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Get insights and analysis on the most important things happening in the political world that could impact your sector.

The Partner Program

Political intelligence in your corner. All year round.

Membership
Membership
$399/mo
Stay informed and ahead of the political conversation.
  • Exclusive Bandicoot Brief β€” fortnightly
  • 60 min 1:1 advisory per month
  • Priority masterclass registration
  • 10% off all masterclass tickets
  • Partner-only resources
Cabinet
Cabinet
$1,299/mo
Full strategic support for mission-critical advocacy.
  • Exclusive Bandicoot Brief β€” fortnightly
  • 2 hrs 1:1 advisory per month
  • Monthly submission reviews
  • Unlimited email Q&A
  • One free Flagship Masterclass per year

Purpose-driven organisations  Β·  Cancel anytime

Our Flagship, Full-Day Political Masterclass

Run only a few times each year, Red Bandicoot’s flagship, full-day Political Masterclass is live, interactive and we never run the same session twice.

There are limited seats so please register early.

You'll never hear the same session twice

Based off our smaller "Political Masterclass" sessions, the Full Day Political Masterclass is Red Bandicoot's flagship event.

We run it three times a year, keep numbers small, and make every session live, interactive and shaped by the people in the room.

Politics is always changing and with so much to cover, you'll never hear the same session twice.

Over six hours you will learn more about how Labor governments actually work than most people learn in a lifetime outside of politics.

This is not the textbook version. This is the one only a former political insider can deliver - factions, staffers, target seats, Cabinet priorities, ministerial meetings, budget strategy, the crossbench, and so much more.

Every session is delivered by Jacob Stokes directly. A former senior advisor to a Cabinet Minister and political campaigner in the Labor Party, Jacob delivers real political experience in a room to you and nineteen other purpose-driven leaders.

πŸ“… Three sessions per year
⏱ Six hours over one full day
πŸ‘₯ Maximum 20 participants
πŸ““ Handouts and resources included
πŸ“Perth CBD venue TBC
Β βœ“ Delivered by Jacob Stokes directly

Pull back the curtain on the inner mechanics of Australian politics that most people outside the system never get to see.

We cover:

  • How Labor Ministers run their departments
  • What factions are and how to use them to your advantage
  • How the union movement influences Labor policy
  • The relationship between Labor Party office and Labor governments
  • What ministerial staffers and why you need to use them
  • Target seats and how to use them effectively
  • The questions Labor asks before committing to any announcement
  • What actually happens inside government after your consultation, submission or meeting

Knowing how government works changes how you see it. But knowing how to engage it changes outcomes.

We Cover:

  • The make up of state/federal governments and why it's important
  • When and how to approach the opposition
  • What the crossbench is and how to engage them effectively
  • How to brief an MP to advocate for your cause inside the chamber
  • How to build relationships across the political spectrum without burning bridges

Parliament is full of tools most organisations have never been taught to use. This session changes that.

You'll learn:

  • How Labor Caucus functions in Parliament
  • Senate estimates and how to use it to put pressure on government
  • Parliamentary inquiries and how to make a submission that lands
  • What questions on notice are and how you can use them
  • How to use the parliamentary calendar strategically
  • Using OPDs, estimates and other tools to your advantage
  • How legislation actually moves through Parliament in a Labor government

The complete guide to engaging a ministerial office. How to get on the diary, how to prepare, what to say when you're in the room, and what to do after you leave.

You'll learn:

  • How ministerial offices run and who has influence inside them
  • When to approach the Minister and when to approach an advisor
  • How to get onto a ministerial diary, what to say and who to ask
  • How to prepare for a Ministerial meeting
  • What to say in a Ministerial meeting and how to structure your asks
  • What to do immediately after the meeting to keep momentum

There's a significant difference between materials that resonate with the public and materials that move a Labor government. This session teaches you the difference.

You'll learn:

  • The language that signals alignment with Labor priorities
  • How to frame your ask around the things Labor cares most about
  • Using data and evidence in a way government finds compelling
  • When to release campaign materials for maximum political impact
  • How to write a policy ask that travels through a ministerial office without getting lost

Learn to read between the lines of state and federal budgets.

You'll learn:

  • Which budget documents matter and which ones you can ignore
  • Portfolio Budget Statements and why they're the most important
  • How to identify which programs in your sector are vulnerable
  • How to read the political story behind the numbers
  • What forward estimates are and what they tell you about government priorities
  • What to do in the 48 hours after a budget drops including who to call and what to say.

10 Questions Labor Asks Before Saying Yes to Anything

From my 10 years inside the Labor Party, these are the things Labor governments consider first before anything.

How We Can Help

Below are some of the ways we can help you maximise your impact with government.

Political Masterclasses

Our flagship masterclasses pull back the curtain on how government actually works

Submission Review

We review your submissions to make sure they have the political impact it deserves.

Ministerial Meetings

We work through your goals and the political context so you can engage with confidence.

Strategic Campaigns

We review and sharpen your advocacy campaigns and materials to make sure they land with government.

1:1 Consulting

Sometimes you just need quick, accurate advice from someone who knows how government operates.

Lobbying Training

Need to improve your organisations ability to engage government? We deliver training sessions tailored to your organisation.

Want to talk it through first?

Book a free call and find out how we can best support your organisation and its goals.

Contact Us

Not sure how we can help? Fill out the form below, and let’s see how we can work together.