The former prime minister gained an understanding of the modern world from studying the lessons of history while drawing daily inspiration from classical music.
Paul Keating says he is fortunate that he left school at 14 and didn’t attend university because doing so would have inhibited the sense of inquiry that allowed him to imagine how the Australian economy could be completely reformed.
He says he gained the confidence and calling to go into public life from the love of his mother and grandmother at an early age. He drew a sense of audacity from Winston Churchill, who also did not study at university.
Michael StutchburyEditor-at-largeMichael Stutchbury is editor-at-large. He is in his fourth decade of writing for and editing national newspapers. After nearly six years as editor of The Australian, he returned to the Financial Review as editor-in-chief (2011-2024). Email Michael at mstutchbury@afr.com
