AustLit

'It revolves around the aspirations of Al Spencer, a fictitious former Australian politician turned businessman, to make a fortune in Asia. During his political career based in northern Australia, he championed the cause of close ties between Australia and Asia. But as his business venture - a boutique hotel in the southern Philippines - nears completion, problems threaten his dream and undermine his faith in Asian investment. These problems expose in Al Spencer an element of latent racism, a failure to come to terms with Asian points of view, a touch of misogyny, and a distrust of 'friends' he had sought to use in promotion of his venture.The play brings together issues as diverse as the fall of leaders and their 'cronies' (who are also cronies to Australian & international business), and Australia's ultimate sanction against illegal immigration - the seizing and the burning of boats caught fishing in Australian waters or carrying 'illegal' immigrants.' (Publication summary)