Page "Paul Keating" Paragraph 12

Several factors contributed to the success of Keating ’ s second challenge in December 1991.

Over the remainder of 1991, the economy showed no signs of recovery from the recession, and unemployment continued to rise.

Some of Keating ’ s supporters undermined the government.

The Government was polling poorly.

Perhaps more significantly, Liberal leader John Hewson introduced ' Fightback!

', an economic policy package, which, according to Keating ’ s biographer, John Edwards, ‘ appeared to astonish and stun Hawke ’ s cabinet ’.

According to Edwards, ‘ Hawke was unprepared to attack it and responded with windy rhetoric ’.

After Fightback !, Keating ‘ did practically nothing ’ as Hawke ’ s support dwindled and the numbers moved in Keating ’ s favour.

On 19 December 1991, Keating defeated Hawke in a party-room ballot for the leadership by 56 votes to 51, and become Prime Minister the following day.