Politics
Ellis, a supporter of the Australian Labor Party, has written speeches for a number of Labor leaders (such as Bob Carr, Paul Keating and Kim Beazley), and written extensively on Labor history.
In regards to Ellis' speech writing, Beazley had said on the 7.30 Report that if he had used any of Ellis' speeches he would have been out of politics.
Ellis' involvement in politics became more direct when he unsuccessfully contested the Federal seat of Mackellar as an independent candidate against the Liberal Party's Bronwyn Bishop in a by-election in 1994 as the ALP did not field a candidate at that by-election.
His 2011 book Suddenly, Last Winter - An Election Diary created headlines for its criticism of Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and praise for Liberal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. He described Gillard as "not well informed" and "sudden, firm and wrong" in everything she does. He also said "She has no power, no influence, no friends, no learning. There's not much there", whilst describing Abbott as having "good manners", being "formidable" and possessing a "first-class mind".
Ellis has written speeches for South Australian premier Mike Rann for a number of years.
Read more about this topic: Bob Ellis
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