The Robert Menzies Institute invites you to join us for the launch of our second book, The Menzies Watershed: Liberalism, Anti-communism, Continuities 1943–1954, edited by the Institute’s Research Manager and Historian, Dr. Zachary Gorman.

This exciting event is dedicated to exploring the political, policy, and strategic transformation that defined Australia during the pivotal eleven-year period between 1943 and 1954.

The book will be launched by the Hon. Dan Tehan MP, Member for Wannon in Victoria, and the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

Light refreshments will be served from 4:30pm with formalities commencing at 5:00pm.

About the Book:

The eleven years that passed between the 1943 and the 1954 elections were arguably some of the most pivotal in Australian history. This was a period of intense political, policy and strategic transition, which saw a popular Labor Government and its state-led vision for post-war reconstruction toppled by Robert Menzies and his newly formed political machine, the Liberal Party of Australia. Meanwhile, a backdrop of rising Cold War tensions came to dominate domestic and international policymaking, ushering in a divisive communist party ban, the ANZUS treaty, the Colombo Plan, and Australia’s own agency of international espionage, ASIS. But what was the difference in practical terms between Menzies and his predecessors? What role was the state to play under a centre-right government, and would Menzies be able to live up to the liberal ideals with which he had won over the Australian public? All these issues are explored in the second of a four-volume history of Menzies and his world, based on conferences convened by the Robert Menzies Institute at the University of Melbourne. Contributors include Christopher Beer, Andrew Blyth, Troy Bramston, Lorraine Finlay, Nicolle Flint, David Furse-Roberts, Anne Henderson, David Lee, Lucas McLennan, Lyndon Megarrity, Charles Richardson, William Stoltz and Tom Switzer.

Hon Dan Tehan MP:

The Hon Dan Tehan MP is the Member for Wannon in Victoria. He is the Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

Mr Tehan served as Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment from 22 December 2020 until the 2022 election. Prior to this, he served as Minister for Education from 28 August 2018 until December 2020. Between 2018 and 2016, Mr Tehan also served as Minister for Social Services, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Minister for Defence Personnel, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Cyber Security and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Centenary of Anzac.

Mr Tehan was elected to Federal Parliament in 2010 and has held positions, including the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security; Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Youth Mental Health, and; Chair of the Coalition Friends of Tourism.

Prior to entering Parliament, Mr Tehan worked in agriculture in Australia and overseas. He worked in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade where he held various roles, including as a diplomat at the Australian Embassy in Mexico. Mr Tehan also worked at senior levels of the Howard Government, and as the Director of Trade Policy and International Affairs at the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Mr Tehan has a Masters Degrees in International Relations and Foreign Affairs and Trade.

He is married and lives in Hamilton. He is a passionate supporter of the Richmond Football Club and enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

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