In search of a kinder politics

Episode 1

Notes from the show:

• Who is Louise Crawford and how she came to be in politics?
• Zeitgeist of our time - “The world feels like it’s gone batshit crazy...like a scene from a bad movie, or multiple scenes...a different thing that happens every day...” We ask ourselves: Is that real, how’s that possible?
• The role model that was Julia Eileen Gillard and the tipping point that led to action.
“Seeing a female take on prime ministership and being on that level shows us what’s possible.”
• The roots of Louise’s activism and march against John Howard.
• The passion to change the world and first-hand experience of climate change effects while growing up.
• How she met Al Gore and trained with him in The Climate Reality Project.
• The start of her journey in campaigning for the Labor Party in Brighton in 2014.
“A lot of good can be done at a local level, which I don’t think I really understood until I got involved.”
• Human nature and politics: “Human nature doesn’t change, it only gets amplified in politics... Who we are in real life before is only amplified when we get into politics.”
• How Louise tries and hopes to make it all more real and accessible and why politics is kind of like herding cats.
• “How people vote is like picking a footy team.”
• Louise’s definition of politics: “The art of the possible…”
• In final thoughts, she explains why voting has generational consequences and why it really makes a difference.

Episode 2

Episode 3

Notes from the show:

Volunteers that make the world go around and why they’re so important when campaigning for the first time.
“You may do it to help yourself feel good in whatever way, but it makes the world feel good, you know, it’s a win-win-win all sides bet if you get involved in your community.”
Louise had always been interested in helping others, and that stems from her childhood and the example set by her family and parents.
“I used to go down and help like my mom did, you know, look after the kids, babysit, not for money, but just to look after and help that person out.”
The volunteering that her parents do keeps them young and gives them a sense of purpose, and Louise explains how important that really is.
A blood transfusion that saved Louise’s life and the reason why she became a blood and plasma donor on and off ever since she was 16.
Her father’s work for a non-profit that tailors equipment to people with disabilities.
Beach Patrol organization that keeps beaches litter free.
The hand sewn bags in South Melbourne Market meant no more plastic waste.
Louise gives tips on how to best make use of OpShops for donated goods.
A lot of community infrastructure relies on volunteers and you shouldn’t be afraid to join it!
LEAN (Labour Environment Action Network)
Very Special Kids - a support group for families and children with cancer.

Comments:

Volunteering and helping others is intrinsically linked to human nature. It not only makes the one who does it feel good, but it also makes the world a better place. Discover why volunteering is something Louise is passionate about, and why she became a blood and plasma donor on and off ever since she was 16. Also stay tuned to learn about a plethora of opportunities and ways for YOU to ENGAGE in community and volunteering work in your local area, and see the difference it can make for everyone.

Episode 4

Notes from the show:

● The show that started the LGBTI community debates.
● Federal Parliament - Cross-party women coming together in support of legislation
progressing stem cell research.
● Debate to remove the abortion drug from ministerial discretion.
● Natasha’s involvement in initiating changes to Austay - student financial support.
● The tribalism in political echo chambers: “The way that people are taught when they get
into politics and parliament, that you got to be part of the pack and that your opponents
are literally bad as opposed to people with whom you should have debate and
committee work and become friends and colleagues…”
● How to make it all more compassionate: Victoria - Dan Andrews’ government with 50%
of women that makes for a different kind of conversation.
● The importance of critical mass and why it’s needed to break down stereotypes, as well
as the power of popular voices such as Luke Ablett - The Line, Our Watch.
● Natasha’s role as the Deputy Chair of Beyond Blue and the chair of Our Watch -
National Organization to prevent violence against women and their children.
○ 2002 - Australia’s first paid parental leave legislation
○ Natasha Stott Despoja and Andrew Bartlett - Same-Sex Marriages Act 2006.

Episode 5

Notes from the show:

Louise shares a few tips that can help you figure out if being a politician is for you - odds are, if you don’t like campaigning, you wouldn’t like being a politician.
How does it work: running for a seat and party preselection process.
The start of a campaign and the necessary organization of various roles and support structures - the party provides some help, but the majority of the work is on the candidate.
The incredible importance of friends, family and volunteers when running a campaign for the first time.
Advertising: Using online platforms such as Facebook vs. old-fashioned mailbox approach - they both reach a different audience.
Campaigning in communities: the use of street stalls at various events. As Louise says, “5 to 10% of the people are interested in chatting… About 20% say no, thank you… The rest pretend they can’t see you. Like someone asking for money, if you don’t make eye contact, it’s like they’re not there.”
Use the opportunities that you get to meet your candidates and ask them important questions!
What is letterboxing and phone banking and how it’s used to find out what matters to people.
Louise shares a story about a wonderful door-knocking experience she had, why it means a lot of hard work, but also why it’s one of the best ways for you to really see the issues at a local level.
The amazing conversations with people are a win-win for all!
The process of scrutineering: keeping an eye on the voting process when the counting starts.
The party after the counts are in - win or lose, thank the volunteers!
“People who do it year after year, tirelessly campaigning for parties because they believe they can deliver good things to the wider country - they’re the real heroes.”

Comments:

Go behind the scenes of political campaign mechanisms with Louise, as she explores a number of interesting cogs in the system that make the whole political and electoral machinery tick. From the roles of campaign managers to street stalling, scrutineering and printing of political posters, all of that and much more as Louise shares her very own trial by fire and explains unique and creative ways through which parties might try to reach you during a campaign.

Episode 7

Notes from the show:

Disengagement - what happens when politicians aren’t communicating the way that’s relevant to you.
Agenda and bias are always present, but it’s how they change a perspective on a particular issue that matters.
Louise is adamant about looking behind the headlines especially around election time. “It’s a big decision, it can really change the direction of a country.”
Let’s talk Mainstream Media - various forms of it, influencing outcomes by spinning stories, subjectivity vs. objectivity.
Louse gives her own personal example of maltreatment as a result of disingenuous reporting.
“It’s really hard to find more balanced views… Just because you shout loudly doesn’t mean you’re right.”
The influence of America and the prevalence of fake news - when people get away with lies that get spun daily and no one calls them out on it, that’s just infuriating and terrifying at the same time.
Louise sheds light on utilization of social media and the awesome power of memes - but no one questions the validity of it!
How all of this came to be - the revenue model for media giants changed to relying on clickbait titles for garnering views.
The need for truth and why understanding the other perspective is sometimes very difficult.
In closing, Louise sums up the bottom line: "I would like you to think about looking beyond the headlines, not always believing what you hear or read and not always getting outraged particularly around election time because often the policies, the way they get reported in the news aren't necessarily right, it's just a particular bias taking place."

Comments:

The highly sensationalist headlines we read often serve a purpose to further polarize and divide conversations into extremes, no matter what issue is being discussed. That’s why it’s so important you Don’t Believe the Headlines! In this episode, Louise challenges you to “Think about looking beyond the headlines, not always believing what you hear or read and not always getting outraged particularly around election time because often the policies, the way they get reported in the news aren't necessarily right, it's just a particular bias taking place."

Episode 8

Notes from the show:

- Your vote really does matter.
- Engagement around election time - are parties effective in getting their message through?
- Many people are not familiar with their political representatives - what’s the best way to change that?
- Louise sheds light on the internal mechanisms of how parties agree on stances and policies, but also the amount of work that happens in the background when new policies are being created.
- “I’d like to hear a bit more about the difference between the I and the We.”
- No party is going to get every policy on every issue right, but they got to keep working to improve - there’s room for politicians and parties to speak a bit more.
- Is strictly adhering to the prescribed party policy legally binding?
- Misinformation in the news - do we even question the credibility nowadays?
- Impacts of constant negative rhetoric in the news on human psyche - Trump as a classic example.
- Former U.S. President Obama discussed as an example of a strong communicator.
- Key issues Annalise is concerned about: health, education, immigration policy and the environment.
- Moving away from fossil fuels and going vegan is good for the planet - but can we stop spoiling ourselves with luxury and actually do it?
- The government’s responsibility - instigating change and reaching out to people.
- Best ways to bridge the trust gap - interviewing politicians and having accessible websites with information gives us a sense of who they are and what their values might be.

Episode 9

Notes from the show:

- Being a part of Citizenship Council provided Louise with a new perspective - “With so many people wanting to become Australians… There’s a lot of good stuff going on in this country.”
- A lot of the fundamental changes for the better are because of the Labor Party.
- Liberal policies of Malcolm Fraser - Handling of Vietnamese refugees and encouraging multicultural diversity made a huge difference for the society.
- The 1996 Port Arthur massacre and John Howard’s gun law restrictions.
- Walt Whitman - introduction of no fault divorce.
- Accessible education and free University attendance that really helped build the middle class.
- Women’s rights, pension for single mothers and equal pay.
- The profound impact of Gough Whitlam and his policies:
- Improved foreign policy
- Abolished the death penalty
- Ended conscription
- Opposed apartheid
- Provided Commonwealth grants to local governments that enabled development of infrastructure and communities
- Modern amenities and public transport funded
- Heritage protection and providing social and public housing
- Australian universal health care system - allowed medical treatment no matter how much you earn.
- National defense: withdrew troops from Vietnam, opposed nuclear testing in the Pacific, merged defense departments.
- The Racial Discrimination Act passed in 1975
- Funded the Arts: stimulated TV and film production, radio stations for Australian artists.
- Reforms of the electoral system and establishment of family law court
- Protection of the environment: established Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, protection laws for vulnerable ecosystems and species

There are things in society that can’t be measured with money, and Louise emphasizes: “Your vote is about protecting, as much as it’s a vision for the future, it’s also about protecting what matters to you now...”

Comments:

Louise takes a historical look down the Australian political lane and explores the work of some prominent political figures who were the catalysts of major changes that reflected in all aspects of Australian life, from the onset of the 20th century till today. She explores the work of Edward Gough Whitlam, 21st Prime Minister of Australia and the Leader of the Labour party, and also discusses key changes brought on by John Malcolm Fraser who served as the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia and the Leader of the Liberal Party.