Andrew Fisher and the 'Australian Spirit'

The author discusses his biography of Andrew Fisher, who served as Australia's first Prime Minister for three terms beginning in 1908. The author evaluates some of Fisher's political achievements and his successful nation-building initiatives. Fisher used his political office to foster a deeper sense of Australian identity and nationhood among the people. The establishment of national institutions like the Commonwealth Bank and the transcontinental railway and schemes like old age pensions helped foster a sense of national spirit. On Wednesday 5 November 2008, David Day addressed The Sydney Institute on Andrew Fisher's life and times.