Dark Victory

"Written with urgency, this book is a fascinating, genre-breaking account of the most significant political event in Australia's recent history and the political strategy that powered itùTampa. The Norwegian cargo-carrier Tampa came to the rescue of a faltering fishing boat bound for Australia with 438 Afghan, Iraqi, and Iranian refugees; however, the Australian government refused Tampa entry and subsequently detained the refugees. Since the plight of the refuges went public on the eve of a national election, the book details the manipulation of the public, the mutability of the press, and the machinations of one government to control the election outcome through newly scripted rubric on border control. This book explores AustraliaÆs faltering international reputation as a result of their response to the Tampa crisis. Specific issues addressed include John HowardÆs resurrection from the political dead, the Navy and ArmyÆs involvement in the election campaign, press censorship, and the disapproval of the United Nations and Amnesty International."