Welcome to our new occasional blog series, ‘Under the Campaign Hood’, in which we take a closer look at some of the specific projects and campaigns that we’re engaged with that illuminate different perspectives on our work and how we put theory into practice. First up, Marg explores how the insidious nature of the gambling industry manages to manipulate and co-opt the social capital of worthwhile causes and trusted public figures and unpicks how seemingly innocent media moments are benefitting an industry that extracts $25 billion from the community each year and the uphill battle gambling reform advocates face everyday. 

While pundits and advocates alike try to figure out what makes our new politicians tick, there’s another cohort of first timers that are worth considering as NFPs jostle for attention and bandwidth over the coming months – our new frontbenchers – some of whom have been in parliament for less than five years.

This election, Australia’s women spoke up loud and clear.  Hundreds of thousands of words have already been written about the women who turned against Scott Morrison's government, and regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, for many voters this was a defining issue. 

The election result has transformed the political landscape. Sector advocates need to act accordingly. Margaret Quixley and Cara Schultz of Impact Collective give some pointers for navigating the new paradigm.

As the dust begins to settle on Australia’s long awaited climate election, and celebrations among the campaigners and organisations who have been slavering for a greener political landscape subside, the question turns to exactly what each new member stands for, and whether you can get them on board to champion your cause, when hundreds of other advocates from across the country are jockeying to do the same.

It’s the Monday morning after the election, the political world is buzzing, and you’re already short on time and juggling a lot. There’s no time to research all the new faces that have appeared in the halls of power overnight - are they friend or foe? Ally or enemy? Will they champion your cause or do their darndest to set it back?

The post-election landscape can present a depressing vista for some campaigners. If you’re involved in any kind of social change advocacy, then it’s highly likely your work, tactics and strategy involve some form of direct engagement with politicians - and when the dust settles it might be your best champion is out of a job, or has been shuffled somewhere else, and you feel like you’re back to square one.

When the scent of sizzling meat and frying onions wafts across the nation in a few weeks, it’ll be a welcome glimpse of the federal election finish line for our pollies (and everyone else). But for advocates and campaigners, the BBQs and cake stalls signal the start of a different kind of marathon - the First Hundred Days of the newly elected parliament.

I knew from a young age that I wanted to make a difference in the world. I didn’t always know what that would look like. In primary school it was as a first aid volunteer on weekends for St John Ambulance. In high school it was protesting against war. In university I took a keen interest in policy and politics, swept up in Obamamania and later the appointment of Australia’s first female Prime Minister.