Edition 21: Hidden Queensland

Queensland is the new centre of political gravity in Australia. Twenty years ago it was a repressive and corrupt place out of step with the rest of the nation.

Hidden Queensland explores the most remarkable transition in Australian political history: in the people, the politics and the policies – and also exposes the lingering impact of secrets.

The election of Kevin Rudd as prime minister signalled a momentous change in Australia - political power moved north for the first time. As he said, ‘You can take the boy out of Nambour, but you can't take Nambour out of the boy.’ This edition explains how this happened and what it means for Australia.

The lead essay by Julianne Schultz provides a fresh and comprehensive analysis of how today's leaders and visionaries forged their ideals in the ashes of corruption and conflict. She describes the way networks with radical roots were formed and nurtured in the subtropical heat.

This accounting of the recent past – and coincidences that emerge only in hindsight – provides a unique insight into the motivations of those now at the epicentre of national power.

Behind the utopian dreams – and the weather – which draw record numbers of newcomers to Queensland, there are older narratives and bitter conflicts buried throughout the state. An outstanding collection of writers in this fifth anniversary edition breathe life into these stories, so that they will not be lost to history.

Other writers include:

John Birmingham, Matt Foley, Stuart Glover,
Phil Brown, Craig Munro, Stephen Stockwell,
Mark Finnane, Kristina Olsson, Edwina Shaw,
Marg O'Donnell, Marilyn McMeniman,
Mary-Rose MacColl, Thomas Shapcott,
Robyn Sheahan-Bright, Nike Bourke,
Will Elliott, Julie Gittus, Michael Wesley, Peter Sutton,
Anna Haebich, Paul Turnbull, Trent Dalton,
Adam Narnst, Seanna van Halten, Nigel Krauth,
Pat Hoffie, Anne Coombs, Ashley Hay, Brett Caldwell
and Luke Slattery. Poems by Anna Krien and
John Stephenson.
Photo essay by Juanita Muller.