I preordered this book and when it was arrived I was surprised by its heft. How could Savva write 424 pages on the May 2025 election, especially when the fall out from the event is still unfurling? Part of the reason is that the first 215 pages are filled with Savva's columns The Age/SMH beginning in August 2021 when Morrison's government was unravelling. I enjoy Savva's columns but including them in this book created a disjointed reading experience. Especially since these columns tread over ground covered in Bulldozed. I would have much preferred her to condense these 215 pages into 50-60 pages of quality writing on Albanese's first term.
When the new content commences, Savva had mined many sources to get the inside scoop on what went wrong for the Coalition and right for Labor. Dutton's campaign was plagued by own-goals: failing to have substantial policies; alienating women and minorities; not trusting his team; and playing the hard man when voters reject alignment with Trumpism. Savva explores the identity crisis within the Liberal party which has lost its sensible centre and moved to the fringes. They failed to learn the lessons from the 2022 election which saw a record number of independent elected in formerly blue-ribbon Liberal seats, and double down on irrelevant nonsense when Australians were facing cost-of-living pressures. Savva, who interviewed Dutton for this book, expresses concern that the softer, more human, side of Dutton never surfaced. His misguided loyalty meant that he did not reign in Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa-Price when she went full MAGA, and he didn't quash poisonous policy ideas like return to work. Nor did he engage with the media beyond Sky After Dark, in which he spoke to his own echo chamber.
Indeed, with all the problems in the Coalition, it is easy to think Albanese 'did a Bradbury' and skated to victory when his opponents fell over. However, Albanese ran a disciplined campaign and was surrounded by competent, diverse Ministers. Albanese had trusted advisers and listened to those around him. He stayed on message and was able to distinguish himself from Dutton. Where errors were made, they were quickly rectified and not left to fester. Albanese always had faith in himself, that he would win and come away with a majority. He was humble and kind to Dutton after what would have been a humiliating loss.
Overall, Earthquake is not up to the standard I expected from Niki Savva. I feel she was let down in the editing process (which would have removed the annoying typos and streamlined the content) and a rush to print before Christmas (which would have allowed more time for Savva to explore the post-mortem). However, I am glad that I read it and acknowledge that Savva is a gifted journalist. Her ability to tap into sources, gives readers a delicious room-where-it-happened insight into the political machinations at play.