This Week:

Labor and the Liberals officially launch their campaigns.

Peter Dutton’s son Harry speaks for the average worker.

Shadow Minister for Education Sarah Henderson wants to gut Free TAFE.

And Jacinta Nampijinpa Price wants to Make Australia Great Again, but not like that. Obviously. 

Stephen Donnely, Jessie McCrone, and David Feeney have a lot to cover this week. 

They are joined by Victorian State Correspondent for Guardian Australia, Benita Kolovos, who gives a journo’s-eye-view of life on the campaign trail. 

Plus your listener nominations!

Mentioned in the episode:

Socially Democratic’s Solidarity Online Phone Banking Registration: https://thisislabor.org/get-involved/attend-an-event/socially-democratic-online-phone-bank/

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 

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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 week: 

Dutton executes a 10/10 backflip, while Albanese merely tumbles. Who will take home the gold?

Stephen Donnelly is joined again by former Senator and former ALP campaign director, David Feeney, and former Deputy Chief of Staff to Daniel Andrews, Jessie McCrone.

They cover the polite and somewhat snoozy first debate,
and the rise and fall of the Liberal party’s disastrous attempt to force public servants back into the office. 

Then, they speak to campaign expert and Director of Qdos research, John Armitage, about messaging from both major parties. 

Plus, your questions and nominations!

Mentioned in the show:

https://thisislabor.org/get-involved/attend-an-event/socially-democratic-online-phone-bank/

https://www.alp.org.au/

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Episode Start
02:53 Guest Introduction
04:41 The Debate
20:32 Dutton’s Backflip
25:43 John Armitage
45:52: This Week’s Awards

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

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

Election Countdown 2025 is on!

Stephen Donnelly is joined by former Senator and former ALP campaign director, David Feeney, and former ALP national organiser and Deputy Chief of Staff to Daniel Andrews, Jessie McCrone.

They unpack the first week of the campaign, answering questions like:

Key battleground seats to watch?

How will Trump’s assault on our trade agreements influence the campaign?

Do leader debates really matter?

Which Tory got their hands on a typewriter this week?

If you’re looking for your politics fix, we’ve got you covered.

New episodes every Friday.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Episode Start
01:49 Guest Introduction
04:08 Campaign Kickoff
22:15 Campaign Narrative
35:10 The Debate Forecast
50:20: This Week’s Awards

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 

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

“You have an autocrat president next door who is threatening annexation of your country. And it’s not a joke anymore..”

In December of 2024, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned with an approval rating of just 22%. 

His centre-left Canadian Liberal Party had been in government for the last ten years - through COVID-19, the cost of living crisis, housing shortages, and party in-fighting. 

Canada was ready for a change.

And yet, with the federal election mere weeks away, Liberals are once again the popular favourite. Why?

Jack Milroy, a veteran political consultant and Canadian-Australian dual-citizen, gets Stephen Donnelly and our listeners up to date.

Follow Jack Milroy on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/j-stor.bsky.social

and at Progressive Breakdown on substack: https://progressivebreakdown.substack.com/

Mentioned:

Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson

CHAPTERS:

00:00: Episode Start
02:08 Jack Milroy Introduction
03:56: Canadian Party Politics 101
19:11: Canadian Liberal Party Leader Selection
27:20: Mark Carney
34:24: The Threat from Below
47:06: Abundance Mindset
52:52: Campaigning in Canada

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 

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

The federal election is on!

And we don’t want to jinx it, but Labor is looking up in the polls. 

Is the spotlight on Dutton and his recent slip ups impacting the Coalition’s numbers? 

Or has the Labor government finally struck a chord with voters on the kitchen table issues?

Trump looms large in this campaign, and Australia’s next PM has a choice to make.

Will they be defiant, like Trudeau? 
Obsequious, like Argentine’s Javier Milei?
Or play it somewhere in the middle, like Kier Starmer?

Stephen Donnelly and David Feeney break it down in this week’s episode of Socially Democratic.

Dutton Ad Link 

Canada Ad Link

Labor's Dutton Attack Ad

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Episode Start
01:55 The Polls!
09:38 The Conservative Cooldown
14:39 Party Positions 
28:08 Dutton’s Proposals
34:33 Campaign Ads
28:08 Albanese’s Announcements
50:30 WA’s Results
55:57 Listener Questions
01:19:09 Vale David Cragg

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 

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

Rapha Manajem walks into a bar. 

He picks up a microphone. Amidst the deafening roar of mostly oblivious pub-goers, he manages to entertain two or three people. And for some reason, he keeps going back.

Now he’s a big shot with a recurring spot at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, opening next week. He also just so happens to be a fellow comrade and passionate Labor volunteer and campaigner, which makes him the perfect guest for us.

From an awkward encounter with Chris Bowen, to a somehow even more awkward encounter with Dan Andrews, Rapha’s got plenty of stories. 

But it’s not all jokes. Rapha shares his perspective on being “diverse” in Australia, being Jewish in a fraught time, and the absurdity of answering for an identity you didn’t choose. 

He also turns the tables on Stephen Donnelly and asks some fantastic questions about campaign organising!

We loved this episode, and hope you do too.

See Rapha at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival:

Bar 1806
169 Exhibition Street, Melbourne 3000

6:15 - 7:05 PM
April 9-11, 13, 15-18, 20

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Episode Introduction
01:55 Guest Introduction
11:56 Equality in Schools, Dignity in Work
17:46 Rapha Interviews Stephen on Field Organising
35:55 How Rapha Got Into Comedy
41:37 Rapha’s Act (And Ensuing Thoughts)
59:56 Wrap Up

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 

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

“A big reason we’re up against the wall here is, cost of living’s tough. Governments all around the world … have lost some skin. We need a big margin and we haven’t got it.”

-

Peter Dutton has vowed to cut public service jobs and repeal popular laws like the ‘right to disconnect’. 

Yet somehow, he still poses a credible threat to Labor this coming election.

Is this a failure of storytelling?

And if so, how can Albanese’s team lead the charge to victory?

John Armitage sits down with Stephen Donnelly to discuss.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Episode Start
01:47 Introducing John Armitage
02:51 WA Election
09:05 Federal Election
22:09 Going Deeper on Messaging
33:48 Accentuate the Negative
50:05 Positive Peter
58:30 Wrap Up

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 

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

The year was 2012. A young Benita Kolovos arrives at her high school literature class to find a print-out on her desk. It’s the Julia Gillard misogyny speech. 

When it comes to riveting moments in Australian media, Gillard’s speech has few peers. It was raw, honest, and reached millions of Australian women who were fed up with double standards in the workplace, and in life. 

But one speech can’t fix everything. Year after year, when International Women’s Day rolls around, we have a special opportunity to reflect on where we are and how far we’ve come in the last twelve months.

Inspired by the power of Gillard’s speech, Benita pursued politics in journalism. At the same time, Maddy Harradence, a Registered Nurse, started a long meaningful career in her union, and Rebecca Thistleton forged a path in policy and media. 

These three visionary women come together for our annual 2025 IWD episode for a wide ranging conversation on politics, health, media, and sport. Women’s issues impact everyone - this is not one to miss. 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Open
01:58 Introduction
07:38 Women in Politics
10:36 Women's Healthcare
21:52 Wages and Conditions
29:55 Activity Test
31:46 Family Violence
44:00 Women in the Media
53:56 Communicating to Younger Constituents
01:07:04 Reasons for Optimism & Path Forward

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 

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

“Utterly disgraceful…The United States is behaving like a bandit.”

On this episode of Socially Democratic, former federal MP David Feeney pulls no punches when excoriating Trump’s position on Ukraine. 

Plus: listener questions answered. Your primary concern was the new American regime - how the example set by Trump, Musk, and Vance might darken our shores, and how we can stop it. 

Back in Australia, Stephen and David examine how both major parties are laying the groundwork for their federal campaigns. They discuss whether the United States would do well to have an Opposition like Australia, and whether there is merit to conducting a mass audit of federal spending. 

CHAPTERS:

00:00: Introduction
03:30: Albo’s Medicare Announcement
12:40 Dutton’s Disclosures
16:25: Listener Questions
30:23 “Strategos and Taktikos”
38:22 United States Politics
51:13 Wrap Up

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 

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

With the relative decline of mainstream media and the rise of podcasts, influencers, and infinite scrolling, how is the Australian Labor party faring in the race to modernise their political campaigns?

And how can social democratic parties around the world continue to compete and adapt to the ever-changing new media landscape? What role does data analytics play in shaping effective messaging, and driving innovative, efficient campaigns?

On this week’s episode of Socially Democratic, Stephen Donnelly sits down with James Booth, an Australian transplant to Washington D.C. and an expert on campaign data and messaging. They discuss, among other things, takeaways from the U.S. Presidential Election, the long road to changing public perception, and the surprising strength of analogue.

Enjoy!

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction
2:23 Meet James Booth
19:34 Where Australian Campaigns Fit In
29:41 U.S. Election Hindsight
54:08 Winning the “Battle of the Thumbs”

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 

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