It was an historic moment in Australian political history. A sea of purple balloons filled a packed hall in Sydney's North Ryde, faces young and old beamed with the excitement of change, and one woman was set to make history and claim the seat from Australia's second-longest-serving Prime Minister.

It had all the characteristics of a classic tale: David and Goliath, the tortoise and the hare, Don Quixote and the windmill. When Maxine McKew decided to run in Bennelong, she became the ultimate underdog.

In The Battle for Bennelong, journalist Margot Saville hits the campaign trail with Maxine McKew, indulging in Maxine's obsession with dim sum, watching her draw yet another raffle and dance excitedly at the Granny Smith Festival. Saville's unprecedented access takes us to campaign dinners, fundraising meet-and-greets, behind the electioneering machine and inside Maxine's house on election night.

Saville records her fleeting, tightly managed meetings with the Prime Minister, and the commensurate highs and lows in both camps during the six-week campaign. Saville also includes the episode of the Lindsay 'how to vote' scandal and its devastating repercussions.

In a tight contest against John Howard fought on issues such as the economy, WorkChoices and succession plans, did Maxine's dancing affect her primary vote? You'll find out in The Battle for Bennelong.