Meeting Kate Chaney MP deeply touched me. It was one of those encounters where you realize you’re in front of a good person, someone sincere, resilient, committed to defending the rights of the most vulnerable.

We met in September 2023 during her induction into the “Democratic Innovators of the 21st century” Politicians’ Hall of Fame , and she graciously accepted our invitation to record a podcast.

She spoke to me about the importance of the constitutional referendum for the rights of Australian Aboriginals, scheduled for October 14, 2023, and the incredibly challenging campaign she was leading to secure a “yes” vote. Sadly, the “no” vote prevailed, and Indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders will not have more representation in the Australian Parliament.

We haven’t spoken with Kate since then. In the podcast she explained how she was juggling a dual role: as an elected member of Parliament and as a voice for citizens’ concerns. Her work is crucial and earns my admiration. Not only does she serve her community, but she also works tirelessly to rebuild trust between politicians and citizens.

I hope you’ll enjoy listening to her as much as I did A Political Hope.

A Political Hope was recorded at the Athens Democracy Forum where Kate was named a ‘Democratic Innovator of the 21st Century’ by the Apolitical Foundation and The Democracy & Culture Foundation.