Michael Easson on Depression era PM James Scullin: ”Trying to hold the place together”

2025-03-05

Who was Australia's unluckiest Prime Minister? On Afternoon Light #188 Georgina Downer speaks with Michael Easson about James Scullin, the PM sworn in the week of the Wall Street Crash. His 1931 electoral defeat was the last time an Australian federal government failed to win a second term; a record Anthony Albanese is desperate to avoid. Michael Easson AM is a businessman, company director, former union leader and Labor historian. Thirty years ago, he was Secretary of the Labor Council of NSW [now...

Who was Australia's unluckiest Prime Minister?

On Afternoon Light #188 Georgina Downer speaks with Michael Easson about James Scullin, the PM sworn in the week of the Wall Street Crash. His 1931 electoral defeat was the last time an Australian federal government failed to win a second term; a record Anthony Albanese is desperate to avoid.

Michael Easson AM is a businessman, company director, former union leader and Labor historian. Thirty years ago, he was Secretary of the Labor Council of NSW [now called Unions NSW], a Vice President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions; and Senior Vice President of the NSW ALP. He published Connor Court's Whitlam’s Foreign Policy as well as In Search of John Christian Watson: Labor’s First Prime Minister. His latest book is the Australian Biographical Monograph on James Scullin.

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