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Battlelines Kindle Edition
by Tony Abbott (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
3.2 3.2 out of 5 stars (29)
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New introduction on why good policy matters and why books debating big policy ideas matter. Abbott argues the battle of ideas helps ensure political parties come to power knowing who they are, what they stand for, what the impact of the policies might be and how they can best be implemented. Good policy is 1% headline and 99% implementation — a lesson Labor has failed to heed. Liberal Party leader and parliamentary pugilist Tony Abbott offers a frank analysis of the way forward for the Liberal Party. Here he draws lessons from the dying days of the Howard Government, and gives his views on his contemporaries, including Kevin Rudd, Peter Costello, Julia Gillard and Malcolm Turnbull. In Battlelines, Abbott looks at the values and instincts that drive the Liberal Party and proposes policy that the party should adopt. This is the often humorous story of his own political development. He describes the truth about politicians' lives; his 'days from hell'; insider moments from the halls of power; and how a would-be priest believed he had fathered an unknown son. Battlelines outlines a state of play for the Liberal Party, cementing Tony Abbott's reputation as one of the Liberal Party's most interesting thinkers and fearless advocates.
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Genre
Biography
Print length
264 pages
From Australia
JohnA
4.0 out of 5 stars Insight into a complex character from the man himself
Reviewed in Australia on 2 August 2018
Good to read after nine years have elapsed.
I can't agree with everything he says but I understand him better.
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David Peter Ehrlich
1.0 out of 5 stars FIRST CLASS FARCICAL INEPTITUDE AND MORAL BANKRUPTCY
Reviewed in Australia on 15 October 2025
Format: Kindle
A TOTAL, SHAMEFUL, DELUSIONAL, DECREPIT, BOMBASTIC AND DIVINELY DELUSIONAL; SCHMOCK-FEST, FROM A MAN SO TOTALLY INHABITING IS OWN BIZZARO WORLD OF EARLY 19TH CENTURY EUROPE THAT HE DEEMED IT NECESSARY TO AWARD THE DUKE OF EDINBUROUGH WITH A KNIGHTHOOD ! INCREDIBLE PIECE OF INTELLECTUAL DEVOLUTION THAT GIVES A NEW DEFINITION TO THE PHRASE; FIRST CLASS FARCICAL INEPTITUDE AND MORAL BANKRUPTCY ON A PROTO-BIBLICAL SCALE THAT MAKES NOAH'S FLOOD SEEM LIKE A CASUAL STROLL UPON THE AZURE BEACHES OF TOTAL OBLIVION.
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Judy Tyson
1.0 out of 5 stars Save your money
Reviewed in Australia on 6 April 2015
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Tony should reread his book and remind himself of his statements now he is primeminister. There is a huge difference between Opposition and the Government. People can reflect at leisure of his statements.
Not a good read, pretty boring
3 people found this helpful
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James
2.0 out of 5 stars Empowering the Federation
Reviewed in Australia on 18 January 2015
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Abbott appears a little more human in this book than in real life. He does seem concerned about making the world better. He was Health Minister and a lot of this book focuses on state government waste. However there are clear bias towards federalism. It starts well by presenting a more personal side to the man, but ends as a sort of dull political diatribe on constitutional change giving effectively unlimited power to the Federal government through a sort of trick loophole manipulation of the constitution that would never ever pass through the Australian people. Abbott somehow needs to stand for decency in process. He admits Kennett was a hero of his - a right wing dictator who bent the rules and operated in secret to get a lot done. But upset a lot of people. I don't think that is the way to rule. Yet it is what Australia is currently getting from Abbott. We need someone who is honest, fair and open and ALSO gets things done. At the moment we are getting none of these from Abbott and this book kind of explains why. The title is misleading though, he is far more approachable than this and stresses practical results rather than ideals in governing. A better title would have been Empowering the Federation
One person found this helpful
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Galena girl
1.0 out of 5 stars Self serving rubbish
Reviewed in Australia on 1 October 2015
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A tedious collection of motherhood statements, revisionism and self serving twaddle.
4 people found this helpful
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Optimistic Australian
1.0 out of 5 stars A terrible read, not surprising
Reviewed in Australia on 24 April 2015
A terrible read, not surprising. This book will be the only reminder that will remain of Tony Abbott once he is expelled at the next federal election (hopefully sooner).
4 people found this helpful
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From other countries
Dylan
4.0 out of 5 stars Detailed and informative
Reviewed in the United States on 22 August 2013
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Those who say Tony Abbott is all about slogans would be well advised to read this book. He thoughtfully and in great detail spells out his political values and policy intentions. A good read that felt a bit like a textbook. Could've used more examples of narratives and conversations though as I found all the policy discussion a little dry at times.
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AussieChick
5.0 out of 5 stars The Rise and Rise of Tony Abbott
Reviewed in the United States on 7 October 2013
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A well written book. Simple language, powerful values and ideals. Tony Abbott is far more expressive and fluent in his writing than he appears on our TV screens. I enjoyed learning about the man. It was a refreshing change, especially after reading Howes and Cassidy's books.
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Danny
3.0 out of 5 stars Did not hold my Attetion
Reviewed in the United States on 12 October 2013
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Whilst not into political theology I thought this book would give me an insight into the man himself and what drives him and his vision for the country. Whilst interesting I found that most of the middle chapters waffled on too much and as such did not hold my attention for long periods of time. The last few chapters were more to the point of where he saw the future for the liberal party and the country.
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Trixie
4.0 out of 5 stars A worthy champion
Reviewed in the United States on 16 October 2013
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I have enjoyed this frank account of the early influences for Tony Abbott's path to seventeen years of political life, and what has been achieved in those years.
It gives detailed facts and figures and shows his understanding of the responsibilities and frustrations, as well as the relentless spotlight on private life. He recognizes the challenges to be faced, yet admits he is 'by no means immune from making an error of judgement', while 'successful outcomes bring immense personal satisfaction'.
To read this book will increase awareness of that chosen life. It would promote better understanding if other persuasions put their thoughts to writing like that.
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Warran Abbott
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read just skip the waffle.
Reviewed in the United States on 16 June 2013
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All round I enjoyed this book although the author did tend to get bogged down from time to time. If you are interested in Australian politics and what makes Tony Abbott tick it is definitely worth reading
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Aussie Doc
5.0 out of 5 stars Read it to understand the man
Reviewed in the United States on 14 December 2013
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Put aside any preconceived ideas and read what the man himself has to say.
An important book no matter what side of politics you are on.
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Varied reader
3.0 out of 5 stars An insight into Australia's prime minister
Reviewed in the United States on 1 December 2013
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Like him or not, Tony Abbott is the prime minister of Australia, and this is the book he wrote prior to becoming prime minister. And it does help to explain some of where he is coming from.
Even if some of it is not great. At one stage he defends conservatism because it allows more change...and on climate change, he takes every possible position. I could go on, but it is best that you read it yourself and form your own opinion.
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Leigh Nielsen
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
Reviewed in the United States on 20 March 2014
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If you want to know more about Australia's current Prime Minister this is a good place to start. Far deeper fellow than the main stream media portray him. With a little good fortune he should develop into a fine PM.
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