Keating: The Interviews

Part One follows the boy from Bankstown with a childhood passion for antiques and classical music, rivalled only by his fascination for an English Tory named Churchill and the rich brawling history of the Labor Party. It also explores Keating's relationship with his mother, who has a killer instinct and an ambition to see her son become Prime Minister.

Part Two explores the story through Paul Keating's eyes of his powerful relationship with Bob Hawke, one that arguably led to the most successful reforming partnership in Australian politics. But they were two bulls in one paddock and the tensions were predictable.

From Paul Keating's dire warnings that Australia was headed for Third World status to the tearaway boom as economic reforms took hold, and "the recession we had to have", this is a tale as only Keating would tell it. His partnership with Bob Hawke ends in true Shakespearean style. "In the end I'd execute him..."

Part Four charts the politically risky ride of the Keating Prime Ministership-- building the road to an Australian Republic, repointing the continent to Asia, delivering the Redfern Speech, embracing Mabo, introducing compulsory superannuation and blowing budget surpluses to climb out of recession. Keating wins the unwinnable election and sees off two Opposition Leaders, Hewson and Downer, only to be brought down by a third.