Socially Democratic

This episode of Socially Democratic covers the May federal budget: the politics, the comms, and what it means for Labor heading into the next Victorian election. David Feeney is away, so Stephen Donnelly and Jessie McCrone are joined this month by Lissie Ratcliff, former Andrews Chief of Staff and regular Mailbag guest, for a cracking Feeney Files sans Feeney. They cover:  🏠 Whether the budget&ap...

This episode of Socially Democratic discusses the UK local, Scottish, and Welsh election results, and what Labour's historic collapse means for social democracy. Reform UK surged across England, Scotland, and Wales. Labour lost its 115-year dominance in Wales. And inside the Parliamentary Labour Party, calls for Keir Starmer to stand down are growing louder. Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by...

This episode of Socially Democratic discusses the 2026 Federal Budget — Jim Chalmers' most ambitious yet — with Emma Dawson, Executive Director of the Chifley Research Centre, and economist Adam Triggs, Partner at Mandala.  Is this really the most significant tax reform package in a quarter of a century? Stephen, Emma, and Adam think so. Here's why. 💰 Negative gearing reform and capital...

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 co...

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 tho...

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...

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 positio...

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...

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...

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 &qu...

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...

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...

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 seat...

In this episode of Socially Democratic: 🫥 How will the Liberals respond to the findings of their 2025 Election Review? Or will they just hide it in a drawer? 💸 If we address the housing crisis by favouring owner-occupiers over investors, where will that investment money go? Does Australia have other attractive assets to keep that money in the lucky country? 🌴 The ACTU is campaigning for 5 week...

In this episode of Socially Democratic: 🍎 Labor Premier Peter Malinauskas announces a policy of 150 minutes per week of ‘Active Learning’ for school aged children, plus free school camp and an expansion of sports vouchers. 🧩 South Australia Liberals struggle to get airtime and squander their opportunities with scattered policy announcements. Plus, how is Ashton Hurn’s leadership holding up? 🚑 A...

Hey Social Democrats. We are back with our first of the 4-part series on the South Australia state elections. Stephen Donnelly, along with special guests Hannah MacLeod and Matt Clemow, analyse the state of the race, including:  ✅ Peter Malinauskas's record as Premier,  ✅ Political messaging from the major parties,  ✅  The three cornered contests between independents, One Nation, and the L...

Hey Social Democrats. It's that time again! 📊 February brought fresh polling, a Liberal leadership shake-up, and renewed questions about where the conservative movement goes next. With the opposition searching for economic credibility and flirting once again with culture-war politics, what does the path back to government actually look like for the Liberal Party of Australia? 🏗️ We also unpa...

This week on Socially Democratic, Stephen is joined by policy expert and Executive Director of the Chifley Research Centre, Emma Dawson. Emma joins the show to talk about what Labor's clear majority actually means, what they can still achieve in their second term, and whether this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for structural reform. Emma brings her wealth of knowledge to the vital que...

"Politics is about choices—who do you stand with and for, and who are you against?" ⭐ The debate over the capital gains tax discount is here to stay. Many Gen Z's and Millennials are fully aware that they will be unable to afford a home without major tax reform - and that's only the start. But with older and asset-rich Australians benefiting heavily from the CGT discount, is i...

Hey Social Democrats, Happy 'Feeney Files with Jessie McCrone' Day! 🧐 One Nation leads the Coalition in the polls, and even the recent acquisition of Barnaby Joyce can't fully explain it... 🤪 ... sending the Coalition into internal tatters days later. 🔥 So gather 'round the campfire while we roast the Tories. ...plus, the Royal Commission into Antisemitism, the South Austral...

Note: This month’s Feeney Files with Jessie McCrone will come out next week, due to a scheduling conflict (a.k.a Stephen's globetrotting). But not to worry, we have an equally formidable guest for you this week. John Mcternan is back! He shares his expert analysis of UK politics and the health of social democracies around the world.  Mcternan formerly served as the Director of Political Opera...

This week, regular guests Lissie and Todd answer listener questions from Patreon: ⭐ What has the Federal Labor Government done well? Our pro-Labor bonafides are called into question! 💪 Is the Victorian Government in good shape for this election year? 🥊 What 'inevitable tensions' arise between the Labor government and the unions - and why is it so much trickier to bargain when you&apos...

Hey Social Democrats. Welcome to a new season of Socially Democratic.  Mass protests in Iran are entering their third week.  Go behind the headlines with Iranian-American entrepreneur Zahra Amanpour . Born during the Iranian revolution of 1979 and hailing from a family of anti-authoritarian activists, Zahra is a fierce advocate for democracy, human rights, and gender equality, particularly in her...

Happy New Year Social Democrats! This week, Stephen and resident pop culture expert Tess Farrell discuss the Netflix political thriller, 'The Diplomat'. Stay tuned for some non-political recommendations for what to watch and read in 2026. Mentioned in the show: 'The Diplomat' starring Keri Russell and Rufus Sewell, created by Deborah Cahn. 'Always' by Bon Jovi  https:...

Another year in The Garden State has come to an end. In keeping with tradition, Minister Harriet Shing is here to help us review the past 12 months. 💜Drawing from her own family’s experiences, Harriet brings warmth and clarity to the fight against hate speech, and stresses the need to create a society where all people are safe in their identities. Plus: 🛣️Victoria’s massive year of road and rail...