On August 31st, March for Australia spilled across the streets and into the headlines. 

But who organised it? And if not the neo-Nazis of Australia’s far-right National Socialist Network (NSN), then why did their notorious leader Thomas Sewell take the main stage in Melbourne?

Victorian State Correspondent Benita Kolovos sits down with Stephen to explore:

📣 the complexities behind the rally’s messaging, 

🔍 myths and lies about immigration,

❌ and the attack on Camp Sovereign. 

Plus, get the backstory on Victoria’s historic Treaty Bill, Dan Andrews’s visit to China, and the housing plans that have sent some inner Melbourne residents into a frenzy.

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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)
Twitter (https://x.com/SocialDemPod)
Bluesky (https://tr.ee/EqdapC)
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

When Sarah Witty de-throned Adam Bandt as the Member for Melbourne, it came as a surprise to many - none more than Adam Bandt.

“He wouldn’t have been surprised if he was out talking to people like I was,” said Sarah. “There was a definite swing.”

The newly-minted Melbourne MP joins Socially Democratic to talk about the core values that guided her - even when she didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up. 

She shares her journey through corporate life, foster parenting, the community sector, and finally, the halls of Parliament. 

This is part one of our special series on the ALP Class of 2025. Let us know who you want to hear from next.

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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)
Twitter (https://x.com/SocialDemPod)
Bluesky (https://tr.ee/EqdapC)
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 June, Keir Starmer’s Labour government proposed significant cuts to disability benefits for the UK's most vulnerable citizens. 

🟢 With his party holding a clear majority in Parliament,  there should have been no issue getting it done.

💥 But in a surprise move, 126 Labour backbenchers rebelled - refusing to vote for the cuts,  which had no basis in any real vision beyond saving money, or a bald “cash grab” as Starmer’s detractors put it.

☝️ This was just one of many high profile gaffes for the troubled government, which has now been surpassed in the polls by Nigel Farage’s right-wing nationalist Reform Party.

❓❓So what went wrong, and can Labour recover before it’s too late?

John McTernan, Former communications director for Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Julia Gillard, sits down with Stephen Donnelly to spill the tea.

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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)
Twitter (https://x.com/SocialDemPod)
Bluesky (https://tr.ee/EqdapC)
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

Welcome back to Socially Democratic!

This week, we’ve got planes, trains, and ornery Teals.

The Transport Workers’ Union wins a landmark case against Qantas. Where to from here?

The Economic Reform Roundtable took place in Canberra last week. Journalists tried to spice it up with a Chalmers vs. Albo angle, but we think construction codes are more exciting!

The Albanese Government moves to recognise the State of Palestine. Where do the Australian people stand?

This, plus Jessie’s comms breakdown examines the latest hit piece on Deputy PM Richard Marles, and David’s filibuster unpacks the Victorian Liberal party squabbles.

#auspol #labor #progressivepolitics #campaign #podcast #politics #expertguests #SRL #Greens #PartyRoom #StateofPalestine #Albanese #government #EconomicReformRoundtable #Chalmers #Teals #Greens #ALP #Liberals #TWY #TransportWorkersUnion #Qantas #ruling #listenerquestions

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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)
Twitter (https://x.com/SocialDemPod)
Bluesky (https://tr.ee/EqdapC)
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

🤔 How much do you really know about Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan ?

She joins us in the Socially Democratic office for a special episode with Stephen Donnelly.

📺 You can also watch the full interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/gm-AP9OcHUw

While “some” people have their knickers in a twist over her government’s Work From Home announcement, and the Suburban Rail Loop remains hotly contested, at least by one newspaper - 

🔥Jacinta Allan is un-phased by the critics. 

She takes us through her personal story, the values that ground her, and the bold, pragmatic vision she has for the Education State.

What did you think of the episode? Let us know in the comments.

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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)
Twitter (https://x.com/SocialDemPod)
Bluesky (https://tr.ee/EqdapC)
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

Dive into the latest episode of Socially Democratic as Stephen Donnelly and Chicago-based Democratic strategist Katie Parsons unpack the whirlwind first six months of the Trump administration. ​ 

From record-breaking executive orders to controversial immigration policies, the duo explores the political landscape, the Democrats' response, and what’s next for the American left.

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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)
Twitter (https://x.com/SocialDemPod)
Bluesky (https://tr.ee/EqdapC)
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

📣Attention all shoppers - the Mailbag Episode is here! 📫

Our listeners have thoughts. Lots of thoughts. They wanted to hear more about:

🖊️Labor’s agenda. Will it be bold this term? Is now the time to act on tax reform?

♟️Without support of the crossbenches, how long with the Rockliff Tasmanian government last?

📹FriendlyJordies - why is he supposedly persona non grata with many in the Labor Party?

🇬🇧With cross-cultural tensions supposedly at a breaking point, is UK Labour on thin ice?

🧐And more!

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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)
Twitter (https://x.com/SocialDemPod)
Bluesky (https://tr.ee/EqdapC)
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

Federal Labor Minister Chris Bowen wants Australia to be on the frontlines of the fight against climate change.

And he’s in a hurry. 

Stephen Donnelly sits down with him for a fact-packed half-hour to discuss Australia’s most urgent energy challenges. 

They cover:

🇦🇺 COP31: Why he’s pushing to bring the world’s largest climate summit to Australia. 

🎯 Labor’s bold target of 82% renewables by 2030.

🌳 Advice for climate activists when working with the government.

🔥 Australia’s domestic gas market and why it needs a review.

🌬️ Offshore wind: The power, the potential, and the headwinds.

Listen in to get caught up on Australia’s climate ambitions. 

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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)
Twitter (https://x.com/SocialDemPod)
Bluesky (https://tr.ee/EqdapC)
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

It’s the end of the month and Feeney Files with Jessie McCrone is back.

We’ve got a lot to cover this month, including:

✈️ Albanese's trip to China. Did he bring enough treats back for all of us?

🟢 The Greens Party’s internal fracas.  What hill are they prepared to die on and why are they so bad at dissent?

🚄 The Age’s single-handed crusade against the Suburban Rail Loop. Why so mad?

🗳️ The Tasmanian election results. In keeping with the theme, Jessie and David just can’t agree on the best way forward.

And much more. Take a listen.

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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)
Twitter (https://x.com/SocialDemPod)
Bluesky (https://tr.ee/EqdapC)
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

“If not us, then who? And the answer is no one. So you kind of find the other gear that you didn't know you had and you just keep going no matter how hard it gets.”

This week, Stephen Donnelly sat down for an exclusive with Lissie Ratcliff, former Chief of Staff to Daniel Andrews, for her first-ever public interview. 

With 14 years of experience in Labor government and opposition, Lissie shares her candid reflections on political strategy and communication, crisis management, and what it feels like to lose. 

From the key foundation stones that took Victorian Labor from opposition to government in 2014, to the relentless grind of implementing Victoria’s Covid response (complete with 120 daily press conferences in a row), Lissie takes us behind the scenes of the three-peat election winning Andrews government in its most crucial moments.

You may never have heard the name Lissie Ratcliff, but after this episode, you won’t forget it. 

Mentioned in the episode:

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson https://tr.ee/fgjAt9

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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)
Twitter (https://x.com/SocialDemPod)
Bluesky (https://tr.ee/EqdapC)
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