For over a decade, from 1976 to 1986, Neville Wran led the most successful Labor Government in New South Wales history. \nNow, for the first time, key ministers, advisers, public servants, party and union officials, and Wran himself, provide a critical retrospective on the era and its legacy today. \nIt was an era of unrivalled electoral success - four electoral victories were won, including two ‘Wranslides’ in 1978 and 1981. Wran was a hugely popular leader who galvanised Labor supporters around the nation, and provided the model for modern Labor leadership and government. \nIt was also an era of sound economic management and moderate progressive reform which transformed New South Wales in ways taken for granted today. \nSignificant policy achievements, and some mistakes, are noted in health, education, transport, conservation, consumer affairs, Aboriginal affairs, the status and rights of women, industrial relations, anti-discrimination and equal opportunity law reform, the arts and heritage protection, the public service, and electoral and institutional reform. \nThe contributions cover key policy areas, politics and elections. The candid views of the main players are balanced with those of academics, journalists and commentators. New interviews, original research and fresh analysis combine to provide a unique perspective on The Wran Era. \nThe Wran Era in the Paper…"The Balmain boy who became a Labor Party hero: Neville Wran dead at 87", The Australian April 21, 2014 Read full article...

Table of Contents:
Foreword Neville Wran Foreword Mark Arbib Preface Contributors Abbreviations Introduction Troy Bramston Part One: The Wran Era and Political Style The Path to Power Brian Dale Elections, Policy and Politics: An Overview David Clune The 'Wranslides' and Electoral Politics Antony Green The Wran Leadership Model Troy Bramston Part Two: Managing Government Working for Wran David Hill The Wran Cabinet Rodney Cavalier The Public Service Gerry Gleeson Neville Wran: The Voice of Sydney Graham Freudenberg Wran and the Media Rodney Tiffen Part Three: Policy and the Wran Government Health Laurie Brereton Education Michael Hogan Transport John Black The Economy Russell Ross Policing, Law and Order Andrew Clark Social Policy Gary Moore Social Policy and the Reform Agenda Frank Walker The Environment: Reform, National Parks and City Decline Jeff Angel Women's Policy: Courage with Caution - The decade in which NSW led the world in women's rights Carmel Niland An Aboriginal Perspective Pat O'Shane Reforming the Institutions of Governance David Bradbury Neville Wran and the Labor Council of NSW Michael Easson Part Four: Reflections and Assessments Reflections of a Minister Terry Sheahan An Assessment from the Outside Dennis Shanahan An Assessment from the Inside Stephen Loosley Appendix 1: Neville Wran's Resignation Speech, 7 June 1986Appendix 2: Cabinets and Ministries 1976-86 Appendix 3: NSW Leaders of the Opposition 1976-88 Appendix 4: Election Results 1973-86 Notes and Additional Sources Index