The Tanck Blog
Politics, policy, campaigns and advocacy.
We give you our latest insights on political trends, elections, lobbying and advocacy news, as well as tips and ideas for better government engagement and government relations.
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Four-Year Terms: Agreed, Obvious, and Still Not Done
There are very few policy reforms in Australia that have near-universal agreement and still go nowhere. Fixed four-year federal terms sit firmly in that category.
This is not a fringe idea. Every state and territory already operates on four-year cycles. Most comparable democracies do the same. At the federal level, we continue to run on three.
As Maddy Gray stated on The Pub Test (Podcast), presented by Tanck and Baker & York, the issue is not just the length of the term, but what that structure allows governments to do. Her experience across public service, political offices, and the private sector points to a consistent problem: the current system constrains delivery.
When building a campaign, don’t preach to the choir
There’s no doubt that a diversity of views is good for democracy. Differing views, differing perspectives, and differing lived experiences can hold governments to account and ensure that they govern for everyone.
Will the Federal Election result affect the State Election (and vice versa)?
It’s been a rough few weeks for the Liberal and National Parties.
First, they suffered a devastating defeat in the 2025 Federal Election—down to just 43 combined seats (far below Labor’s 94 seats, an equal for most seats ever won).
Then, the infighting began (or at least became public) and the Coalition agreement was dissolved. While it didn’t take long for them to come back together to re-form the Coalition, we’ve heard from Coalition sources that the broken relationships and systemic issues remain worse than ever.
Navigating the Labor Landslide: Insights, Tips, and Tools to support your organisation’s advocacy
Labor’s landslide victory marks a major shift—now is the time to align your advocacy. Explore insights, strategies, and practical tips to engage effectively with Australia’s 48th Parliament.
What to do with the possibility of a hung parliament?
With a hung parliament looking likely, broad political engagement is essential. Build relationships across all parties, focus on local impact, and stay neutral to maintain influence.
The Upcoming Federal Election - What is happening?
What can we expect for the upcoming election? Our Associate Katerine says: Prepare for anything. An election this close to call could very well mean a hung Parliament. Read her blog for some key tips to support your organisation in taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the election.
Making the Most of Caretaker: How Social Purpose Organisations Can Prepare for the Election Period
The caretaker period may delay decisions, but social purpose organisations shouldn't pause. With potential leadership changes ahead, now is the time to share insights, strengthen relationships, and plan for the post-election landscape.
Why December and January are critical for advocacy ahead of Australia’s Election and Federal Budget
In the lead up to the Australian Election and Federal Budget it is critical for organisations to begin looking at their advocacy priorities.
Achieving social sector outcomes in Election Season
We explore key strategies and actions that organisations can take to manage multiple elections in quick succession and maximise their impact. By Neil Pharaoh and Rory Parker.