Socially Democratic

Secret Harbour, Labor's Longevity, and other Mailbag Questions with Lissie Ratcliff and Michael Gunner | Australia's Labor Podcast Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic is back with the September Mailbag. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by regular guest Lissie Ratcliff, as well as former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory, Michael Gunner. They cover: 🤔 Is Labor building a genuine generational realignment, or just winning on preferential voting and Liberal collapse? 🌊 A 22% primary swing against Labor in Secret Harbour, a One Nation winner on 40% of the vote, and what it tells us about mortgage belt voters, protest voting, and how to contest One Nation without alienating the people voting for them. 🗳️ How is the Ben Carroll Government positioning themselves ahead of the fast-approaching Victorian election? Plus, the Dan Andrews's statue saga. ⛏️ One Nation's push to let Australians crack open their superannuation. Why Barnaby Joyce's train wreck interview is no comfort, and why super needs to become the next Medicare. Plus, the Watch List. Mentioned in the Show: The Americans on Netflix Dungeon Crawler Carl https://www.goodreads.com/series/309211-dungeon-crawler-carl The Bombing of Pan Am 103 on Netflix Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic is launching something new. Starting next month, we're embarking on a two-year series called The Recount: a month-by-month deep dive into every single federal election since 1972. That's 21 elections, one per episode, all the way from Gough Whitlam's 'It's Time' to Labor's historic 2025 victory. No one has ever done long-form analysis of Australian federal campaigns quite like this. We're going to speak to the people who were in the room, examine what actually happened, from the strategy, the technology, and the seminal moments that turned each election. We ask the question that hangs over all of it: do campaigns actually matter? Joining Stephen Donnelly for the entire journey is Dr Stephen Mills, a journalist, former speechwriter in Bob Hawke's office, and author of three landmark books on Australian political campaigns: The New Machine Men, The Hawke Years, and The Professionals. In this introductory episode, they discuss how Australian federal campaigning transformed from gut feel and state-based fiefdoms to data, analytics and national strategy. The Recount begins on September 18 with Episode 1: 1972, It's Time. Don't miss it. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Mentioned in the Show: 'The Professionals: Strategy, Money and the Rise of the Political Campaigner in Australia' [ https://amzn.to/4yemmRO ] by Dr. Stephen Mills Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

This special episode of Socially Democratic was recorded live at the Victorian Trades Hall Council, as a fundraiser for four Labor women fighting battleground seats in November: Michaela Settle (Eureka), Daniela De Martino (Monbulk), Pauline Richards (Cranbourne) and Belinda Wilson (Narre Warren North). 🙏 A huge thank you to Trades Hall for hosting us. 🙏 Alongside our Labor MPs, host Stephen Donnelly is joined by David Feeney and Jessie McCrone. They cover: 📊 The polling: what Labor's 23-25% primary actually means in a three-party race 🏛️ Why this election is existential for the Liberal Party, and potentially the Nationals too 🎭 How Jess Wilson is running the Scott Morrison playbook, and why it's working on the media 🧩 Cost of living, crime, and corruption: how Labor frames the issues where it's trailing 🗳️ One Nation. Are they ready to run a full campaign? 😇 😇 😎 Two Truths and a Lie with all four candidates. 📰 Plus all your favourite categories, with submissions from the live audience! Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #CurrentAffairs #VictorianElection #VictorianLabor #BenCarroll #OneNation #PaulineHanson #JessWilson #LiberalPartyVictoria #DavidFeeney #JessieMcCrone #MichaellaSettle #DaniellaDiMartino #PaulineRichards #BelindaWilson #VictorianTradesHall #IBAC #CostOfLiving #WarrenPickering #Elections #Campaigns #Strategy Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic returns to one of the most important and difficult conversations in Australian public life. In December last year, following the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach that killed 15 Jewish Australians on the first night of Hanukkah, we spoke about the rise of antisemitism in Australia and the Left's role in allowing it to fester. We promised to follow up. The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is now in its sixth month of hearings. Over 20,000 submissions have been made in the largest community response to any Royal Commission in Australian history, from a community of just 120,000 people. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Lisa Mittelman, Director of Public Affairs and Strategy for the Zionist Federation of Australia, to unpack what we're learning. ⚖️ Where does free speech end and threats to safety begin? ✡️ How the days after October 7th changed the Jewish community's understanding of their place in Australia 📋 How the Jewish community organised, overcame hesitancy and fear, and made history with 20,000 submissions 🏫 Where antisemitism is most embedded: universities, schools, the arts, and social media, and why that's not an accident 🔤 The Z word: how "Zionist" has become a socially acceptable substitute for "Jew" 💙 What the Jewish community hopes the Royal Commission delivers, and what gives Lisa hope Don't miss this ep. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic is back with the August Mailbag. It's just Stephen and Lissie this month, with Todd Pinkerton away temporarily. Lissie Ratcliff joins host Stephen Donnelly for a packed episode covering teacher strikes in Victoria, the Suburban Rail Loop saga, gambling reform, UK Politics, and a deep dive into the US Democratic primaries. They cover: 📚 The AEU teacher strikes. The union's own leadership had a deal voted down by its members - so how do the AEU and the Carroll government get this over the line before the election? 🚇 The Suburban Rail Loop. Voters like it and it's the kind of long-term infrastructure planning we say we want - so why does the Victorian media hate it? 🎰 Gambling advertising. Has the government got the settings right, and what happens when you try to wean sporting codes off dirty money? 🌍 Around the grounds: What the Democratic primaries in Michigan and Wisconsin tell us about where the left is heading, plus Nigel Farage fighting a by-election against a bloke with a rubbish bin on his head. 📺 Watch list: Political Currency with Kemi Badenoch [ https://apple.co/3TYFrIW ] Larry David's Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness [ https://bit.ly/3UgHmst ] Don't miss this ep. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Socially Democratic goes live at the 50th ALP National Conference Fringe in Adelaide for a special panel on one of the Labor Party's most important and least discussed challenges: how do we grow our membership, and how do we keep people once they join? Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Todd Pinkerton, Director of Campaigns and Strategy at Unions NSW; Bisma Asif, Member for Sandgate in the Queensland Parliament; and Hannah MacLeod, Executive Director SA/NT at the McKell Institute. They cover: 🧩 Why there's no coordinated national strategy for Labor Party recruitment, and what that costs us 💸 Potential structural issues like the price of joining and the waiting list problem 📉 The Corbyn cautionary tale: when half a million people joined UK Labour and almost none of them did anything 🍺 Politics in the pub, gazebos, and Labor merch: what's actually working on the ground 🗳️ What Bisma learned from doorknocking for eight months 🤝 The missing middle. Who's recruiting the people who aren't at uni and aren't retired? Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic goes live at the 50th ALP National Conference in Adelaide. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by David Feeney and Jessie McCrone for a wide-ranging night of conference trivia, half-year report cards, and hot takes. They cover: 🏛️ Conference democracy. Has expanding the ALP National Conference to 400 delegates made it more powerful or less? 🌟 South Australia's golden era. Penny Wong, Don Farrell, Mark Butler, Peter Malinauskas, and why the SA branch is punching well above its weight Plus, 📊 Half-year report cards. 🍺 Conference trivia. 🏆 Who won the month. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #CurrentAffairs #ALPNationalConference #Adelaide #SouthAustralia #PennyWong #DonFarrell #MarkButler #PeterMalinauskas #AnthonyAlbanese #OneNation #PaulineHanson #Greens #Teals #LiberalParty #AngusT aylor #AndyBurnham #TobaccoPolicy #DavidFeeney #JessieMcCrone #FeeneyFiles #HousingPolicy #Elections Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic is back with a snap episode. Victoria has a new Premier. On Monday and Tuesday, in a matter of 48 hours, Jacinta Allan was replaced by Ben Carroll, who is now the 50th Premier of Victoria. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by two people who know Victorian Labor politics from the inside: former Victorian State Secretary and MP David Feeney, and former Chief of Staff to the Daniel Andrews - Lissie Ratcliff. They unpack: 🏛️ The plot. Sunday night's factional conveners meeting, Monday's delegation, the cabinet meeting, the leaked briefing note, and Tuesday's caucus showdown 🧵 Why Jacinta Allan's Premiership came to a head: the construction industry scandal, the Canberra disease infecting Spring Street, and a decentralised cabinet 🗳️ The deputy leadership ballot: Gabriel Williams needing right faction votes, and what it means for the left's internal split 🔧 What Ben Carroll has to do in the next 130 days before the election: staffing, reshuffling, pivoting to campaign mode, and setting a new agenda ⚖️ The defensive grid vs the proactive agenda: integrity, community and safety, and economics Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

This episode of Socially Democratic is a special two-parter recorded on the eve of the ALP National Conference in Adelaide. Part one: pollster John Armitage from Qdos Research joins Stephen for a mid-year federal check-in. One Nation is at 30% in Newspoll. The Liberals have collapsed to 19%. And the swing is coming from women. Part two: Priya Brown from GRA Partners breaks down the Secret Harbour by-election in WA: a long winter campaign in a mortgage-belt seat that One Nation has firmly in its sights. 📊 One Nation at 30%: what it means on two-party preferred, and why the vote is still soft 🏛️ Why the Liberals going One Nation-lite is electoral suicide 🧭 Competent vs caring: how voters see Albanese, Taylor, and Hanson 👩 Why Labor is losing women to One Nation, and how to get them back 🗺️ Secret Harbour: demographics, redrawn boundaries, and One Nation's perfect test seat 🏆 Why Labor's campaign machine gives them the edge in a long winter by-election Don't miss this ep. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #CurrentAffairs #OneNation #PaulineHanson #Polling #Newspoll #JohnArmitage #KudosResearch #SecretHarbour #WesternAustralia #WAPolitics #PriyaPatelBrown #WomenVoters #MortgageBelt #FIFOWorkers #LiberalParty #AngusT aylor #AnthonyAlbanese #Elections #Campaigns #Strategy #Coalition Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Socially Democratic is back with the July Mailbag, and we're here to answer your questions on AI regulation, nationalising critical infrastructure, and whether Victorians should be nervous about the state election. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by former Chief of Staff to Daniel Andrews and Managing Partner at FMRS Advisory Lissie Ratcliff, and the Director of Campaigns and Strategy at Unions NSW, Todd Pinkerton. They cover: 🤖 Albanese's big AI speech. Is it a fundamental shift in the government's position, or just a step in the right direction? 🏭 The recent Telstra outage prompts the question: Should Labor nationalise critical infrastructure? 🏠 Victoria's housing story: why Labor governments need to get off the fence and just say they want house prices to come down 🗳️ The Victorian Election: With One Nation polling at 27%, and Liberal support collapsing, should Labor be worried? 👀 Plus: the watch (and read and listen) list. Top recommendations from Todd, Lissie, and Stephen. Mentioned in the Show: Socially Democratic: Feeney Files with Jessie McCrone LIVE! Friday July 24, 5:15pm The Jade 142-160 Flinders Street Adelaide, SA 5000 Purchase tickets: https://bit.ly/4w0M6AI Send a Woman to Washington! A full ride to the 2026 Dunn Street United States Engagement Mission. Applications close July 31. Apply here: https://bit.ly/4aRSO3l Graham Greene's Our Man in Havana: https://bit.ly/4ppNydk and The Quiet American: https://bit.ly/3RkWqEr The Fourth Estate: In Conversation with Barrie Cassidy Part 1: https://apple.co/4aZa2vM Part 2: https://apple.co/4bragMe Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Socially Democratic goes live at the New South Wales Labor State Conference Fringe for a special episode recorded in front of a live audience at Sydney Town Hall. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by regular guest and Unions NSW Director of Campaigns and Strategy Todd Pinkerton, Federal Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes, and ALP National Assistant Secretary Rosie Ryan. They cover: 🏛️ What makes the NSW Labor Conference unlike any other political event in Australia 🗳️ How the McKell Model keeps Labor's three pillars (rank and file, parliamentary party, and unions) working together ⚖️ Managing dissent and coming out united: why Labor has kept the show together for 150 years 🎤 Chris Minns' keynote: jobs, manufacturing, multiculturalism, and what it signals for 2026 📊 One Nation: what's driving the surge and how Labor speaks to voters who feel left behind 🎉 Plus special categories and conference trivia! Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #CurrentAffairs #NSWLaborConference #NSWLabor #ChrisMinns #NSWElection2026 #OneNation #PaulineHanson #AlisonByrnes #RosieRyan #ToddPinkerton #McKellModel #TradeUnions #UnionsNSW #Elections #Campaigns #Strategy #Manufacturing #Multiculturalism #Liberals #Coalition Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Apologies to our listeners for the technical difficulties this week. Socially Democratic heads to Victorian Trades Hall for a special episode with two of the most important figures in the Victorian trade union movement. Luke Hilakari, Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council, and Wil Stracke, Assistant Secretary, join host Stephen Donnelly to talk organising, digital campaigning, the rise of One Nation, and what happens to working people when AI reshapes the economy. This is a rare inside look at how Trades Hall went from a place that passed resolutions to one of the most sophisticated campaigning operations in the country. Plus: 🏛️ How Luke and Wil rebuilt Trades Hall from the ground up, and the internal resistance they had to overcome 📱 Wil's accidental TikTok and Instagram career, started by a single tweet about Grace Tame. 📋 The NDA campaign: how Trades Hall helped win world-leading legislation on non-disclosure agreements in sexual harassment cases 🤖 AI and the future of work: What happens when cognitive labour disappears? What are the implications for employee surveillance? 📊 What focus group findings from former Labor voters tell us about the rise of One Nation 💪 How community organising and solidarity are the real antidote to the far right Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

This episode of Socially Democratic covers a massive month in Australian politics: One Nation's rise, Pauline at the National Press Club, and a Victorian Labor leadership non-challenge that fizzled before it started. David Feeney is back on the Feeney Files with Jessie McCrone and host Stephen Donnelly. They cover: 💰 $4 million in 48 hours? One Nation's digital fundraising machine and what it signals. 🎤 Pauline at the Press Club: What she got right, what she got wrong, and the GetUp stunt. 🏛️ The Victorian leadership non-challenge: Why it fizzled and what it means for November. 📣 Luke Hilakari's email: poor form or exactly what needed to be said? 🎯 Stephen's hot take: Victorian Labor currently looks like the Liberal Party. 📰 Plus all your nominations, unanswerable questions, Social Democrat of the Month, and who won the month Don't miss this ep. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: Send a Woman to Washington Application: https://www.dunnstreet.com.au/usem-application Socially Democratic: Feeney Files with Jessie McCrone LIVE! Friday July 24, 5:15pm The Jade 142-160 Flinders Street Adelaide, SA 5000 Purchase tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/socially-democratic-feeney-files-with-jessie-mccrone-live-at-the-jade-tickets-1992186741171 Socially Democratic LIVE! at the NSW Labor State Conference Saturday July 5th at 4pm Sydney Town Hall Register as an observer: https://www.nswlabor.org.au/register_interest_conference26 #AustralianPoliticsPodcast #AusPol #AustralianPolitics #LaborParty #ALP #AustralianLabor #ProgressivePolitics #SocialDemocracy #Podcast #CurrentAffairs #Elections #Campaigns #Strategy #OneNation #PaulineHanson #VictorianLabor #JacintaAllen #VictorianElection #DavidFeeney #JessieMcCrone #LukeHilakari #AndyBurnham #Makerfield #GetUp #NationalPressClub #FeeneyFiles #ToryWithATypewriter #UnanswerableQuestions #WhoWonTheMonth #FeeneysFilibuster #Greens #Liberals #Coalition #Insiders #SocialDemocrat Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

Host Stephen Donnelly sits down with NSW ALP General Secretary Dom Ofner ahead of the NSW Labor Conference, July 4–5 at Sydney Town Hall. They cover: 🏛️ Why the NSW Conference is unlike any other political event in Australia, and why it has to be at Town Hall 📜 The McKell Model: how NSW Labor keeps government and party in balance 🎯 Safe seats aren't safe anymore. Rethinking the target seat strategy in five-party politics 🤖 NSW's nation-leading reforms on AI-generated campaign content 📅 What this conference sets up as the last one before March 2027 Plus: Socially Democratic is LIVE at the Conference Fringe on Saturday July 5th at 4pm Sydney Town Hall! First in, best dressed. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. #Australianpolitics, #progressivepolitics, #AustralianLabor, #SocialDemocracy, #AusPol, #LaborParty, #Podcast, #ALP, #Campaigns, #Elections, #Strategy, #Insiders, #Liberals, #Coalition, #ExpertGuests, #Housing, #Infrastructure, #Policy, #Inclusion, #Employment, #NSWLabor, #NSWConference, #StateConference, #DomOfner, #NSWPolitics, #OneNation, #ChrisMinns, #NSWElection, #SydneyTownHall, #LaborConference, #ALPConference, #CampaignStrategy, #AIElections Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

This episode of Socially Democratic is the June Mailbag. Todd Pinkerton and Lissie Ratcliff answer your questions on AI, the budget, progressive media, and the future of cheap beer. 🤖 Is Labor seriously game-planning for an AI-driven jobs crisis? 🏠 A month on from the budget, has it landed with people, and why is One Nation still rising? 📱 Does Labor need its own media ecosystem, or do we already have one? 📺 Why authentic, unpolished content beats polished TV ads every time, and why we still can't let go 📖 The watch list: Tony Blair's big essay, anger and social media, and FIFA's relationship with Trump 🍺 Should the Labor movement just buy a brewery? DON’T MISS Socially Democratic LIVE at the New South Wales Labor Conference: July 4, 4pm Sydney Town Hall ( https://www.nswlabor.org.au/register_interest_conference26) MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: Tony Blair’s Essay ( https://tr.ee/fK8o71 ) ‘Angertainment’ by Ed Coper ( https://tr.ee/DxQSu2 ) A Yearslong Effort to Woo Trump Culminates With the World Cup - NYT ( https://tr.ee/nUx2oq ) Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

In this episode of Socially Democratic, your Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast, host Stephen Donnelly is joined by senior Democratic consultant and former Obama field organiser Katie Parsons for a deep dive into the state of the Democratic Party. The DNC finally released its post-mortem of the 2024 Harris presidential campaign. It was, to put it diplomatically, not great. Neither the campaign, nor the post-mortem. So what do we actually know about what went wrong, and is the party any closer to having answers? With the US midterms six months away and the 2028 presidential primary already taking shape, Katie and Stephen unpack it all: 📋 The DNC post campaign report: why it was delayed, why it disappointed, and what the better independent reviews actually found 🏛️ The Harris campaign's core problem: good tactics, no story 📺 Why Democrats need to win the culture, master YouTube, and seriously reckon with AI 🗺️ Redistricting and gerrymandering: how Republicans are gaming the map ahead of November 🏠 The House and Senate: where Democrats can win and what the pathway to 51 looks like 🎯 The 2028 presidential field: a tier-by-tier breakdown of who's running, who's circling, and who's dreaming ⭐ From Gavin Newsom to Gretchen Whitmer, AOC to Andy Beshear: who Katie thinks can actually win 🇺🇸 If you love US politics, this episode is for you. 🇺🇸 Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

This episode of Socially Democratic covers the May federal budget: the politics, the comms, and what it means for Labor heading into the next Victorian election. David Feeney is away, so Stephen Donnelly and Jessie McCrone are joined this month by Lissie Ratcliff, former Andrews Chief of Staff and regular Mailbag guest, for a cracking Feeney Files sans Feeney. They cover: 🏠 Whether the budget's political reception actually matters, and why it's a three-budget plan. 📱 The influencer lockup strategy: right call, mixed execution. 🏛️ NSW Labor's budget pushback: tactical positioning or unhelpful noise? 💧The pros and cons of a formal party structure, and the push to consolidate successful Independents. 📰 Plus all the nominations you know and love. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

This episode of Socially Democratic discusses the UK local, Scottish, and Welsh election results, and what Labour's historic collapse means for social democracy. Reform UK surged across England, Scotland, and Wales. Labour lost its 115-year dominance in Wales. And inside the Parliamentary Labour Party, calls for Keir Starmer to stand down are growing louder. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by two insiders who know British Labour politics intimately: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 John McTernan, former senior advisor to Tony Blair and Former Director of Communications for Julia Gillard. 🇦🇺 David Feeney, former federal MP and State Labor Campaign Director. Together they unpack: 🗳️ Why Labour still can't break through in Scotland, and what Reform's debut at Holyrood signals 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 What 115 years of Labour dominance in Wales falling apart actually means 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 How five-party politics and first-past-the-post are accelerating Labour's fragmentation in England 🔥 The rise of Nigel Farage — political genius or far-right accelerant? 🪑 The Labour leadership race — Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and who John thinks wins 💬 What social democratic governments must do when the ground shifts beneath them Don't miss this ep. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

This episode of Socially Democratic discusses the 2026 Federal Budget — Jim Chalmers' most ambitious yet — with Emma Dawson, Executive Director of the Chifley Research Centre, and economist Adam Triggs, Partner at Mandala. Is this really the most significant tax reform package in a quarter of a century? Stephen, Emma, and Adam think so. Here's why. 💰 Negative gearing reform and capital gains tax — what's actually changing, who it targets, and why the grandfathering provisions matter more than the headlines suggest 🏡 Housing affordability — how the modelling behind 75,000 new homeowners works, and what the reforms could realistically do to property prices over time 🔁 Trust taxation — the quiet giant of this budget. Why changes to trusts are actually bigger than the CGT and negative gearing reforms combined 📈 Productivity and economic reform — is there enough in this budget for Australia's long-term economic challenges, or are the critics right that Chalmers left too much on the table? 🤝 Winners and losers — young people, aged care, First Nations communities, and the NDIS. Emma and Adam cut through the spin on who this federal budget really serves 🗳️ The political fallout — how will the Coalition, the Greens, and One Nation respond to a Labor budget that just pulled the rug out from under all of them? Don't miss this ep. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au

In this topical, fully-loaded episode of Socially Democratic , Stephen, Todd, and Lissie convene to answer our most pressing Mailbag questions - and add a few thoughts of their own. Our listeners asked: 🏡 If the Treasury scraps or reduces negative gearing and capital gains tax benefits in the next federal budget - will it actually help younger generations? 🤑In focusing almost exclusively on concrete gains like worker protections and cost-of-living relief, is the ALP missing an opportunity to speak to the broader disaffection of Australian workers with an economy that appears to be leaving them behind? 🕵️How exactly does the Labor Party recruit candidates in pre-selection? Stephen shares a few anecdotes from his time as a party official. 💡Where do Lissie, Stephen, and Todd stand on Future Made in Australia? Is the program aimed at making Australia a global energy superpower - or is it simply about energy sovereignty? 🗳️Plus, the Nepean and Farrer by-elections, Liberal’s disastrous One-Nation preferences, and a new segment: The Watchlist - our culture picks of the month. Don’t miss this ep. Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday. Mentioned in the show: 👉 The Rest is History Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/britain-in-the-70s-the-rise-of-thatcher-part-1/id1537788786?i=1000761089927 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2yFqDJovxWNpfSKsaMd0NM?si=ptghMRssRQ6BJRWVoXM6sQ 👉 Pike River https://youtu.be/1YOnuqAzTj4?si=UDoj7S5IWm1pF_TN 👉 Tucker Carlson https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV6ear0jdy9/?igsh=MXRrOXl5eWl1MDFoNg== Support the show Socially Democratic is an opinion-based political and campaign podcast that facilitates discussion on a range of topical issues. The opinions of guests are not an endorsement and do not necessarily reflect the views of the staff at Dunn Street and Socially Democratic. Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/SociallyDemocratic If you like the show, rate and review us on your favourite podcast app. Follow Us on Socials: Facebook ( https://tr.ee/9jGIOy ) Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/sociallydemocratic ) LinkedIn ( https://tr.ee/YxyYJh ) X ( https://x.com/SocialDemPod ) YouTube ( https://www.youtube.com/@DunnStreet ) The presenting sponsor of the Socially Democratic podcast is Dunn Street. For more information on how Dunn Street can help you organise to build winning campaigns in your community, business or organisation, and make the world a better place, look us up at: dunnstreet.com.au