The Page Research Centre has republished John "Black Jack" McEwen's autobiography, which was first published in 1980. Unfortunately, only 200 copies of the book were originally printed so until now, they have been difficult to find.

McEwen was one of Australia's most influential and controversial political figures.

He stabilised the marketplace for farmers, modernised our trade relationships, particularly with Japan, and established high levels of protection for secondary industry. He served as a minister for more than a third of Australia's first 70 years as a nation. 

He was a giant of the Country / Nationals party and we should celebrate the political heros that have gone before us. 2014 marks 80 years since his election so it is appropriate that his story is retold now in his own words.

'John McEwen: His Story' can be purchased for $25 plus postage by emailing [email protected] and the Kindle version is available for $12 via http://www.amazon.com.au/John-McEwen-His-Story

I wrote an opinion piece in the Queensland Country Life to mark the launch of the book (available here) and I gave a speech in the Senate on the book too (available here).

At the launch of the book in Canberra, Laurie Oakes gave a magnificent speech on what it was like to know John McEwen. His speech is available here.