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On Politics and Stuff
This book is quite possibly the most comprehensive book on Australian politics ever written. That's right, it covers BOTH houses of parliament.
We'll take you inside the halls of power. And if we can't actually get inside because of security, we'll do some very fun speculating on what might be in there.
One thing we know for sure is that this book is unputdownable. Something went wrong with the printing and it's all sticky.
We'll take you inside the halls of power. And if we can't actually get inside because of security, we'll do some very fun speculating on what might be in there.
One thing we know for sure is that this book is unputdownable. Something went wrong with the printing and it's all sticky.
- GenresNonfiction
97 pages, Paperback
Published May 17, 2022
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39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 25, 2022
Those who have been observing Australian politics for the last 2-3 decades will find Mark Humphries & Evan Williams' On Politics and Stuff a short but amusing read.
While there's a backbone of genuine information about Australia's political system and political history, On Politics and Stuff is primarily a piss-take on the whole thing. A mock school report by an Australian Grade 3 student, on observing Parliamentary Question Time is particularly amusing.
Not particularly high-brow or insightful, but an appropriate read this week, following an Australian federal election, and not a bad way to spend an hour or so.
While there's a backbone of genuine information about Australia's political system and political history, On Politics and Stuff is primarily a piss-take on the whole thing. A mock school report by an Australian Grade 3 student, on observing Parliamentary Question Time is particularly amusing.
Not particularly high-brow or insightful, but an appropriate read this week, following an Australian federal election, and not a bad way to spend an hour or so.
July 3, 2021
Australian politics has always been a subject ripe for humour, particularly in recent times. Mark Humphreys and Evan Williams are the satirists on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s 7:30 programme who sum up recent events in hilarious fashion. Some have even gone viral, such as the Greta Thunberg Helpline sketch. The pair have now turned their talents to the latest edition in Hachette’s ‘On’ series, which is on politics (and stuff).
This is definitely not a dry tome. (Nor is it sticky as the back cover proclaimed – I think something is wrong with my copy guys…!) Although it is pocket size and would be great to read on public transport, I wouldn’t recommend it. Why? It’s absolutely bloody hilarious and not only are you likely to double over laughing, you will probably spread germs as you cry and snort with laughter. The authors take us through Australia’s politics from why Canberra, the political parties and our recent prime ministers (there’s a few). If you are a follower of recent politics, you’ll notice many controversies (onions!) and memorable moments (how not to eat a sausage in a bun). Voting and the various ministerial positions are also covered, including the famous democracy sausages. (Yes, sausages are a big thing in Australian politics and storms over onions do occur on regular occasions). It’s witty, smart and much more interesting than politics itself.
Thank you to Hachette for the copy. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
This is definitely not a dry tome. (Nor is it sticky as the back cover proclaimed – I think something is wrong with my copy guys…!) Although it is pocket size and would be great to read on public transport, I wouldn’t recommend it. Why? It’s absolutely bloody hilarious and not only are you likely to double over laughing, you will probably spread germs as you cry and snort with laughter. The authors take us through Australia’s politics from why Canberra, the political parties and our recent prime ministers (there’s a few). If you are a follower of recent politics, you’ll notice many controversies (onions!) and memorable moments (how not to eat a sausage in a bun). Voting and the various ministerial positions are also covered, including the famous democracy sausages. (Yes, sausages are a big thing in Australian politics and storms over onions do occur on regular occasions). It’s witty, smart and much more interesting than politics itself.
Thank you to Hachette for the copy. My review is honest.
http://samstillreading.wordpress.com
July 6, 2021
3.5 stars
Kinda finishes when it really is just getting started but despite the joking references, it's not supposed to be a comprehensive overview of Australian politics. What is in this slim volume however are quite a few genuinely funny (and 'spot on') observations. For instance ...
"The Australian public watches politics with a sharp eye and will not hesitate to discard a government if the newspaper with the most footy coverage tells them to." or ...
"If you’re not clear if you live in a safe seat, the easy way to work it out is that safe Liberal seats are ones where residents own leaf-blowers, while safe Labor seats are ones where you can walk down the street without a shirt on." or perhaps my personal favourite ...
"The Australian Labor Party was formed on 8 May 1901. On 9 May 1901, people began to complain that the Australian Labor Party was better in the old days."
Kinda finishes when it really is just getting started but despite the joking references, it's not supposed to be a comprehensive overview of Australian politics. What is in this slim volume however are quite a few genuinely funny (and 'spot on') observations. For instance ...
"The Australian public watches politics with a sharp eye and will not hesitate to discard a government if the newspaper with the most footy coverage tells them to." or ...
"If you’re not clear if you live in a safe seat, the easy way to work it out is that safe Liberal seats are ones where residents own leaf-blowers, while safe Labor seats are ones where you can walk down the street without a shirt on." or perhaps my personal favourite ...
"The Australian Labor Party was formed on 8 May 1901. On 9 May 1901, people began to complain that the Australian Labor Party was better in the old days."
October 2, 2021
This book is a quick satirical glance at Australian politics.
And its pros and cons are exactly the same: that it was a quick satirical glance at Australian politics.
I loved that it was a small 97 page pocket read, short enough to read in one sitting. But for its price, I expected more. It was about the length of a large essay, and whenever I got invested in a topic, the chapter abruptly ended. I also appreciated the high level overview of the book, which was a reflection on the often nonsensical process and procedures of politics, as well as a couple of memorable events in our history. This gave it a timeless quality, such that it could be read at any time in about a 20 year period and still feel relevant. But I had hoped for a more contemporary analysis of our current politics: there was no mention of COVID, for example, and and no commentary on what is happening with our current governments. It felt...like it was being held at arm's length.
On Politics didn't pull its punches, going after each party and politician with equal glee, and although some of the running jokes grew stale after being repeated several times in such a short book, it was a fun reflection of the state of our country's leadership. I'll leave you with one of my favourite quotes.
"Undoubtedly, the lowest points of the [reality TV show called Parliament Question Time] are the recurring 'Dorothy Dixer' segments, where a government backbencher asks a pre-approved, rehearsed question to a locked-and-loaded-with-talking-points government minister. These combine all the stilted acting of a pizza guy in an adult film with the sterile delivery of a Chemist Warehouse ad. And yet, much like André Rieu albums, they just keep coming."
And its pros and cons are exactly the same: that it was a quick satirical glance at Australian politics.
I loved that it was a small 97 page pocket read, short enough to read in one sitting. But for its price, I expected more. It was about the length of a large essay, and whenever I got invested in a topic, the chapter abruptly ended. I also appreciated the high level overview of the book, which was a reflection on the often nonsensical process and procedures of politics, as well as a couple of memorable events in our history. This gave it a timeless quality, such that it could be read at any time in about a 20 year period and still feel relevant. But I had hoped for a more contemporary analysis of our current politics: there was no mention of COVID, for example, and and no commentary on what is happening with our current governments. It felt...like it was being held at arm's length.
On Politics didn't pull its punches, going after each party and politician with equal glee, and although some of the running jokes grew stale after being repeated several times in such a short book, it was a fun reflection of the state of our country's leadership. I'll leave you with one of my favourite quotes.
"Undoubtedly, the lowest points of the [reality TV show called Parliament Question Time] are the recurring 'Dorothy Dixer' segments, where a government backbencher asks a pre-approved, rehearsed question to a locked-and-loaded-with-talking-points government minister. These combine all the stilted acting of a pizza guy in an adult film with the sterile delivery of a Chemist Warehouse ad. And yet, much like André Rieu albums, they just keep coming."
July 20, 2021
For Australian politics’ tragics who will get all the jokes. Did make me laugh out loud. This must mean I am one of those tragics. Oops. Disproportionate number of quips about a politician eating a raw onion. Might not actually deserve a five star rating, but I’m in lockdown and going insane.
July 2, 2021
It truly is the most comprehensive look at Australian politics and just why it’s so rife for parody.
July 5, 2021
Thin in volume thin on real satire .
October 2, 2021
Punchy, smart, hilarious and brilliant
August 25, 2022
For a short book it seemed a little slow to warm up. Still perfect book to build numbers for my reading challenge.
June 19, 2024
Quick read, a bit of a lol, on Australian politics.
July 14, 2024
I would have loved more. Some of the references and jokes in this were absolute gold. Literally in tears.
November 5, 2025
Around 100 pages, and I was chuckling through most of them. ^_^
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews