Lessons learned

There’s a political moment that still defines modern Victoria, a result so unexpected it reshaped the state’s future. Face Off, from the Herald Sun, returns to that pivotal 1999 election not through dry historical analysis, but through the voices of the two men at its centre. For the first time since that campaign, former Premier Jeff Kennett and his successor Steve Bracks sit down together in the same room. This isn't a narrated documentary; it's a direct conversation between the political giants who lived it. You’ll hear them recount the strategies, the personal pressures, and the campaign trail moments that led to one of Australia's most dramatic upsets. The discussion moves beyond mere victory and loss to explore the lasting impact of that period on Victoria’s institutions and identity. Each episode of this podcast feels like you’re in the room for an unprecedented dialogue, full of candid reflections and the occasional pointed exchange. It’s a rare opportunity to understand how a single election can alter the trajectory of a place, told by the architects of that change themselves. Tune in for a masterclass in political memory and a compelling study of rivalry and respect.