Making Progress: How good policy happens

Learn about transformational reforms like paid parental leave, the NDIS, the Apology to the Stolen Generations, and revolutionising pensions from Labor's Jenny Macklin, with insights from Julia Gillard, Ross Garnaut, Bill Kelty, Brian Howe, and Tanya Plibersek.

Is big policy reform still possible? Does Australia have the political will to tackle generational issues such as climate change, the housing crisis, rising inequality and Closing the Gap? Legendary Labor policymaker Jenny Macklin believes that if Australia wants to remain prosperous and fair, big policy reform is not just possible, it's essential. Making Progress takes us into the policy engine room and details how Macklin went about developing transformational initiatives such as the Apology to the Stolen Generations, paid parental leave and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, as well as delivering pension reforms that lifted one million Australians out of poverty. She explains how she became a policy wonk, and interviews key policymakers such as Julia Gillard, Brian Howe, Bill Kelty, Tanya Plibersek and Ross Garnaut, who share how they war-gamed ways to turn good policy ideas into reality. Part policy memoir, part war-room drama, part field guide, Making Progress: How Good Policy Happens is a political book with a message-and a method.

About the author:

Jenny Macklin is former deputy leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party, the first woman elected to a leadership position in a major Australian political party. In the Rudd–Gillard governments, she was minister for disability reform, families, housing, community services.

Joel Deane is a poet, novelist, journalist and speechwriter. He has published eight books and been a finalist in numerous literary awards, including the Walkley Book Award, the Prime Minister’s Literary Award, and the Melbourne Prize for Literature.

Product details:

Author: Jenny Macklin, Joel Deane

Publisher: Melbourne University Press

Pages: 288

Format: Paperback

Publication date: 16 April 2025

ISBN: 9780522866872