Michael Cooney – författare

Michael Cooney's riotous farce has all the ingredients for rib-tickling hilarity and offers a colourful selection of character roles. Eric Swan (aided by his Uncle George and unbeknown to his wife, Linda) has pocketed thousands of pounds through fraudulent DSS claims. When Norman Bassett (the lodger) opens the door to Mr Jenkins, the DSS Inspector, deceptive mayhem follows - as do the undertaker, bereavement counsellor, psychiatrist, Norman's fiancée, a corpse, the ominous Ms Cowper and a rather rebellious washing machine!"this superb farce...I found myself snorting like a demented whale. Cash on Delivery strikes me as being an instant classic of the genre." - Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph

The Kerwood brothers are not your everyday Tom, Dick and Harry. So when Tom Kerwood and his wife Linda nervously await Mrs Potter from the adoption agency, who's to assess them at home, it's not surprising that events get out of hand. Dick has returned from a French smuggling trip with brandy and cigarettes - and two Kosovan refugees. Meanwhile, hospital porter Harry has embarked on an ambitious plan (involving body parts) to get the price reduced on the house Tom and Linda want to buy. Hilarious mayhem ensues, as Tom must fabricate ever wilder explanations to placate Linda, Mrs Potter and a suspicious policeman. Seen to critical acclaim at London's Duke of York theatre in 2005, the Cooneys' smart, resourceful comedy starred the McGann brothers.

It was a comedy of manners, it was a comedy of errors, it was a tragedy, it was a bunch of stuff that happened; it was a calvary and a triumph.  This is what I most want to tell you: it was worth it.  Michael Cooney was Julia Gillard''s speechwriter for most of her time in office.  He came to the job a true believer in every sense, with years of Labor experience behind him.  But this was the prime minister''s office.  The stakes were high and the game had changed.  From mining to the economy to Afghanistan, Cooney wrote the speeches that helped to define the Gillard project: the prime minister''s program and vision for the country.  He was there at the coalface of decisions on the carbon ''tax'' and the budget surplus; in the lead-up to the ''misogyny'' speech and the ''we are us'' Labor conference speech.  He worked to crazy deadlines with perpetually conflicting advice, watching from behind the scenes while the government stumbled and the polls began to tell a grim tale.  He cried and laughed and swore as Australia''s first female prime minister got through a record number of pieces of legislation in the time she had.  This is his story, and hers.  Passionate. Argumentative. Funny and honest.  The Gillard Project is a fascinating and unique perspective on Australian political culture and its ramifications for us all. ''Of all the Gillard books, Cooney''s is far and away the best defence of her legacy . . . This is a full-throated love letter to ''''the Gillard Project'''' . . . and it doesn''t hurt that he''s funny and smart . . . True believers and agnostics alike may fall in love with The Gillard Project.'' Canberra Times