223: Ellen Sandell on the the state of Victoria

In this bonus episode, Tom is joined by Amy Goodman and Tia Lessin, star and co-director respectively of Steal This Story, Please! “Taking on politicians, CEOs and riot police, Amy Goodman has reported some of the most urgent and underreported stories of our time. Steal This Story, Please! is a gripping account of the trailblazing journalist whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades of turbulent history. Drawing on an extraordinary archive, Academy Award-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin (Trouble the Water, Citizen Koch, The Janes) take us behind the scenes with the warm, wisecracking granddaughter of an Orthodox rabbi — raised in a tradition of asking hard questions — as she navigates a media landscape reshaped by technology, corporate consolidation, and political assaults on the press. Urgent, provocative and unexpectedly funny, Steal This Story, Please! is both a powerful critique of the corporate media, and a celebration of those who challenge it.” The film screened as part of the Adelaide Film Festival last week, and is out in select theatres in most capital theatres across Australia today. If you’re in Adelaide and you missed last week, there’s another screening this afternoon at Palace Nova East End cinemas Find out more info at https://stealthisstory.org/

First, WA Greens Senator Jordon Steele-John on leave after distressing allegations against him and suggestions of party knowledge. Then, Tom is joined by Research and Intelligence Principal at Redbridge Group, Alex Fein! What is qualitative research and how do focus groups give deeper insights into what voters think? Then, what does this mean for the Greens and Australian politics? (21:50) If everyone wants what the Greens are offering, why does no one know and no one want it from the Greens? And how can the movement change that?

In this bonus episode for Patreon subscribers, Emerald and Tom are joined by Kitty Carra, the long-time Director of the Queensland Greens, to discuss her time in the role before her imminent retirement from the position. How many circuses did she run before entering politics? What were her greatest achievements in the position, and her hardest losses? How good did election night 2022 feel, and how bad was 2025? What is next for the movement, and how do we WIN?

Just when you thought Aussie political sketch comedy was dead, in enters Brisbane’s 4BC AM talkback radio station. Tom is joined by the Greens candidate to replace Tim Read as MP for the inner-Melbourne state seat of Brunswick, Adam Pulford! After sharing some memories of Tim and how Adam wants to continue his work, a look at the reactions to the new federal Greens leaders. (18:06) Landlords? And are they really going to deliver member elections for leader? Then, a look at Adam’s campaign for Brunswick and the announcement of the Greens Victorian election platform. (41:21) Plus Max and The Green Institute announce a vision for government-owned supermarkets. Somebody stop these communists! ---------- Just released on Patreon - "Vic Labor & SDA vs RAFFWU ft. Josh Cullinan" The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of ONE HUNDRED past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU ---------- Help Adam Pulford become MP for Brunswick! https://adampulford.com/ Victorian Greens Election platform has been announced! https://greens.org.au/vic/platform The Anti-Poverty Centre is hosting an online event on Tuesday called ‘Compounding poverty: Three issues to learn about this Anti-Poverty Week’ on Tuesday October 13th at 3:30pm AEDT https://events.humanitix.com/compounding-poverty

Tom is joined by the surprise new leader and deputy of the Australian Greens, Senators David Shoebridge and Steph Hodgins-May! How did this all go down? When will the members get to choose the leader? How are things going to change? And finally some listener questions from our Patreon subscribers. ---------- Just released on Patreon - "Vic Labor & SDA vs RAFFWU ft. Josh Cullinan" The show can only exist because of our wonderful Patreon subscriber’s support. Subscribe for $3/month to get access to our fortnightly subscriber-only full episode, and unlock our complete library of ONE HUNDRED past bonus episodes. https://www.patreon.com/SeriousDangerAU ---------- David Shoebridge links - https://greens.org.au/nsw/person/david-shoebridge