Respected journalist and MORTAL ENEMY OF GERARD HENDERSON (not really), David Marr is a self-described "bourgeois do-gooder". He's written for Fairfax Media, The Monthly, The Saturday Paper and Guardian Australia, appeared on Q&A, The Drum and Insiders and is the author of multiple in-depth profiles for the Quarterly Essay.

In this first part of our conversation, David tells me about who Bill Shorten is, Labor and the unions, why Australia is so late to progress, drugs, conservatism and right-wing commentators. Hot dang!

A Very Canberra Comedy Festival Christmas

David's writing for Guardian Australia

David's writing for The Saturday Paper

David's Faction Man: Bill Shorten's Path To Power

Cause of the Week: Maternity Worldwide (maternityworldwide.org)