James Walter is an emeritus professor at Monash University where he was formerly Head of the School of Political and Social Inquiry. A fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia, and a former president of the Australian Political Studies Association, Walter has published widely on political biography, political advisers, political ideas, policy decision making and leadership. He was lead author of his last book The Pivot of Power: Australian Prime Ministers and Political Leadership, 1949-2016.

Carolyn Holbrook is an historian at Deakin University. Her most recent books are Challenging Anzacs: Stories that don't fit the Legend with Mia Martin Hobbs and Joan Beaumont and Golden Age? Remembering the Hawke Government with Frank Bongiorno and Joshua Black. Holbrook is the director of Australian Policy and History, which connects historical evidence to contemporary political and social issues, and the Australian Health & History archive.