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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. Each Friday, Stephen and guests breakdown the issues shaping Australia and the rest of the world and the social democrats leading them. Follow on Instagram at @dunn.street Facebook at @dunnstreetaustralia Twitter at @Dunn_Street_LinkedIn at Dunn Street Website at dunnstreet.com.au
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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...
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...
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 ...
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 rob...
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 ...
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 wit...
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 annual leave for all workers, nationwide. Do they stand a chance? Plus, we ask: which work per...
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 man’s tragic death brings renewed attention to the problem of long waits during ambulance rampin...
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 Liberals in the crucial regional seats. ✅ The new campaign finance laws that are shaki...
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 unpack the CFMEU controversy — including the media’s rush to amplify a back-of-the-envelope $15 billion fig...
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 questions of 2026, including: 📈 Can we ease the cost-of-living crisis without spiking inflation? 🤏 ...
"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 it too politically dangerous to give it the axe? 🧨 Plus - the Epstein files have recently poured fuel on the dumpster...
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 Australian Election, a look at the nation's political media AND the usual category nominations. #RoyalCommission #Spill #Co...
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 Operations for Tony Blair from 2005-2007 and the Director of Communications for Julia Gillard from 201...
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're on the same side? 🤳 Can unions do more to engage content creators in their campaigns? Do you have a question fo...
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 home country. Drawing on her strong connection to the Iranian Resistance movement,...
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://tr.ee/6FZwx1 #podcast #popculture #politics #TheDiplomat #KeriRussell #RufusSewell #AllisonJanney Support the show ...
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 - how has life changed for commuters, and what’s still to come? ✍🏽The First Nations Treaty - ...
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. -- After the horrific events at Bondi Beach, it’s time for the Left to reflect. How can we be better allies to the Jewish community and fight anti-Semitism? First Stephen, Jessie, and David break down the event, including the ...
Viktor Orbán, Hungary Netherlands, the PVV Sanae Takaichi, Japan and the LDP Canada is quoting Reagan UK Labour’s badly shaken Germany. AFD. What’s wrong with democracy? We didn’t start the fire, But Katie’s here, she’s going to make it clear We didn’t start the fire, But our episode will help you carry the load Romania - a little win Proto-fascists back again U.S. shut down, long delays But Trump sends money to Milei We didn’t start the fire. But we’ve got Parsons, And we k...
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