The End of Certainty: The Story of the 1980s

“The End of Certainty” is about power, personality and national destiny. It is the inside story of how Australia was governed by Bob Hawke and Paul Keating during the 1980s.

The decade was dominated by Hawke’s victories, Keating’s economics and the spectacular transition of these men from allies to enemies. The book covers the disarray within the Liberal and National Parties, the contest between Andrew Peacock and John Howard, the “Joh-for-Canberra” push and John Elliott’s dalliance with power. It explains how Australia fell into recession and who is to blame for the 1980s financial furnace. Kelly argues that the 1980s are more than a gripping story of intrigue, excess and recession. It is perhaps the most important decade since the early Federation years – because it is a time of creative destruction. The main theme of this book, beyond Labour’s political success and Liberal political failure, is Australia’s transformation as a nation.