In this topical, fully-loaded episode of Socially Democratic , Stephen, Todd, and Lissie convene to answer our most pressing Mailbag questions - and add a few thoughts of their own. 

Our listeners asked:

🏡 If the Treasury scraps or reduces negative gearing and capital gains tax benefits in the next federal budget - will it actually help younger generations? 

🤑In focusing almost exclusively on concrete gains like worker protections and cost-of-living relief, is the ALP missing an opportunity to speak to the broader disaffection of Australian workers with an economy that appears to be leaving them behind?

🕵️How exactly does the Labor Party recruit candidates in pre-selection? Stephen shares a few anecdotes from his time as a party official. 

💡Where do Lissie, Stephen, and Todd stand on Future Made in Australia? Is the program aimed at making Australia a global energy superpower - or is it simply about energy sovereignty?

🗳️Plus, the Nepean and Farrer by-elections, Liberal’s disastrous One-Nation preferences, and a new segment: The Watchlist - our culture picks of the month. 

Don’t miss this ep. 

Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday.

Mentioned in the show:

👉 The Rest is History

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/britain-in-the-70s-the-rise-of-thatcher-part-1/id1537788786?i=1000761089927

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2yFqDJovxWNpfSKsaMd0NM?si=ptghMRssRQ6BJRWVoXM6sQ

👉 Pike River

https://youtu.be/1YOnuqAzTj4?si=UDoj7S5IWm1pF_TN

👉 Tucker Carlson

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV6ear0jdy9/?igsh=MXRrOXl5eWl1MDFoNg==

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.

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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 

This episode of Socially Democratic brings Stephen, David, and Jessie back together to discuss Labor news and politics over the past month - and envision what’s to come.

They cover:

💰The May Federal Budget announcement: What sort of scenarios must be planned for with the ongoing fuel crisis? Which potential cost-of-living reforms are likely to unfold, and how should the government communicate those decisions to the Australian public?

⚖️ The High Court Decision on Election Donations: How this decision to strike down Victoria’s donation cap laws has national implications, and how this might open the door for a “billionaire’s picnic” in election campaigns.

🗳️ The Looming By-Elections in Farrer and Nepean. Labor is not contesting either by-election, but should they still be concerned about the rise of grievance politics? And in Victoria, what are the implications of a Liberal Party preference deal with One Nation, and why would they make one so soon?

Plus, all the categories and nominations you know and love.

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:

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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 did the well-oiled machine that built the historic Obama campaign in 2008 fail so catastrophically in 2024?

--

This week on Socially Democratic, Stephen speaks with Josh Cook and Greta Carnes about their report ‘The Future of Democratic Organizing’.

Greta is a political campaigner and researcher, while Josh is an expert in digital strategy and engagement. Both are U.S.-based ‘Obama for America’ alums with over a decade of experience in national campaigns.

We ask:

🤝 What is “relational organising” and why is it so critical now?

📐 How do we measure impact in a way that truly aligns with strategy, and what’s the harm in being too metrics-focused?

🦖 How did the Democrats unwittingly work against innovation in their campaigns?

🤖 How does digital organising interact with traditional field work and why do some campaign leaders still resist it?

--

This is a vital and fascinating conversation for both organisers and anyone who relies on the impact of organising. Tune in to hear more.

Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday.

Mentioned in the Show

https://docsend.com/view/hu7n3im4fwgepuxe?utm_campaign=the-organizing-model-that-failed-the-democrats&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=www.chaoticera.news

Relentless
https://www.relentless.vote/

Good Influence
https://www.beagoodinfluence.com/

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:

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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 

This week on Socially Democratic, Stephen speaks with John Armitage, one of the most respected social researchers and communication strategists on the Australian left.

As recent polls have shown, the political landscape in Australia is rapidly shifting. So what's next? Where to now for the Labor Party, the Liberal Party and One Nation?

They cover:

🔴 How should State Labor and the ALP position themselves if they want to continue being seen as the natural party of government?

🔵 What will become of the Liberal Party? Who are they today, and why have they so badly failed to address voter concerns?

🟠 What drives Australians to One Nation? Of all the minor and fringe political parties to choose from, why them?

🎯 The need for a bold policy change to address economic unfairness and appeal to drifting voters.

🎭 Recommendations for state and federal Labor on developing a clear message of contrast to One Nation - as well as exposing the hypocrisy of their "ordinary person" narrative.

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:

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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 

Todd Pinkerton, Campaign Director for Unions NSW, and Lissie Ratcliff, Managing Partner at FMRS Advisory and fmr Chief of Staff to Premier Daniel Andrews, are back this month to answer your burning mailbag questions.

This episode of Socially Democratic discusses:

📺Prime Minister Albanese’s National Address. What did he do right, and how could he have used that time to bring the nation together in a time of crisis?

⛽Despite the ceasefire, the war in Iran and the resulting fuel crisis aren’t going away any time soon. How are states responding to ease the shock for their constituents? And how can the federal government improve their communication with the public?

⚓The Royal Australian Navy in the Strait of Hormuz? What is Opposition Leader Angus Taylor on about? Plus, how our relationship with the United States and the global order is changing - and why it’s so important that we steer our own ship (pun intended).

⏰Now is the Time! Lissie, Todd, and Stephen discuss why the field is now wide open for the ALP to get serious about tax reform.

This and more listener questions. Listen in to hear them all.

Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday.

#ChiefofStaff #COS #DanAndrews #UnionsNSW #ToddPinkerton #LissieRatcliff #Experts #Insiders #Unions #Workers #Government #Wages #Rights #Conditions #Messaging #GovernmentRelations #CampaignDirector #FuelCrisis #WarinIran #NationalAddress #CostofLiving #StraitofHormuz #RoyalAustralianNavy #GasExports #TaxReform

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:

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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 

Happy long weekend, Social Democrats!

In this episode of Socially Democratic, Stephen sits down with economist Adam Triggs, a Partner at Mandala and Non-Resident Fellow at The Brookings Institution and ANU.

They discuss the issues that are top-of-mind for many Australians, including:

⛽The Fuel Crisis - How does the war in Iran impact things like GDP, inflation, and unemployment? What can we do to reduce the demand for oil in Australia?

😫Inflation - Why the Reserve Bank of Australia should not be the first port of call for keeping inflation under control, and how Albanese’s Federal Government can exert downward pressure without triggering a recession.

🐹Productivity - Australia has a problem with low productivity, but what does that mean? Adam shares insights from his time at Jim Chalmers’s Economic Reform Roundtable (i.e. the productivity roundtable).

🔥Tax Reform - Chalmers sought to create a “burning platform” around tax reform, and despite the spectre of elections past 👻, he might now be closer than ever.

💰Regulatory Reform - How small changes in some simple places (like medications and EVs) could make a big difference for working families.

Tune in to find out.

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:

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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 

This week on Australia's favourite Labor politics and campaigns podcast:

🎉 Congratulations to Premier Peter Malinauskas, the entire SA Labor campaign, and the people of South Australia!

🧩 Matt, Hannah, and Stephen analyse the party's historic win, seat by seat.

📈 Plus, we look at the benefits of winning with such a large margin, particularly with regard to campaign funding and the "freedom to lead".

⚠️ But - One Nation has a strong showing, even winning a seat in the lower house. How can Labor ensure they don't gain more ground?

📉 The Liberal Vote sees large negative swings across the state. How will they respond?

Socially Democratic is a Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests and 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:

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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 this episode of Socially Democratic:

📊 Another landslide Labor victory in South Australia for Peter Malinauskas. What can the rest of us learn from it?

🗞️ Rumours of a leadership challenge in Victoria. The news in Victoria is rife with speculation on the future of the Allan government. Jessie, David, and Stephen break it down.

⚠️ The fragmentation on the right and the rise of One Nation is not a one-off. What can Victorian Labor do to shore up their base in the 2026 election?

🔥 Plus, a robust debate on the Kos Samaras article: The Death of the Brahmin Left. Did he get the diagnosis right?

And much more from David Feeney and Jessie McCrone. 

Socially Democratic is a Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests and 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)
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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 time for the annual Socially Democratic mic handover! 

This episode features the return of our favourite stand-in host, Rebecca Thistleton (Executive Director Victoria, The McKell Institute) along with special guests Melissa Donnelly (National Secretary of the Community and Public Sector Union), and Benita Kolovos (Victorian State Correspondent, Guardian Australia). 

Together they unpack:

📢  The highs and lows of this year's International Women’s Day: a day which advances meaningful conversation, but also traffics in empty symbolism.

🏛️ How the Federal Government and the Opposition are approaching women’s policy, and why structural challenges don’t get solved overnight.

🧠 This Victorian State election, all the major party leaders are women. What will it mean for campaign commitments and messaging?

👶 Plus, "just have more babies", the minefield of social media, and the year's best policy reforms.

Socially Democratic is a Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests and 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:

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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 this episode of Socially Democratic:

📉 Are the Liberals about to finish THIRD? They remain stuck below 20% primary vote, with One Nation moving into second place.

📊 New polling shows Labor holding a commanding lead, but are the figures even underselling it?

🧨 Ashton Hurn stumbles on a net zero question in the Leaders debate. But does this matter to voters?

🗳️ Plus, we break down the key seats to watch on election night.

Socially Democratic is a Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests and new episodes every Friday.

Mentioned in the show:

Complete Our LISTENER SURVEY:
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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)
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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