In 2008, I attended my first ALP State Conference. It was exciting to be sent along as a delegate. Much of the two day conference was spent listening to long winded speeches for and against electricity privatisation. It was slow going.
I decided to go outside for a breather and whilst there spotted another conferene attendee also breathing.
I knew who he was immediately and decided that this was my time. I went over and introduced myself to Bob Ellis. I knew him as a playwright, film maker, political speechwriter, author and national treasure. He was only too happy to indulge me.
My first question was about his book, "First Abolish the Customer" (1998) 202 arguments against economic rationalism.
It was the first book that coloured and explained my unease at modern economic thinking put forward by Liberal governments state and federal and was common thinking on talk back radio, journalists and businesses.
It includes the notion of user pays, which really meant user pays a fortune. The lack of infrastructure investment, including the selling off of key profit making assets and the idea that if something is not profitable, like welfare and public healthcare, then it should be gotten rid of.
Ellis told me of the germ of an idea he got and how a writer can develop a thought into a book. This book. Pure gold.
We chatted about Labor politics, the Libs, I asked him what he thought of democratic candidate Obama. He told me he saw him give a speech earlier that he thought was "17 times better thn the Gettysburg address" and that Obama was the greatest orator of our time.
45 minutes into the conversation, Bob asked me what time was lunch. I said, "now". He replied, "well come on, lets get a steak sandwich". And we did. It was the most interesting lunch a young member of the ALP could have had.
Thank you Bob. He won't remember me. But I will never forget. What I learnt that day, most will never get to appreciate. But with great pleasure, I have located for you this recent televised interview to catch a glimpse of a flavoured genius.
