The Fifth Estate: Insider Insights: Maxine McKew

The Fifth Estate is the Wheeler Centre’s new series of fortnightly forums: a more measured approach to news and current affairs. Provocative and studied, authoritative and unhurried, this is real analysis that will be pulling no punches. Hosted by broadcaster, journalist and anthropologist Sally Warhaft, The Fifth Estate is indispensible live journalism. All events are recorded, with podcast episodes posted on our website by noon the following day.

When a jubilant Maxine McKew ousted sitting prime minister John Howard from his own seat of Bennelong on election night 2007, nobody could have foreseen the events to come in the new Labor government’s first term. A star recruit for Kevin Rudd’s team, Maxine McKew left a distinguished career in journalism to experience life in politics. What are her thoughts about the current political scene? How has the media shaped contemporary political culture in Australia? And what is life like after politics for Maxine McKew? Join host Sally Warhaft for a wide-ranging conversation in this ‘spotlight’ edition of The Fifth Estate.

Listen to the podcast: mp3

Presenters

Sally Warhaft

Sally Warhaft is a Melbourne broadcaster and former editor of The Monthly magazine.

Maxine McKew

Maxine McKew’s career spans both politics and journalism. She is currently a Vice Chancellor’s Fellow with the University of Melbourne and works as an advisor on education for the not-for-profit group Social Ventures Australia. She is also Chair of Playgroup Australia and a member of the board of Per Capita.