Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

Political scientist Shaun Ratcliff joins Democracy Sausage to discuss election polls, influential demographics, and whether foreign politics are at the forefront of voter's minds.

How will Donald Trump's hostile meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy affect diplomatic ties between Australia and the United States? What are the key issues influencing Australian voters in the upcoming federal election? And what factors are driving P...

We Are New Britain's Anna McShane joins Democracy Sausage to talk British politics, the return of President Trump, and the power of visible change in uniting public support.

With the Australian federal election on the horizon, what can we learn from the leadership styles of politicians across the world?

Should UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer take on a ‘Trumpist’ approach to wielding executive power?  

And why are ...

The Tally Room’s Ben Raue joins Democracy Sausage to talk by-election results, swing seats and what it all means for the federal election. 

What lessons we take from the most recent by-elections? 

What do they tell us about long-term shifts in Australian politics? 

And what are the patterns we should watch for ahead of the federal election? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Ben Raue joins P...

Senator Larissa Waters joins Democracy Sausage to talk electoral reform, resisting the far right and the Greens’ ongoing negotiations.  

What’s stopping donations data from being revealed in real-time? 

Do proposed donation reforms go far enough to strengthen Australian democracy? 

And is the left too fractured to rise to the challenge at the next election? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Sena...

Cultural studies professor Graeme Turner joins Mark and Marija to compare election campaign expectations, media concerns, and ask whether Donald Trump’s return could affect Australian democracy. 

Can we expect Peter Dutton to adopt a Trump-style for the upcoming election? 

Could such a campaign ever gain traction in Australia? 

And if it did, would the government hold it off? Or have portfolio governan...

Historian Frank Bongiorno and political scientist Marija Taflaga join Democracy Sausage to look back on 2024 and ahead to upcoming election year.  

After a turbulent year for democracy, does incumbency offer an advantage anymore? What does this say about the Albanese government’s chances next year? 

And what is Peter Dutton’s vision for Australia (and what are his policies to achieve it)? 

On this episode...

Teen journalist Leonardo Puglisi and youth justice expert Faith Gordon join Democracy Sausage to discuss social media bans. 

How can we manage the very real harms of social media – for young people and society? Is the youth social media ban the first step towards safer social media or purely performative? And can large tech and social media companies be regulated?  

On this episode of Democracy Sau...

Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga discuss the final sitting week of 2024, what drives political deal making and how politicians interpret public opinion.  

With the last sitting week upon us, how long until an election is on the horizon? What do the politics behind the Greens’ shift to back Labor’s housing policy say about the current political climate? And what does the science say about how public opinion sways and...

Independent MPs Kate Chaney and Zali Steggall join Democracy Sausage to talk campaign finance reform and how it impacts your choice at the ballot box. 

Will Labor’s election finance reform bill strengthen democracy or give major parties an unfair head start? What do the details of the bill look like? And what does this tell us about major parties and their willingness to adapt to the rise of the teals? 

...

Marija Taflaga and Elise Stephenson return to Democracy Sausage to discuss the ripple effects of a new Trump era. 

What influenced Trump’s decisive win in the US presidential election? Does this signal another global shift toward populist, strongman leaders? And what will this mean for the upcoming election in Australia? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Dr Marija Taflaga and Dr Elise Stephenson ret...

Former climate change envoy Howard Bamsey joins Democracy Sausage to talk about the expectations and challenges of COP29 post the U.S. election. 

The climate emergency is at its tipping point as world leaders prepare to meet in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). 

But with time for change melting away as quickly as the glaciers, what impact will this year’s negotiations actua...

Peter Greste joins Democracy Sausage to talk press freedom — what happens when it's taken away and how to protect it. 

In a world where journalists have their homes and workplaces raided under national security rounds, how can we preserve the public's right to know? With no explicit constitutional right to freedom of expression, how can Australia protect press freedom? And how do we tackle the declining levels of ...

Julianne Schultz joins Democracy Sausage to talk about understanding ourselves, wrestling with the past and creating a more inclusive future.  

What’s behind the silence and lack of post-Voice analysis? How can Australia confront its true history? And how can we modernise our democracy and constitutional processes? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Emerita Julianne Schultz joins Professor Mark ...

Valerie Cooms, Virginia Marshall and Shireen Morris join us to reflect on the Voice campaign. 

As we pass the one-year anniversary of the Voice campaign, we reflect on whether Australians ever truly understood what they were voting for? 

What derailed the Yes campaign? 

And how do we grapple with continued the flow-on effects of this failed referendum? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor...

Brendan Coates and Peter Martin join Democracy Sausage to discuss fixing the housing crisis, negative gearing and capital gains tax. 

There has been plenty of media coverage about the Labor government asking Treasury to review negative gearing and capital gains tax rules. So how did we get here? What are the political sensitivities and missed opportunities in tackling these housing tax concessions? And would the doom a...

Bruce Wolpe joins us to talk about the US election, October surprises and the strategy and expectations shaping this month on the campaign trail. 

Can we expect a continuation of the ‘October surprise’ tradition in the US election? How will foreign policy conditions, including rising tensions in the Middle East and ongoing war in Ukraine, influence votes? And which way will the swing states swing? 

On t...

Justin Ryan and James Robertson join Democracy Sausage to discuss the rise of the independent, the pressure on the two-party system and how to get the best out of democracy. 

Is the declining support for a two-party system a good thing? Can the Liberals and Labor adapt to this new environment? And how can we make sure that our community’s best and brightest end up in parliament?

On this episode of Democracy Sausag...

Don Watson joins Democracy Sausage to discuss updates from the US election in this live recording. 

From debates and assassination attempts to celebrity endorsements, a lot can happen in a short amount of time in politics. 

What explains the performance-like aspects of this US election campaign? How can Americans come together to mend divisions? And what is the likely outcome of the presidential race?&nb...

Maria Maley joins Democracy Sausage to talk about what can be done to make parliament a less toxic workplace. 

Who is responsible for controlling bad behaviour in parliament? What norms and traditions make parliament a toxic place for women? And what changes still need to be made? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Dr Maria Maley joins Professor Mark Kenny to talk about making parliaments a safer pla...