Australian Labor politics podcast Socially Democratic continues 'The Recount', our month-by-month journey through every federal election since 1972.
On the 18th of May 1974, just 17 months after Labor's historic It's Time victory, Gough Whitlam was forced back to the polls. He hadn't chosen to go early. He'd been pushed by a Senate that refused to pass his legislation, a Country Party senator kept drunk on Townsville prawns, and a Queensland premier who moved faster than his own government.
Host Stephen Donnelly is joined by Dr. Stephen Mills, journalist and former speechwriter in Bob Hawke's office, to examine what they call the 'almost forgotten' election.
They cover:
The Gair Affair: how Labor's attempt to create a casual Senate vacancy by offering Vince Gair the ambassadorship to Ireland collapsed into scandal.
The campaign itself: why Give Gough a Go was more about appealing to the base than winning the marginal seats Labor needed.
How a critical pivot at the start of week two got the Labor campaign back on track.
The joint sitting: the only one in Australian political history, and why it ultimately vindicated Labor's strategy.
And the unlikely connection between Gough Whitlam and Dame Edna.
Plus, nominations.
Socially Democratic is an Australian Labor politics and campaigns podcast with expert guests. New episodes every Friday.
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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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