Socially Democratic

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 a...

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 m...

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 co...

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....

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 rai...

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.

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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 Step...

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

Sean Kelly started with a basic question: What does Labor believe?

Drawing on his experience as a former press secretary for both Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, and over a decade covering politics, he pursues the question through the lens of our not so-distant-past - from the Cold War to Whitlam, from Hawke and Keating to Rudd and Gillard.

The result is a brilliant essay which reflects on the struggles, feats and f...

Seven months post-election, Federal Labor is still going strong, while the Liberals seem hopelessly mired in conflict.

🤔 Sussan Ley’s decision to dump net zero targets aren’t doing them any favours with suburban voters. And, Labor is polling better than the Libs in 9 out of 10 policy areas, including the economy. 

💅 But is the ALP getting too comfortable? 

🥁At a state level, the new Victorian Liberal leader Jess Wilson is getting a...

This week, Lissie Ratcliff and Todd Pinkerton are back to answer more questions from Patreon. If you’re not a Patreon member, not to worry - this episode is for everyone. 

In this conversation:

❓With flagging party membership across both the Liberals and the ALP, we ask: do these numbers really matter?

🤔What are the greatest threats and opportunities for the Victorian Labor Party in the 2026 State Election?

👉Victorian Liberals rolled...

"You wouldn't know the half of it."

🍔  What happens when McDonald's - a corporate behemoth so vast, so rich, so omnipresent that its logo is synonymous with globalisation and capitalism - is asked to compensate hourly workers for unpaid wages?

It screams.

That's where the SDA (Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association) - the union for fast food workers steps in. 

For years, they have been pursuing do...

⚡ Don't miss your chance to watch 'How to Capture a Prime Minister' online - Nov 11th only at howtocaptureapm.com⚡

⌛ 11 November 2025, is the 50th anniversary of Governor-General Sir John Kerr's historic dismissal of Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

👑 This remains the only time in Australian history that a democratically elected Prime Minister was dismissed by a representative of the C...

Happy Halloween! 🎃🎃🎃

Stephen, Jessie, and David gather around the campfire to discuss the spookiest stories of the month, including:

🤝Albanese’s meeting with Trump and the run-in with Rudd.

🗽Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral run in New York City. 

📵Anika Wells’s response to Optus outage. 

And more! Listen if you dare. 👻

Support the show

New episodes every Friday.

Access ad-free episodes and send in questions by joining our Patreon: https://...

In this special overseas episode, Stephen Donnelly sits down with Harvard Senior Lecturer and veteran organiser Marshall Ganz to discuss his legendary work, and his thoughts on how we build power in the current environment. 

You can also watch the interview on Youtube.

Mentioned in the episode:

People, Power, Change by Marshall Ganz

#MarshallGanz #organizing #USA #politics #peoplepowerchange #leadership #action

Support the show

New ...

👉 Todd Pinkerton, Director for Campaigns and Strategy at Unions New South Wales, and 👉 Lissie Ratcliff, former Chief of Staff to Daniel Andrews and managing partner at FMRS Advisory - join Stephen Donnelly to answer all your burning questions - and there were plenty.

They cover:

🌀 The complex and evolving relationship between government ministers and the public servants who advise them.

🔎 The leadersh...

In this episode of Socially Democratic, Stephen Donnelly sits down with Chris Hipkins, the 41st Prime Minister of New Zealand, to talk about his journey from the Hutt Valley to the halls of power. ​

They dive into the highs and lows of leadership, lessons learned from nine years in opposition, and the challenges of rebuilding the Labour Party after a tough election loss.

Chris also shares his thoughts on the complexities of tax refor...

Did the Socially Democratic hiatus week leave you feeling politically deprived?

Not to worry. Stephen, Jessie, and David are back with a full episode covering all the major (and some minor) stories in politics for the month of September. 

Here’s what’s on the agenda:

• Albanese’s upcoming visit with Trump. What will it look like, and what is the aim, exactly?
• Jacinta Allan’s visit to China. Talking tunnels and making friends.
• Are the ...

On August 31st, March for Australia spilled across the streets and into the headlines. 

But who organised it? And if not the neo-Nazis of Australia’s far-right National Socialist Network (NSN), then why did their notorious leader Thomas Sewell take the main stage in Melbourne?

Victorian State Correspondent Benita Kolovos sits down with Stephen to explore:

📣 the complexities behind the rally’s messaging, 

🔍 myths and lies about immigr...

When Sarah Witty de-throned Adam Bandt as the Member for Melbourne, it came as a surprise to many - none more than Adam Bandt.

“He wouldn’t have been surprised if he was out talking to people like I was,” said Sarah. “There was a definite swing.”

The newly-minted Melbourne MP joins Socially Democratic to talk about the core values that guided her - even when she didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up. 

She shares her journ...