Socially Democratic

By Stephen DonnellyNews News Commentary Politics

Socially Democratic episodes

October 16 Ep. 374: October Mailbag: The Nationals vs One Nation, Minority Governments, and Leadership Transitions with Lissie Ratcliff and Michael Gunner | Australia’s Labor Podcast
Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic is back with the October Mailbag, and with the Victorian state election just weeks away, this one’s a cracker.
Former Chief Minister of the Northern Territory and two-time election-winning Labor leader Michael Gunner joins the ever-reliable Lissie Ratcliff and host Stephen Donnelly to answer your questions.
Three big threads this month: the Nationals and whether they have any idea how to fight One Nation on their own turf. How to hand over power in a Westminster system without handing your party a disaster. And whether minority governments are really as bad as Australian political culture insists they are.
--
Minderoo is the home of THRIVE BY FIVE, a movement built on the power of families and community in Australia’s early years. Find out more at
https://www.thrivebyfive.org.au/ or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.
--
Mentioned in the Show:
Andy Burnham’s Labor Conference speech
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyjTT_55Gi0
The Beartown trilogy by Fredrik Backman:
https://www.readings.com.au/product/9781405930208/9781405930208
'No, labourism is not liberalism' by Liam Byrne:
https://byrnel.substack.com/p/no-labourism-is-not-liberalism
Music League app:
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/music-league/id1589815321
Kaitlyn Does Politics:
https://www.instagram.com/kaitlyndoespolitics/
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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 #OneNation #PaulineHanson #NationalParty #MattCanavan #MinorityGovernment #LeadershipTransition #AnthonyAlbanese #BenCarroll #JessWilson #MichaelGunner #LissieRatcliff #Mailbag #AndyBurnham #USMidterms #Greens #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

1 hr 22 min
October 08 Ep. 373: Socially Democratic: The Recount 1974 - Give Gough a Go
Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic continues 'The Recount', our month-by-month journey through every federal election since 1972.
On the 18th of May 1974, just 17 months after Labor's historic It's Time victory, Gough Whitlam was forced back to the polls. He hadn't chosen to go early. He'd been pushed by a Senate that refused to pass his legislation, a Country Party senator kept drunk on Townsville prawns, and a Queensland premier who moved faster than his own government.
Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Dr. Stephen Mills, journalist and former speechwriter in Bob Hawke's office, to examine what they call the 'almost forgotten' election.
They cover:
The Gair Affair: how Labor's attempt to create a casual Senate vacancy by offering Vince Gair the ambassadorship to Ireland collapsed into scandal.
The campaign itself: why Give Gough a Go was more about appealing to the base than winning the marginal seats Labor needed.
How a critical pivot at the start of week two got the Labor campaign back on track.
The joint sitting: the only one in Australian political history, and why it ultimately vindicated Labor's strategy.
And the unlikely connection between Gough Whitlam and Dame Edna.
Plus, nominations.
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

1 hr 27 min
October 01 Ep. 372: The Israeli Elections with Political Analyst Will Cubbison
Socially Democratic turns its attention to one of the most consequential elections in Israeli history.
On the 27th of October, Israel goes to the polls. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Will Cubbison, political consultant based in Israel and holder of a PhD in political science from George Washington University, to unpack the complexities of Israeli electoral politics ahead of what could be a historic vote.
We break down:
🗳️ How the Knesset works, and why Israel's fully closed list proportional system produces such volatile and fragmented results
🔵 The opposition bloc, the Democrats under Yair Golan, Eisenkot's Yashar, Bennett and Lapid's Together, and Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu, and whether they can get to 61 Knesset seats
🔴 The Netanyahu bloc, Likud, the ultra-Orthodox parties, and the far-right figures of Ben-Gavir and Smotrich whose behaviour has appalled the world
🕌 The Arab sector: Ra'am and the Joint List, and the crucial question of whether their votes can get the opposition over the line
⚖️ The fault lines shaping this election: October 7th and the war in Gaza, the hostages, the ultra-Orthodox draft exemption, and the cost of living
🔮 Will's prediction about the next round of Israel Elections.
Don't miss this episode.
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 #IsraeliElection #IsraelPolitics #Netanyahu #Knesset #Eisenkot #YairGolan #Lieberman #Bennett #Lapid #BenGavir #Smotrich #Likud #October7 #Hostages #UltraOrthodoxDraft #IsraeliOpposition #ArabSector #MiddleEast #WillCubbison #UNGA #TwoStateSolution
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

1 hr 17 min
September 24 Ep. 371: The Feeney (McCrone) Files with Lissie Ratcliff: The Andrews Legacy, Immigration, and One Nation's New Voters | Australia's Labor Podcast
Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic is back with the Feeney (McCrone) Files, with Lissie Ratcliff subbing in for David Feeney.
This month's episode covers three big threads: the media's campaign to blame the Andrews government for Victorian Labor's current polling slump, the Albanese government's immigration announcement and what it means for One Nation's vote, and what it means to be authentic in modern politics.
We cover:
🏛️ The Andrews legacy. Did eleven years of Labor government neglect the West and the North, or is the media rewriting history 67 days out from a state election?
📊 The data: Stephen's deep dive into primary vote movements across target and non-target seats, and what it tells us about campaign effect and the power of authenticity
🌏 Immigration: Tony Burke's big announcement, and why Pauline Hanson is caught between two incompatible voter bases
📰 Plus all the categories you know and love.
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

1 hr 7 min
September 17 Ep. 370: Socially Democratic: The Recount 1972 — It's Time
On the 2nd of December 1972, after 23 years of Coalition government, Gough Whitlam led Labor to victory with one of the most celebrated campaigns in Australian political history.
But how effective was it at the time?
And what does the story of that campaign reveal about how elections are actually won?
Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Dr Stephen Mills (journalist, former speechwriter in Bob Hawke's office, and author of multiple books on elections) for a deep dive into the 1972 federal election.
They cover the Labor split of the 1950s and how it haunted the party for a generation; how Whitlam untied the Gordian knot of state aid with a single elegant policy; the accidental election of Mick Young as National Secretary; the first ever use of focus groups in a federal election campaign; and the making of the iconic It's Time ad and jingle.
Plus several new awards and categories created just for The Recount. Don't miss it.
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

1 hr 55 min
September 11 Ep. 369: Secret Harbour, Labor's Longevity, and other Mailbag Questions with Lissie Ratcliff and Michael Gunner | Australia's Labor Podcast
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

1 hr 19 min
September 03 Ep. 368: Introducing The Recount: 21 Federal Elections, One Epic Campaign Journey with Dr Stephen Mills | Australia's Labor Podcast
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

48 min
August 27 Ep 367: Feeney Files with Jessie McCrone LIVE at Trades Hall | Australia's Labor Podcast
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

1 hr 28 min
August 20 Ep. 366: The Royal Commission on Antisemitism: What We're Learning with Lisa Mittelman | Australia's Labor Podcast
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

59 min
August 13 Ep. 365: Teacher Strikes, Gambling Reform, the Democratic Primaries and Other Mailbag Questions with Lissie Ratcliff | Australia's Labor Podcast
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

1 hr 15 min

About Socially Democratic

From the publisher's feed

Socially Democratic is your weekly centre-left politics and campaign podcast hosted by Stephen Donnelly, founder of Dunn Street - a campaign agency bringing change by organising from the ground up.…