What does it take to win a federal election from Opposition?
On Afternoon Light #185 Georgina Downer speaks with Andrew Kemp and Zachary Gorman to discuss Robert Menzies’s watershed 1949 election victory. Drawing out its enduring impact on modern Australia, as well as the lessons it offers political campaigners in 2025.
Andrew Kemp is a Melbourne-based writer and a former economist at the Commonwealth Treasury and the Department of Treasury and Finance in Victoria. He conducted extensive research into the early Liberal Party’s fundraising and campaigning techniques, as part of a chapter he wrote for <a href='https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/book/unity-in-autonomy-a-federal-history-of-the-founding-of-the-liberal-party/'>Unity in Autonomy</a>.
The innovative radio advertisements of 'John Henry Austral' can be found <a href='https://digitised-collections.unimelb.edu.au/collections/d341fde9-8fa3-5a85-b254-9b749714f17c?spc.sf=melbourne.archives.referenceid&spc.sd=ASC'>here</a>.

What does it take to win a federal election from Opposition? On Afternoon Light #185 Georgina Downer speaks with Andrew Kemp and Zachary Gorman to discuss Robert Menzies’s watershed 1949 election victory. Drawing out its enduring impact on modern Australia, as well as the lessons it offers political campaigners in 2025. Andrew Kemp is a Melbourne-based writer and a former economist at the Commonwealth Treasury and the Department of Treasury and Finance in Victoria. He conducted extensive research into the early Liberal Party’s fundraising and campaigning techniques, as part of a chapter he wrote for Unity in Autonomy. The innovative radio advertisements of 'John Henry Austral' can be found here.

What does it take to win a federal election from Opposition?
On Afternoon Light #185 Georgina Downer speaks with Andrew Kemp and Zachary Gorman to discuss Robert Menzies’s watershed 1949 election victory. Drawing out its enduring impact on modern Australia, as well as the lessons it offers political campaigners in 2025.
Andrew Kemp is a Melbourne-based writer and a former economist at the Commonwealth Treasury and the Department of Treasury and Finance in Victoria. He conducted extensive research into the early Liberal Party’s fundraising and campaigning techniques, as part of a chapter he wrote for <a href="https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/book/unity-in-autonomy-a-federal-history-of-the-founding-of-the-liberal-party/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Unity in Autonomy</a>.
The innovative radio advertisements of 'John Henry Austral' can be found <a href="https://digitised-collections.unimelb.edu.au/collections/d341fde9-8fa3-5a85-b254-9b749714f17c?spc.sf=melbourne.archives.referenceid&amp;spc.sd=ASC" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

Andrew Kemp & Zachary Gorman on the 1949 Election: "There was an optimism, a confidence, about the Liberal pitch"

Welcome to the Afternoon Light Podcast, a captivating journey into the heart of Australia’s political history and enduring values. Presented by the Robert Menzies Institute, a prime ministerial library and museum, this podcast illuminates the remarkable legacy of Sir Robert Menzies, Australia’s longest-serving prime minister.

Dive into the rich tapestry of Menzies’s contemporary impact as we explore his profound contributions on the Afternoon Light Podcast. Join us as we delve into his unyielding commitment to equality, boundless opportunity, and unwavering entrepreneurial spirit. Our engaging discussions bring to life the relevance of Menzies’s values in today’s world, inspiring us to uphold his principles for a brighter future.

Ready to embark on this enlightening journey? Experience the Afternoon Light Podcast now! Tune in to explore the past, engage with the present, and shape a better tomorrow by learning from the visionary leadership of Sir Robert Menzies.

Stay connected by signing up on the Robert Menzies Institute website: https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/. Have an opinion? Email your comments to: info@robertmenziesinstitute.org.au.

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Welcome to the Afternoon Light Podcast, a captivating journey into the heart of Australia’s political history and enduring values. Presented by the Robert Menzies Institute, a prime ministerial library and museum, this podcast illuminates the remarkable legacy of Sir Robert Menzies, Australia’s longest-serving prime minister. Dive into the rich tapestry of Menzies’s contemporary impact as we explore his profound contributions on the Afternoon Light Podcast. Join us as we delve into his unyielding commitment to equality, boundless opportunity, and unwavering entrepreneurial spirit. Our engaging discussions bring to life the relevance of Menzies’s values in today’s world, inspiring us to uphold his principles for a brighter future. Ready to embark on this enlightening journey? Experience the Afternoon Light Podcast now! Tune in to explore the past, engage with the present, and shape a better tomorrow by learning from the visionary leadership of Sir Robert Menzies. Stay connected by signing up on the Robert Menzies Institute website: https://www.robertmenziesinstitute.org.au/. Have an opinion? Email your comments to: info@robertmenziesinstitute.org.au.

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Andrew Kemp & Zachary Gorman on the 1949 Election: "There was an optimism, a confidence, about the Liberal pitch"

Andrew Kemp & Zachary Gorman on the 1949 Election: "There was an optimism, a confidence, about the Liberal pitch"

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