Political skills are the skills to build trust, influence, and persuade others to support a decision within a political context. These abilities underpin effective political leadership, advocacy, and decision-making, yet they are often invisible and difficult to define.

This is especially true for people from minority backgrounds who may not be as familiar with Australian cultural and political norms. As the Executive Director of Per Capita, one of Australia’s leading progressive think tanks, Dr Wesa Chau brings both academic depth and lived experience to this topic.

She spoke at the October John Cain Lunch and her speech is now available on the JCL Series podcast.

Visit percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Power is the only measure of a politician that matters. How they win power. How they wield power. How they lose power. This new edition of an Australian classic features a new introduction by the author taking into account the latest developments in Australian politics.

Catch and Kill is an inside account of the beguiling and nomadic nature of that unholy trinity of politics. Taking us into the inner sanctum of state and national politics, Joel Deane investigates how four friends – Steve Bracks, John Brumby, John Thwaites and Rob Hulls – beat the factions, won office in Victoria, achieved progressive reforms, then tried to hijack Canberra. 'We were', Bracks says, 'a government that could catch and kill its own'.

Deane joined Per Capita for their September John Cain Lunch to discuss his book. 

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Recorded 17 September 2025. Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Recorded 20 August 2025. Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

The Federal Government recently announced a Productivity Roundtable, indicating that broad tax reform will be part of the discussion to tackle the economic pressures our country faces today, to boost national prosperity, to reduce growing inequality and to improve living standards for future generations.

Following the popularity of her keynote speech at the Community Tax Summit in February 2025, Professor Miranda Stewart provided a follow-up address at the July JCL, outlining how Australia's tax system came to be how it is today, the reasons it needs reform and what that reform should look like, in light of the recently announced Productivity Roundtable.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Recorded 16 July 2025.

Unions are making a comeback. Labour disputes around the world have hit the headlines as unions take action to challenge inequality. But while media coverage has increased, understanding of unions has not.

Liam Byrne seeks to illuminate what unionism means, exploring why successive generations of working people organised unions and nurtured them for future generations.

Liam spoke at Per Capita's John Cain lunch in June 2025.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

On this episode, acting Executive Director, Sarah McKenzie is joined by the Executive Director of the Chifley Research Centre, Emma Dawson, to chat about how the upcoming federal parliament will be the first gender-equal parliament in Australian history. 

Read Sarah’s blog on this historical achievement: “A Question of Quotas”

If you’re a young policy student or professional looking to network or learn more about passing progressive policies, then check out our Policy Hive.

For more on our research and advocacy, visit the Per Capita website.

Is big policy reform still possible? Does Australia have the political will to tackle generational issues such as climate change, the housing crisis, rising inequality and Closing the Gap?

Legendary Labor policymaker Jenny Macklin believes that if Australia wants to remain prosperous and fair, big policy reform is not just possible, it's essential. 

Listen to our May John Cain Lunch, with Labor’s Jenny Macklin and co-author Joel Deane.

Purchase "Making Progress: How good policy happens?" here.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

Gippsland has proudly powered Victoria for generations. Now it’s forging a new energy future, powered by abundant resources of offshore wind and community spirit. Senator Jess Walsh details her experience with Gippsland’s community driven energy shift, the critical role of government in making it happen, and how to cut through the nuclear noise to focus on real, sustainable solutions.

Jess spoke at Per Capita's monthly John Cain Lunch in April 2025.

Help support our work and be part of change. Donate to Per Capita: https://percapita.org.au/donate/

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

An inside look at effective policy making, realised through hard-won public policy battles. What does successful public policy look like, and how has it been achieved in Australia?

John Brumby and Stuart Kells, co-authors of "In A Better Australia" joined Per Capita for their March John Cain Lunch.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

In the latest episode of Re:CAP, Emma Dawson is joined by professor Miranda Stewart to unpack her keynote address from the Community Tax Summit, as well as discuss some of the other takeaways from the summit. 

Join our new early career policy network for policy professionals, students and anyone interested in learning more about how they can influence policy and politics to build an Australia based on fairness, shared prosperity and social justice - Per Capita's Policy Hive. 

For more on our research and advocacy, visit the Per Capita website.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.