Ep.278: The Big Flip: How Steve Bracks Helped Win Victoria for Labor

“Kennett was … ripping the heart out of country areas.”

25 years ago in Victoria, Jeff Kennett’s Liberal Party was up for re-election.  Holding a large majority of seats, they were expected to win the election and entrench another generation of conservative rule in Victoria.

But, in the background, the Steve Bracks-led Labor Party was building momentum in unlikely places. What resulted was a political upheaval that surprised everyone - even, until the final stretch, Steve Bracks.

In this week’s episode, Stephen Donnelly is joined by the 44th Premier and the man himself, Steve Bracks. He tells us how they did it, and why assuming leadership of the party was one of toughest choices of his career. 

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction
01:46 The Back Story
12:51 Replacing John Brumby
19:48 Steve’s Strategy
23:39 Going Head to Head with Kennett
26:49 Reaching Out to the Regions
31:40 The Prognosis
36:33 Election Night
45:06 Courting the Independents
53:53 Declaring Victory
57:24 Successive Wins
59:22 Mic Drop!

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