Memorable speeches define a people and a place: they define a nation. It is impossible to imagine Australia’s past without Peter Lalor’s rallying cry at the Eureka Stockade or Ned Kelly’s last words from the dock. Or to imagine recent decades without Pauline Hanson’s controversial maiden speech in parliament or Gough Whitlam’s famous words after the Dismissal, which give this endlessly engrossing collection its title.

Since its publication in 2004, Well May We Say has become both an indispensable reference and a treasure trove for readers seeking inspiration. This second edition features a new introduction and the addition of defining speeches from the past ten years, among them the Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples and Julia Gillard’s misogyny speech. It is a must for every Australian bookshelf.