain of politics over some very interesting times over the last 20 years, and is well researched and passionate about indigenous affairs. I have found myself quoting many parts of the book to people over the last few weeks which is probably praise in itself!
Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in politics and indigenous affairs in Australia.
I was surprised with how engaging I found the book as sometimes these non-fictions can be a bit dry. But he gives a peek behind the curtain of politics over some very interesting times over the last 20 years, and is well researched and passionate about indigenous affairs. I have found myself quoting many parts of the book to people over the last few weeks which is probably praise in itself!
Highly recommended to anyone with an interest in politics and indigenous affairs in Australia.
December 16, 2017
Great insights
Warren Mundine’s book is an exploration both of his own life and that of his family, but of contemporary Australian politics and our failures in supporting our First Nations to achieve social and economic independence. I particularly enjoyed his personal story- dealing with challenge and showing great drive and resilience.
Warren Mundine’s book is an exploration both of his own life and that of his family, but of contemporary Australian politics and our failures in supporting our First Nations to achieve social and economic independence. I particularly enjoyed his personal story- dealing with challenge and showing great drive and resilience.
October 25, 2018
I have started this review a number of times because I know whatever I say on the content of this book will not do it justice. Mundine completely blew me away. The story is one that has essentially three parts: personal journey through life, race and politics. It is told with such candour that if you pick this book up and walk away unmoved I seriously doubt you have the requisite comprehension.
The funny thing for me is that the revelation I had was that I completely agree with the concept of economic empowerment through participation and know it works and will work if Australia can stay the course and undertake systemic change in indigenous issues. Read this book if you care about indigenous people and aren’t afraid of the truth - the whole nasty truth of what we’ve done wrong. Luckily the author is a man with plausible solutions and should bloody well be Prime Minister already.
The funny thing for me is that the revelation I had was that I completely agree with the concept of economic empowerment through participation and know it works and will work if Australia can stay the course and undertake systemic change in indigenous issues. Read this book if you care about indigenous people and aren’t afraid of the truth - the whole nasty truth of what we’ve done wrong. Luckily the author is a man with plausible solutions and should bloody well be Prime Minister already.
January 25, 2022
I asked for this book as a present because I've seen Warren on TV and I admired what he had to say. I immigrated to Australia in the very late 1990s, so I was really quite shocked about his tales of his early life.
I think he would make a great Senator rather than MP, so I hope he gets there in the end.
It's a very readable book. A little repetitive towards the end, perhaps, but he's making his point. It's a good point.
I think he would make a great Senator rather than MP, so I hope he gets there in the end.
It's a very readable book. A little repetitive towards the end, perhaps, but he's making his point. It's a good point.
February 22, 2022
I'm not sure why I purchased this or why it was one of the books recommended by Amazon. Usually, I pay little attention to Amazon's recommendations since I already have so many books, both physical and Kindle, to read. I found it a fascinating and enlightening read with a bonus of being a great catch-up on Australia's political history since I left the country. It was incredibly well-written being a superb blend of personal and political history. I came away with a much greater appreciation of what the Australian Aboriginals had to endure both from government and society before I was born.
January 11, 2018
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!
November 24, 2021
A pretty engaging book, though not being Australian and knowing little about their political system felt like a disadvantage.
August 21, 2020
Thought provoking, practical and honest
I recently heard Warren Mundine speaking in a radio interview on Black Lives Matter. This was the first time I'd ever noticed and heard him, and I was so taken with the way he spoke, his considered answers that were thoughtful and meaningful. I wanted to hear more about his views and how he got them. This book was insightful, honest, and positive, and I finished it feeling hopeful for all Australians. I know he didn't mean it to be a political history, but he has explained the chronological history of Indigenous politics and advancement with clarity and thought provoking views. A must read to understand how a country can grow towards a better place.
I recently heard Warren Mundine speaking in a radio interview on Black Lives Matter. This was the first time I'd ever noticed and heard him, and I was so taken with the way he spoke, his considered answers that were thoughtful and meaningful. I wanted to hear more about his views and how he got them. This book was insightful, honest, and positive, and I finished it feeling hopeful for all Australians. I know he didn't mean it to be a political history, but he has explained the chronological history of Indigenous politics and advancement with clarity and thought provoking views. A must read to understand how a country can grow towards a better place.
March 6, 2018
Part biography, part memoir and part essay. He works these three genres quite well together. It’s a shame Warren wasn’t selected by Labor. He could have been a great leader. I particularly appreciated his position on economic development and how left wing green policies can be seen as ‘racist for trying to wrap culture in bubble wrap in an inner city way of trying to fix something that just seems so far out of anyone’s reach.
July 7, 2018
Mundine did a fantastic job of mixing history lessons and policy arguments in with his life story. Although I don't agree with some of his views, a lot of what he has written about closing the gap and solutions to the problems facing Aboriginal Australians makes a lot of sense.
July 9, 2022
In some ways a standard "minority" success story--hard times, smart commentary on the social conditions he was raised in, leading to mainstream success. Good place to get a clear sense of the stakes in the Aborigine movement over the last few decades. Love the boxing thread running throughout.
January 27, 2018
JayReview..
Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO
In Black and white.
Upon finishing this work which I have been reading in spare moments as a passenger on long car trips or waiting in doctors offices over the month Of January, and culminating in my finishing the last 220 pages on Australia day, In attempts to avoid "the big debate" about the date of the 26th, I have found my head swimming with words in a pleasant kind of vague attempt to pen a review.
I had to put it down after the culmination of 504 pages of astonishing insight, and walk away for a few hours to let the swirling thoughts settle.
Firstly let me say every word written about it on the back by some prominent Australians is true and falls way short of accurately describing it because there is so much more to it than can be fit on the back cover.
Ok, So first of all I grappled with the fact that this was clearly an intellectual author the likes of which is seldom seen anywhere, However they way in which it is written is as if a translation from the language of the intellectual to something amazingly easy to understand for the layman reader like myself. I am not sure I could have absorbed it all so well if he did not display this very unique ability as a writer.
I was hooked by the end of page 29, Without spoilers Part 1 chapter 3 Titled, How do you eat Echidna ? I actually was riveted by then but being as it was a gift from family and Christmas day i had to put it down there knowing I was really going to love this book, and from then on it called to me, start again from the beginning and read me with a clear mind.
I did just that on the 29th Dec on a long drive to the doctors for an MRI and while waiting and again on the way home, this is my kind of bloke, so without going to much into it there is a line on page 453 "Treaties are the great unfinished business of Australian history", And it is true, A reader needs full context in the following lines but Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO paints it as clearly as Namatjira painted a landscape, or Michaelangelo sculpted, he really does paint the average Aussie into his perspective while explaining political perspectives in a way we can all agree on. He is not the kind of writer who separates or divides, but he does have a way of transitioning his own perspective to the real worldview of the political landscape he has been such an integral part of.
You can feel his joys, and frustrations as you read, and for me at least it left me feeling less alone in our political and social wilderness.
The book, in black and white, should be required high school reading in Australia for all grade 10 students, there is much to be learned from such a broad perspective.
Finally Thank you Elizabeth Henderson and Nyunggai Warren Mundine, I feel my own life is richer for what you have shared, With kind regards..
J. W. Newell.
Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO
In Black and white.
Upon finishing this work which I have been reading in spare moments as a passenger on long car trips or waiting in doctors offices over the month Of January, and culminating in my finishing the last 220 pages on Australia day, In attempts to avoid "the big debate" about the date of the 26th, I have found my head swimming with words in a pleasant kind of vague attempt to pen a review.
I had to put it down after the culmination of 504 pages of astonishing insight, and walk away for a few hours to let the swirling thoughts settle.
Firstly let me say every word written about it on the back by some prominent Australians is true and falls way short of accurately describing it because there is so much more to it than can be fit on the back cover.
Ok, So first of all I grappled with the fact that this was clearly an intellectual author the likes of which is seldom seen anywhere, However they way in which it is written is as if a translation from the language of the intellectual to something amazingly easy to understand for the layman reader like myself. I am not sure I could have absorbed it all so well if he did not display this very unique ability as a writer.
I was hooked by the end of page 29, Without spoilers Part 1 chapter 3 Titled, How do you eat Echidna ? I actually was riveted by then but being as it was a gift from family and Christmas day i had to put it down there knowing I was really going to love this book, and from then on it called to me, start again from the beginning and read me with a clear mind.
I did just that on the 29th Dec on a long drive to the doctors for an MRI and while waiting and again on the way home, this is my kind of bloke, so without going to much into it there is a line on page 453 "Treaties are the great unfinished business of Australian history", And it is true, A reader needs full context in the following lines but Nyunggai Warren Mundine AO paints it as clearly as Namatjira painted a landscape, or Michaelangelo sculpted, he really does paint the average Aussie into his perspective while explaining political perspectives in a way we can all agree on. He is not the kind of writer who separates or divides, but he does have a way of transitioning his own perspective to the real worldview of the political landscape he has been such an integral part of.
You can feel his joys, and frustrations as you read, and for me at least it left me feeling less alone in our political and social wilderness.
The book, in black and white, should be required high school reading in Australia for all grade 10 students, there is much to be learned from such a broad perspective.
Finally Thank you Elizabeth Henderson and Nyunggai Warren Mundine, I feel my own life is richer for what you have shared, With kind regards..
J. W. Newell.
March 11, 2018
Great read. Agreed with most of his ideals.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews