US expert Emma Shortis joins Democracy Sausage to talk about the reshaping of the US-Australia relationship, misguided assumptions and finding Australia’s place in the world. Can Trump be treated as an aberration in US foreign policy or has he permanently reshaped the global order? Does fealty to Trump’s America make Australia safer or should we rejig our relationship? And what can we learn from our neighbours in the region and their approach to foreign policy? On this episode of Democracy Sausa...
Jul 01, 2025•43 min
The ABC’s Chief Election Analyst Emeritus Antony Green joins Democracy Sausage to discuss a career spent covering elections. Antony Green has covered more than 90 elections. How does this recent one compare to ones in the past? What does the ‘broad church’ of the Liberal party mean these days? And will Labor ever be vulnerable to an ‘orange’ independent vote? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Antony Green joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to talk elections past, present and f...
Jun 24, 2025•44 min
Treasurer Jim Chalmers joins Mark Kenny to talk our changing economic environment, productivity and ‘progressive patriotism’. Amid the unpredictability of the current economic environment, how can Australia benefit from global change? What is the government planning to do to ensure productivity roundtables are actually productive? And how can we meet the challenge of decarbonising our economy? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Dr Jim Chalmers joins Professor Mark Kenny to talk about how to ...
Jun 18, 2025•33 min
Join Democracy Sausage co-hosts to discuss the US, domestic fiscal debates and what to expect in the weeks ahead. What will the agenda be for the Albanese-Trump meeting at the G7, especially with the unfolding instability in the US? What does the conversation around the proposed changes to superannuation taxation say about our expectations for government? And how will Sussan Ley and Anthony Albanese change how their parties operate? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Professor Mark Kenny and...
Jun 10, 2025•54 min
Former Attorney-General George Brandis joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the Liberal Party’s “Jack Kerouac political experience” and wider political trends. Is the Liberal Party’s shift to the right a more recent trend or has it been a long time coming? Does the party still need to find itself? And is it finally time for gender quotas? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Professor George Brandis KC joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss rediscovering the Liberal Party. G...
Jun 03, 2025•45 min
The hosts of Democracy Sausage are joined by political scientist Jill Sheppard and ANU students to gauge the current state of politics. Will the tensions between the Liberal and National parties be a shot in the foot or an opportunity to reshape the parties? What questions and issues linger for Australia’s young people after the federal election? And what will it take for a Liberal party to connect with young people? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , recorded in a political science classroo...
May 27, 2025•56 min
Correspondent Jason Koutsoukis joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the latest power plays, election missteps and the lost heart of the Liberal party. How did the Liberal party misjudge the election? Now returned to power, can Labor deliver on its election promises? And is Sussan Ley up to the task of reshaping a Liberal party adrift? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , journalist Jason Koutsoukis joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss stories from this new parliament. Jaso...
May 20, 2025•53 min
Political scientist Dr Jill Sheppard and independent electoral analyst Ben Raue unpack the latest results on seats and preference flows, the cabinet battles in the party room and the two-party system. With some of the election dust settled, what does it tell us about the relevancy of two-party preferred polling? Can Albanese maintain party unity with a landslide victory, a huge backbench and a diversity of voices? And will new Liberal party leader, Sussan Ley, be able to keep her party room onsi...
May 13, 2025•46 min
Join the hosts of Democracy Sausage for a discussion about Labor’s victory and what it means. What can we expect from Albanese’s leadership approach the second time around? Can we expect Labor to continue to have the same level of unity? And how can the Liberals rebuild after their election defeat? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga discuss the outcome of the 2025 federal election. Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Australian Politics Studie...
May 06, 2025•51 min
In the final week before ballots are counted, Jill Sheppard and Frank Bongiorno join Democracy Sausage for a live discussion where they sink their teeth into the 2025 federal election. Who won the four debates, and do they even change people’s minds? In a scenario where we end up with a minority government, what can we expect from the crossbench? And which questions still remain in our live audience’s minds? On this live episode of Democracy Sausage , recorded at an ANU pub, Dr Jill Sheppard and...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Data analyst Simon Jackman joins Democracy Sausage to chat about the polls, swing seats and how the global uncertainty is impacting this election. When did Labor’s recovery start? How has uncertainty in the US influenced the framing of this election and left the Coalition vulnerable? And does this election cycle point to any changes in how the major parties operate? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Professor Simon Jackman joins Professor Mark Kenny to talk about polling data and the AUS-US...
Apr 23, 2025•43 min
Political communications expert Andrea Carson joins Democracy Sausage to discuss social media, misinformation and disinformation and what ideas, if any, are actually landing with a disengaged electorate. Which campaign messages are cutting through in both traditional and social media? Are mis- and disinformation seducing the electorate any more than in the past? And are we now seeing social media impact not only how campaigns are run, but also how policy is designed? On this episode of Democracy...
Apr 15, 2025•51 min
Historian Frank Bongiorno joins Democracy Sausage to tell us what we can learn from precedent, and what's unusual about this federal election. How will Trump’s tariffs sway this campaign and Australia’s relationship with the US? Has Labor flipped the worldwide incumbency disadvantage trend? And how much campaigning is landing with a disengaged populace? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Professor Frank Bongiorno joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss elections past and ...
Apr 08, 2025•52 min
In the first sausage sizzle of this federal election campaign, pollster Shaun Ratcliff gives Democracy Sausage an update on the state of the campaign. Is Labor bouncing back in the polls? How likely is it that Will Peter Dutton pull off his appeal to voters in the outer suburbs? And will the question ‘are you better off than you were three years ago’ sway voters this election? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Dr Shaun Ratcliff joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss the...
Apr 01, 2025•48 min
Economist Kristen Sobeck joins Democracy Sausage to break down the budget – the goods, the bads and the ‘X factor’ unknowns. Will the budget do enough to deal with cost-of-living concerns? Is Treasurer Jim Chalmers playing economic chess or political checkers? And how can we engineer a tax system that creates a more equitable ‘good life’ in Australia? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , economist Kristen Sobeck joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss the budget and the lin...
Mar 26, 2025•45 min
Migration expert Alan Gamlen joins Democracy Sausage to unpack the arguments and misconceptions around immigration. What is it about immigration that makes voters so anxious? What are the misconceptions we have about migration? And with Peter Dutton mulling over a referendum to give ministers the power the ability to strip dual nationals of citizenship will migration be a key issue in the upcoming election? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Professor Alan Gamlen joins Professor Mark Kenny t...
Mar 18, 2025•50 min
Researcher Nicholas Biddle joins Democracy Sausage to discuss new research on Australia’s optimism (or lack thereof), what’s driving it, and what it means for the election. What’s the current mood in Australia and how is it impacting votes? Can our pessimism drive support for any particular policy, party or candidate? And will we see populist support grow in Australia? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Nicholas Biddle joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss rese...
Mar 11, 2025•40 min
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 Peter Dutton’s political gains? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Dr ...
Mar 04, 2025•54 min
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 quick wins so important for building long-term support for a political agenda? On this...
Feb 26, 2025•44 min
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 Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss the long and short-term trends influencing voters. B...
Feb 11, 2025•47 min
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 , Senator Larissa Waters joins Professor Mark Kenny to discuss political donations, truth in advertising an...
Feb 04, 2025•44 min
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 governance changes and an incremental approach to progress left Labor with no defining re-election narrati...
Jan 28, 2025•48 min
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 of Democracy Sausage , Professor Frank Bongiorno and Dr Marija Taflaga join Professor Mark Kenn...
Dec 12, 2024•55 min
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 Sausage , Professor Mark Kenny is joined by Leonardo Puglisi, managing director of 6 News Australia, and ...
Dec 04, 2024•40 min
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 influences a politician’s decisions? On this episode, Dr Marija Taflaga joins Democra...
Nov 26, 2024•44 min
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? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Independent MPs Kate Chaney and Zali Steggall discuss Lab...
Nov 19, 2024•54 min
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 return to discuss Trump mark two, the desire for change through populist leaders, and why Austral...
Nov 12, 2024•56 min
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 actually have? Do developed countries have a greater responsibility to meet targets ...
Nov 05, 2024•41 min
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 trust in journalism? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Professor Peter Greste j...
Oct 29, 2024•46 min
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 Kenny to talk about the Voice and what Australia could be. Julianne Schultz is Emeritus Pr...
Oct 23, 2024•48 min
