Table of Contents

Introduction
“Party warfare required party organisation”
“An essentially new political organisation”?
The Wilderness Years
A “Liberal State”?
“A long period of division, instability and uncertainty”
The “Uglies” and the “Trendies” at War: 1978-81
“In the midst of a significant revival”: 1982-86
The Premier and the Organisation: 1987-91
“Renewal and Rejuvenation”
“A fraction too much faction”
Conclusion
Select bibliography / Index

Reviews

...The contents are a delight to read. Its arrangement is masterly. Here we have a history not just of a parliamentary party with its thrills and spills, not just of the party organisation, nor a story of their interaction. Though we have plenty of all that and it is beguiling. These pages contain the story of local branches and electorate conferences, the men and women who did not seek public office. Ian will highlight a wider concern about policy deviations or an election outcome by quoting letters from branches and individuals. Ian enjoyed the cooperation of the Liberal Party organisation and earned the trust of those he interviewed. The result does not read like an official history. This history is the work of a friendly critic, a friend not blind to shortcomings, a critic not afraid to attribute blame and give credit. Ian Hancock is not shy about expressing his own opinion on what happened... - From the Foreword by Rodney Cavalier, Committee Chairman, Sesquicentenary of Responsible Government in NSW 1856-2006, August 2007