Historian Frank Bongiorno joins us to discuss Scott Morrison, religion and politics, and the history of Labor. What does Scott Morrison’s autobiography reveal about his time as Prime Minister? How have Australian political parties tended to characterise the role of government, unions and religion? And what does the history of the Labor tell us abou…

Journalist Lech Blaine joins us to talk Peter Dutton’s Coalition, moving working class voters, and his new essay, Bad Cop. How did Peter Dutton’s experiences growing up in Queensland influence his politics and his conservatism? How successful will he be in his strategy to win outer-suburban and regional seats from Labor? And does he have the politi…

Sociologist Mike Savage joins us to talk wealth, inequality and other issues in UK politics. In the pursuit of a truly egalitarian society, what can we learn from the United Kingdom’s race and class wealth divides? Can politicians implement policies around wealth and taxation without being accused of attacking aspiration? And what impact does the u…

Former Foreign Minister and New South Wales Premier Bob Carr joins us to talk about the recent stabbing attacks in Sydney, escalating tensions in the Middle East and Penny Wong's move to recognise Palestinian statehood. What can leaders do to achieve calm and social cohesion following the recent stabbing incidents in Sydney? How likely is an inters…

Elise Stephenson from the ANU Global Institute for Women’s Leadership joins us to ask who gets to represent Australia on the world stage? Governor-General has caused backlash in some quarters of the media, which raises the question, who gets to be the face Australia presents to the world? As we break down barriers in representation, how do inequali…

Demographer Liz Allen and migration expert Alan Gamlen are talking migration and population, and the fear-based discourse that often surrounds it. Last week we saw an attempt at rushing through immigration legislation, but creating a sense of panic around immigration and population issues has long been a staple of the political playbook. So why is …

Independent member for Warringah, Zali Steggall discusses her unusual path to politics and election integrity. Among all the commentary about the ‘teal wave’ in the 2022 federal election, how has the presence of more independent candidates in Australia’s chambers of power changed the status quo of politics? And what more needs to change? In the fac…

International relations scholar Charles Miller joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and Putin’s ‘re-election’. Are Ukraine’s international supporters in the United States and Europe losing hope in holding off Russia’s advances and achieving peace? If Trump is elected, where will Ukraine source much needed aid? And, after Putin…

Dennis Quinn and Paul Pickering join us to cast their early predictions on the 2024 US election. What can Australia expect from this year’s US election, and how may their campaigns infiltrate our own political landscape? What do economic polling models suggest and how will other key issues impact the way people vote? And, most importantly, can we a…

Strategic studies expert Hugh White talks Australia's defence situation, arguing our political leaders are out of step with the rest of the region. How can we best spend our tax dollars to ensure that Australia's defence capabilities are 'fit for purpose'? What politics internationally and closer to home, are impacting Labor's decisions on shipbuil…

Mark and Marija discuss Scott Morrison's exit from politics, before housing affordability campaigner Maiy Azize joins us to propose solutions to Australia's housing crisis. Will Australia's political leaders have the ambition and ability to sell substantial housing policy changes to the public? What might a fairer system look like? And how will Sco…

Middle East expert Ian Parmeter joins Mark Kenny to explain what is going on in Gaza – including the context for the current conflict and where to next? In light of the recent Israeli declaration of a 10 March deadline for the return of all hostages, how can negotiations looking to de-escalate the violence in Gaza move forward? What would a strateg…

Historian Paul Pickering joins Mark and Marija to break down what can be learnt from the leadership merry-go-round of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison years. What do the insider accounts from the Coalition governments of 2013 to 2022, captured in the ABC series Nemesis, reveal about the realities of federal politics? How can ambitious policy be deliver…

Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga discuss the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison years, stage three promises and the risk of a regional conflict erupting in the Middle East. Will the government see any major electoral backlash after its decision to change the stage three tax cuts? What did we learn about the inner workings of Tony Abbott’s prime ministership fro…

Dust off the tux and bring out your ballgown – it’s the fourth annual Democracy Sausage Awards. Who performed the most flagrant and self-interested political backflip? What was the risible explanation for a government or political failure? And who shone brightest at home and abroad as the most effective political leader? On the final episode of Dem…

Outgoing ANU Vice-Chancellor Brian Schmidt joins Mark Kenny to discuss media reform, hate speech on campus and the expansion of the universe. How can Australia have a functioning democracy when public trust in media – an institution that exists to keep governments accountable – is lower than trust in government itself? Why did three American univer…

On this Democracy Sausage, Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga discuss the trajectory of the Albanese government after a challenging year at the helm. Why is immigration such a treacherous issue for Labor politically? Will there be any imminent relief from the economic headwinds that have been buffeting Australians – and their government? And can Anthony…

Researchers Nicholas Biddle and Valerie Cooms join the show to discuss new research on the referendum and why it was rejected at the polls. Why did so many Australians vote against the Voice to Parliament referendum? How did people’s perceptions change throughout the campaign? And what does the data reveal about the way forward for reconciliation i…

Climate negotiator George Carter and climatologist Janette Lindesay join us to discuss the upcoming COP28 discussions in Dubai and a joint Australia-Pacific bid to host the 2026 conference. The climate is in dangerous territory as the globe prepares to meet in Dubai for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). So, what’s on the ta…

Author and columnist Troy Bramston joins us to talk about the legacy and government of Bob Hawke, 40 years after his rise to the prime ministership. Why does Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regard the Hawke government as a model for modern Labor? Would Hawke’s consensus-based approach be effective in a contemporary political environment? And what w…

Newly appointed United Nations rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism Ben Saul joins Mark and Marija to discuss the Israel-Gaza conflict. How does international humanitarian law apply to the Israel-Gaza conflict? What responsibilities do all parties have to protect civilians? And with influential voices both inside and outside of Israel c…

Journalist and broadcaster Hamish Macdonald joins us to discuss the stories behind some of the world’s most influential leaders. Who's the most powerful woman in the world right now? Can Joe Biden be an effective antidote to populism and demagoguery in the United States? And is Volodymyr Zelenskyy living proof that an individual leader can have maj…

Political communications expert Andrea Carson joins Mark and Marija to discuss the performance of the media during the Voice referendum and why the ‘yes’ campaign struggled to get off the ground. How did support for the Voice fall 20 per cent in a year? Was a failure to agree on effective, targeted messages in early 2023 the reason for the ‘yes’ ca…

On this episode, referendums expert Matt Qvortrup and social researcher Nicholas Biddle join us to examine the Voice referendum result. How important was the lack of bipartisanship to the outcome of the referendum? Could the government have done more to convince opposition leader Peter Dutton to support the proposal? And is the emphatic ‘no’ vote a…

Julian Leeser and Bridget Archer join us on this episode to discuss the media’s performance during the Voice referendum and the “dishonourable” argument underpinning the ‘no’ campaign. What impact will the Voice to Parliament have on the gaps in life expectancy and a range of other measures between First Nations people and the general Australian po…

On this episode, Senator Pat Dodson joins us to talk about the Voice, why it’s important for improving outcomes for First Nations people and the consequences for the country if the amendment fails. Why is a Voice to Parliament, rather than constitutional recognition alone, the proposal being put to the Australian people at this referendum? What wou…

We discuss the resignation of Daniel Andrews and boundaries for bureaucrats on this episode of Democracy Sausage. How did former Victorian leader Daniel Andrews gain a national profile like few premiers before him? Where should the line be between bureaucrats and politics? And can the Yes campaign turn public opinion around before referendum day? O…

Author and academic Julianne Schultz joins Mark and Marija to discuss the media coverage of the Voice campaign and the importance of understanding Australia’s history. What impact has the Coalition’s decision to oppose the Voice to Parliament had on the media’s coverage of the referendum? Why has the debate around the Voice not led to a deeper disc…

Russia expert Derek Hutcheson joins us to discuss the reasons for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s political longevity and whether his power is finally on the slide. What impact did the economic chaos in Russia in the decade leading up to Vladimir Putin’s ascension to the presidency have on his political career? Will the suspicious death of his f…

Researchers Nicholas Biddle and Intifar Chowdhury join us to discuss the impact of the inflation crisis on Australians’ wellbeing and their attitudes to politics. What impact is inflation and rising interest rates having on the financial and psychological wellbeing of Australians? With over 30 per cent of people finding it difficult to get by on th…

Sam Roggeveen from the Lowy Institute joins us on this episode of Democracy Sausage to discuss Australia’s search for power and peace in the Indo-Pacific. What is Australia’s biggest asset when it comes to defending against a rising China? Have the economic arguments made in favour of AUKUS been over-egged by the federal government? And how far sho…

Megan Davis and George Williams join Mark Kenny live on campus to talk about Australia’s constitution and their new book, Everything you need to know about the Voice. Some critics of the Voice argue it would “introduce race” into the constitution, but is racial discrimination in fact a significant factor in the document and its history? Has the gov…

Frank Bongiorno and Liz Allen join us to discuss the political challenges facing the Labor Party in the wake of its national conference and the upcoming Intergenerational Report. How damaging is internal criticism within the Labor Party around the leadership’s positions on issues like AUKUS and climate change? How has Anthony Albanese adapted as a …

Former foreign minister Bob Carr joins Mark Kenny to talk about AUKUS, Julian Assange and the Australian government’s language around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict ahead of the Labor Party’s national conference. Is Australia acting against its own national interests through the AUKUS deal and other defence agreements being struck with the United…

Independent Member of Parliament Kate Chaney joins us to discuss how to make Australian politics more transparent and ways to level the playing field for new and independent political actors. Are political parties writing the rules to protect their own interests rather than those of the Australian public? Why can governments still run expensive, ta…

Climatologist Janette Lindesay joins the show to discuss whether climate denial is finally on the decline and the science behind our increasingly severe weather. With unprecedented wildfires in Europe and another hot and dry summer likely in Australia, what’s causing the increasingly intense weather across the globe? Is Australia’s climate denial s…

Global referendums expert Matt Qvortrup joins us to bust some referendum myths ahead of this year’s Voice vote and to discuss the political implications of the campaign. Is Peter Dutton piling pressure on the government through the Voice campaign or racing towards a political dead end? Do scare campaigns or celebrity endorsements work in referendum…

Andrew Leigh joins Mark and Marija to discuss breaking up the Labor Party’s factional ‘duopoly’ on this episode of Democracy Sausage. Are Labor’s factions helping or hindering the party’s ability to attract young members? Why is factional power at an all-time high in the party? And how can ‘total factionalism’ be prevented in an era of professional…

Former Attorney-General George Brandis joins us to discuss the geographic challenges facing the Liberal Party, referendum politics, and Anthony Albanese’s attendance at NATO. Can moderates regain a foothold in the Liberal Party after the 2022 election defeat? Would releasing an early draft of the Voice to Parliament legislation silence some of the …

Bruce Wolpe joins us to discuss Donald Trump’s impact both in the United States and Australia, and what it would mean if he was re-elected in 2024. How did Trump’s time in the White House change global politics? What has been the impact of ‘Trumpism’ in Australia? And what would it mean for us if he was re-elected? On this episode of Democracy Saus…

David Speers and Senator Barbara Pocock join us at the barbecue to discuss the PwC scandal, Julia Gillard’s political legacy and the Labor-Greens relationship. Why has the scandal surrounding the misuse of information about multinational tax avoidance measures by some at PwC taken eight years to come to a head? How have public perceptions of Julia …

Independent member for Wentworth Allegra Spender discusses how a citizens’ assembly might help parliament break through its housing policy impasse. Could bringing a group of regular citizens together to talk through the issues help politicians find common ground on housing policy? Is the ‘Australian dream’ always likely to be connected to home owne…

We discuss the Trump indictment and Australia’s intelligence services with John Blaxland and Clare Birgin on this episode of Democracy Sausage. Why is the Australian Signals Directorate, a secretive and seemingly esoteric part of the Department of Defence, becoming increasingly important to Australian society? And why have Australian officials tend…

Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga discuss dodgy grants, a hollowed-out public service and what the Ben Roberts-Smith defamation ruling means for journalism. What impact are ‘sports rorts’ and this week’s revelations about community health grants having on public trust in policy-making? With the government’s reliance on consultants in the spotlight for …

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Brendan Crabb and Chris Wallace join us to discuss whether Australian governments have dropped the ball on COVID-19 prevention. With winter approaching and infections likely to rise, what will the human cost of Australia’s current COVID-19 strategy be in the coming months? Why hasn’t Australia seen a concerted …

On this special episode of Democracy Sausage, Stan Grant discusses the importance of speaking truth with love, his decision to step away from media and his new book, The Queen is dead. Following his decision to step down as host of the ABC’s flagship Q&A program, Stan Grant spoke in front of a live audience on campus at The Australian National Univ…

Peter van Onselen joins our discussion on the first year of the Albanese government on the 250th episode of Democracy Sausage. How does the first year of the Albanese government compare to that of its predecessors? Can Labor build a case for major reform over time or, facing a weakened opposition after the 2022 election, do they risk letting the op…

Demographer Liz Allen and social policy expert Ben Phillips join us to discuss the budget's impact on struggling Australians and the politics of the population debate. What impact will the modest increases to the JobSeeker payment and other benefits have on the lives of people who are doing it tough? Is the federal government doing enough to build …

Miranda Stewart and Peter Martin join Mark Kenny to fire up the barbecue for a sizzling post-budget Democracy Sausage special. The budget may be back in black - albeit briefly - but with a $40 per fortnight JobSeeker increase falling far short of what many experts are calling for, are vulnerable Australians going to slip further into the red? In re…

Historian Frank Bongiorno joins the show to discuss coronations, consecrations and policy cremations. Poised to deliver its second budget in under a year, is the Albanese government’s post-election honeymoon period finally coming to an end? Can the Liberal Party be a truly ‘broad church’ or is it now beholden to conservatives and the secret Coaliti…