News
Engaging during the Victorian State Election: a practical guide
With the Victorian state election coming up, it will be one of those moments where political attention is unusually high, particularly after a decade long Labor hold, and decisions are currently still being shaped. For organisations trying to influence policy, effective government engagement requires strategy about how, when, and with whom you engage. Who actually […]
Should stakeholder events and conferences from part of your arsenal
Whilst the word ‘conference’ conjures up images of thousands of delegates at large venues, with a program running over many days, (as is the case for Women Deliver), there are so many formats stakeholder events can take, which may better suit your organisation’s objectives, Below we have included five good reasons to host a stakeholder […]
Training workshops – Internal communication and change management
Effective internal communications for better outcomes Often internal interactions do not attract the focus they deserve. Effective internal communication and high quality change management processes can make all the difference when it comes to a positive culture, low turnover rates and exceptional external outreach. We have training workshops now available to help your team master […]
Budget submission in? Time for socialising
With so many budget submissions lodged with federal and state governments each year, the difference between being considered or overlooked is socialisation. Meeting with Ministers, MPs and their advisers one on one to outline how your organisation can help the government to fulfil their policy objectives. Here’s our five top tips on how to […]
Arinex and Fifty Acres Unite to support Women Deliver Conference
One of Australia’s largest conference conveners, Arinex has joined with the nation’s leading engagement agency specialising in the not for profit sector, Fifty Acres to help deliver the global Women Deliver being hosted at Melbourne Convention Centre 27-30 April 2026. According to The Arinex Group CEO Maree Di Pasquale, they will provide the operational precision […]
Strategic communications in 2026: What Has Changed — and What Still Works
Strategic communications in 2026 will look very different from last year. It is no longer just about pushing a message; it is about navigating systems and designing processes that listen, learn, and respond. The biggest shift of the past year is not just new platforms or formats, but how communication functions are being built around […]
Government Engagement Blog: Importance of lived experience – how to translate stories into policy action
Lived experience has become one of the most powerful currencies in government engagement. Ministers reference it in speeches. Departments seek it out in consultations. Parliamentary inquiries increasingly ask for it by name. However, lived experience on its own does not change policy. Stories move hearts, not systems. To create real impact, lived experience must be […]
Do you know who your stakeholders are?
Many make the fatal error of assuming who their stakeholders are, reaching out to the same stakeholders they have contacted since the organisation was established, or assuming how their stakeholders want to be contacted. With any communication strategies, in stakeholder engagement, it is important to regularly gain a realistic perspective of who your stakeholders […]
The untapped power of backbenchers: why they quietly shape government decisions
When organisations think about government engagement, the instinct is almost universal: aim high. Ministers. Shadow Ministers. Committee Chairs. The people with titles that sound decisive. However, much of the real influence in government doesn’t sit at the Cabinet table. It sits one row back. Often underestimated and frequently overlooked, backbenchers play a far more important […]
How to audit your communications in the new year
New-year planning often jumps straight to what’s next — new campaigns, new messaging and new priorities. What’s frequently missed is pausing to reflect on what worked in the last year, what didn’t, and how the world around us has changed. Before rolling into another year of activity, an audit provides clarity, confidence and a much […]
Proposed Parliamentary Sittings 2026
Please refer to the above for the proposed federal parliamentary sittings calendar for 2026, which has just been tabled this afternoon by the leader of the House of Representatives, Tony Burke. While it’s still technically subject to change, based on previous years, it is unlikely to be altered — so it’s a good early indicator […]
What Happens After You Hit ‘Submit’?
Understanding the pathway of pre-budget submissions For many organisations, lodging a pre-budget submission feels like the final step in a long process. In practice, it is only the starting point for a complex sequence of internal assessments across Treasury, departments and ministerial offices. Having a realistic sense of what happens next can help organisations design […]