Amidst the looming federal election, the urgency to engage strategically escalates for the social and not-for-profit sectors. With parties unveiling their main election platforms (such as “A Future Made in Australia” for ALP and “Back to Basics” for Libs), social sector organisations must assess how their priorities align with these platforms and where they may need to advocate to ensure their issue—and the communities they represent—aren’t left with crumbs (or nothing at all) on election night.

Given that elections only happen every three years or so, they present a rare opportunity to drive significant policy changes and secure essential funding.

Currently, we are in the period between budget cycles (June to September). Organisations should take advantage of this time to establish strong relationships with MPs from major and minor parties to ensure effective engagement come October. This is crucial as October marks the beginning of the government’s budget planning process, including allocating new funds for the election. You could aim for MYEFO, but to do so, you’ll need to begin right away. And in reality, the election is where the biggest gain can be made.

The government’s attention is finite, and you can try your best to time your message with the Overton window, but in practice, organisations that delay engaging to build relationships risk being overlooked for the election. Early engagement ensures sustained interaction and avoids competing with a flood of latecomers. Effective government engagement demands a focused strategy and a tailored set of tactics to achieve the desired outcomes. Politics is, after all, as much art as science. 

Looking ahead to the election, it’s imperative for organisations to make progress in securing commitments from both major and minor parties. A straightforward tactic involves obtaining a commitment from one major party and then persuading the other major party to match it. By adopting this simple strategic approach, not-for-profits can make great headway in obtaining their fair share of funding from elections.

For example, at Tanck, we’ve helped a not-for-profit in the health field that was keen on securing bipartisan funding for their projects in an election. Cautious about offending either side, by crafting messaging and a project that homed in on political priorities (jobs, health, security, etc.), we were able to secure almost matching announcements that framed the project to the particular worldview of the different parties. What this achieved was to enable both major parties to claim a win, as well as secure similar (but not identical) funding commitments for our client.

It’s key to point out that tactics vary across sectors, as some issues fluctuate in popularity or controversy from one election to another. So, it’s crucial to gauge the current status of a given issue and adapt tactics accordingly.

However, a consistently unsuccessful tactic is to make bold demands or public declarations without leverage. Politicians easily dismiss such actions, often leading to a loss of political goodwill and relationships without gaining any tangible benefits. Regrettably, I see this all too often played out by well-meaning leaders.

 Across social sectors, the challenges vary significantly. This variability stems from the fluctuating attention different issues receive in the media or public discourse, often depending on chance. The goal should be to establish a structured government engagement process that not only addresses challenges but also positions your charity to capitalise on favourable circumstances as they arise. There are alternatives, but none of them are strategic.

So, what does this all mean? The upcoming federal election represents a pivotal moment for the social and not-for-profit sectors, offering rare opportunities to shape policy changes and secure vital funding. As parties unveil their election platforms, organisations must assess alignment with their priorities and engage with policymakers strategically. You can wait, but you’ll be waiting at least another three years if you do.

Angus Crowther

Co-founding Director at Tanck | Website

Angus, a co-founding director of Tanck, is a seasoned political advisor with a deep understanding of government decision-making. His ministerial career includes social and economic super portfolios, managing projects worth over $4 billion. Since leaving politics, Angus has been instrumental in helping various social sector and purpose-led organisations establish effective government engagement and advocacy systems, achieving sector firsts in policy statement delivery and funding certainty.

A proud LGBTIQ+ advocate, Angus’ personal journey and experience in supporting marginalised Australians have instilled in him a profound sense of empathy. A desire to effect meaningful social change and empower the social sector to effectively compete with lobbyists and private interests drives his work. His next step with Tanck embodies this commitment, aiming to contribute to a better future.

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