On this episode of Democracy Sausage , the Australian Electoral Commission’s Evan Ekin-Smyth joins us to talk about the incredible logistical effort that’s going into this federal election, before political scientist Charles Miller joins Mark Kenny to discuss the Ukraine crisis. How is the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) preparing for the country’s largest peacetime logistical exercise, the federal election? And what impact is the COVID-19 pandemic having on the organisation of next month’...
Apr 12, 2022•52 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , historian Chris Wallace and political scientist Marija Taflaga join Mark Kenny to discuss the imminent federal election campaign. Did Prime Minister Scott Morrison miss an opportunity to call an election at the end of 2021? How important is approval of a prime minister or opposition leader for a party’s prospects at an election? And how will the internal turmoil in the Liberal Party that’s gone public impact the campaign? University of Canberra’s Associate ...
Apr 05, 2022•46 min
Mark Kenny takes a look at the federal budget and pre-election politics with political scientists Marija Taflaga and Jill Sheppard and economist Leonora Risse on this episode of Democracy Sausage . Are the measures in the federal budget the right ones for Australia’s economic recovery? With factional battles holding up Liberal Party preselections in New South Wales, will Scott Morrison call the election this week or will he be forced to wait? And what have the accusations levelled by Senator Con...
Mar 31, 2022•49 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Mark Kenny previews the federal budget with Business and Economy Editor of The Conversation Peter Martin and Marija Taflaga from The Australian National University. What will the Morrison government’s recent attempts to deliver services, rather than leaving delivery to the states and territories, mean for it electorally? What can voters expect to come out of the upcoming federal budget? And will the government get a post-budget bounce just before an electio...
Mar 24, 2022•46 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Allan Behm - former public servant and advisor to Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong - joins Mark Kenny to discuss how Australia could gain greater relevance on the international stage. What impact does Australia’s failure to reconcile with dark aspects of its past have on its position on the international stage? Despite having many structural advantages, why does the country fail to execute its role as a middle power? And how is the securitisat...
Mar 15, 2022•39 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Tony Ward and Marija Taflaga join Mark Kenny to talk about perceptions of corruption and the importance of trust in the political process. Why has Australia fallen down the Corruption Perceptions Index in recent years? What does this mean for the country’s economy and political institutions? And what can governments do to restore trust and prevent cynicism from becoming corrosive? Dr Tony Ward from the University of Melbourne joins The Australian National U...
Mar 08, 2022•37 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , former Russia correspondent Monica Attard and Dean of ANU College of Asia and the Pacific Helen Sullivan join Mark Kenny to discuss the crisis in Ukraine. What lessons should policymakers be learning from recent Russian history? How are Russian citizens responding to President Vladimir Putin’s aggression in Ukraine? And what will be the economic impacts of the invasion and subsequent sanctions in Russia and throughout the world? On this episode of Democracy...
Mar 01, 2022•37 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Director of the British Foreign Policy Group Sophia Gaston joins Mark Kenny in the studio to discuss the investigation into alleged lockdown breaches at Downing Street and the unfolding Ukraine crisis. What does the Ukraine crisis mean for the rest of Europe and the world? What implications will the conflict have for China and ongoing tensions in Asia? And will Boris Johnson weather the political storm over allegations that lockdown restrictions were breache...
Feb 22, 2022•41 min
On the first episode of Democracy Sausage of 2022, Marija Taflaga and Frank Bongiorno join Mark Kenny at the barbecue hotplate to discuss the Omicron omnishambles and public perceptions of the prime minister. What did Australia’s chaotic COVID-19 summer reveal about the country’s policy-making? Are the prime minister’s attempts to curry favour with the public resonating? And what do the events of the last few months mean for the upcoming federal election? Professor Mark Kenny, Dr Marija Taflaga,...
Feb 15, 2022•43 min
As the curtain comes down on Democracy Sausage for another year, Frank Bongiorno, Chris Wallace, Marija Taflaga and Mark Kenny look back at the best and worst of 2021. Who performed this year’s most flagrant and self-interested political backflip? Who has been the most effective political leader? And what do Scott Morrison and the Beatles have in common? On the final episode of Democracy Sausage for 2021, we roll out the red carpet and give out the gongs for the best and worst in politics of 202...
Dec 14, 2021•55 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , London-based pod regular Elizabeth Ames joins Mark Kenny to discuss the United Kingdom's ‘sleaze crisis’, the pandemic situation, and British politics ahead of the Christmas break. With great uncertainty around the Omicron variant and case numbers in the tens of thousands, is the United Kingdom facing another round of COVID-19 restrictions ahead of Christmas? Why has Prime Minister Boris Johnson failed to achieve the expected popularity boost following the ...
Dec 07, 2021•37 min
On this Democracy Sausage , political scientists Ian McAllister, Anne Tiernan and Marija Taflaga join Mark Kenny to talk about political integrity and why pork-barrelling may not be an effective way to win votes. Why is pork-barrelling so commonplace in Australian politics? Does it actually have an impact on how people vote? And will the spotlight on the well-publicised ‘sports rorts’ and car park scandals have a sobering effect on the practice at the next federal election, or will it be busines...
Nov 30, 2021•42 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , journalist Bernard Keane and political scientists Judith Brett and Marija Taflaga join Mark Kenny to discuss truth in politics, cynicism in the electorate, and what it all might mean at the next federal election. Is there a growing sense among voters that ‘all politicians lie’, and what does that mean for faith in Australia’s democracy? And how will the global COVID-19 situation affect the upcoming federal election? Crikey political editor Bernard Keane, La...
Nov 23, 2021•44 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga discuss the week that was in federal politics, before Glyn Davis and Liz Allen join the show to discuss the Australian myth of the ‘fair go’ and breaking cycles of disadvantage. Will Scott Morrison be able to connect with voters despite claims he is untrustworthy, as John Howard once did? Or will the prime minister’s claims that his government is handling the economy well fall flat? And do the Australian welfare and tax systems...
Nov 16, 2021•53 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Director of the British Foreign Policy Group and COP26 attendee Sophia Gaston joins Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga to discuss the ‘last chance’ climate conference, European and British politics, and the Morrison-Macron fracas. What’s life like on this inside of the ‘circus’ that is an international climate change negotiation? What are the prospects for serious commitments on emission reduction before COP26 ends? And with Angela Merkel stepping down as German...
Nov 09, 2021•41 min
On this Democracy Sausage , columnist and former political advisor Sean Kelly joins Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga to discuss Scott Morrison, political performance, and Sean’s new book, The Game . What does the way Scott Morrison has crafted his political image reveal about his leadership style? While it’s been politically effective thus far, will the prime minister’s performance of a ‘flat character’ ultimately damage his chances at the next election? And what will the current diplomatic spat be...
Nov 02, 2021•50 min
Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd joins Mark Kenny on this week’s episode of Democracy Sausage to discuss the country’s climate policy ahead of COP26 and why the Australian government might be underestimating the public when it comes to reconciliation. How is the Australian prime minister likely to be received at the upcoming United Nations climate conference in Glasgow? What might the AUKUS arrangement mean for Australian national security policy in the decades to come? And might there be more p...
Oct 26, 2021•47 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Mark Kenny speaks with Craig Reucassel - formerly of The Chaser and director of the new two-part ABC film Big Deal - about the flaws in Australia’s political donation laws and what needs to happen to fix the system. Does Australia need to introduce a cap on political donations? What can be done to provide an impetus for the major parties to come together to introduce real-time reporting and transparency? And can policymakers end the ‘arms race’ for donation...
Oct 19, 2021•46 min
On this Democracy Sausage , journalist David Crowe and political accountability expert Yee-Fui Ng join Mark Kenny to discuss how a federal integrity commission might work and the political obstacles to ensuring such an institution is strong and effective. Following the resignation of former New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian, debate has raged around the need for a federal integrity commission and how strong such a commission should be. Despite committing to its creation as an election pr...
Oct 12, 2021•43 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Australia bureau chief for The New York Times Damien Cave joins us to discuss Australia’s attitude to risk, the importance of positive messaging in the vaccine rollout, and the progress of the Biden administration. Is there an Australian ‘way of risk’? How can policymakers do more to encourage more Australians to get vaccinated? And what does the performance of the Biden administration reveal about the realities of US politics after the Trump presidency? Da...
Oct 05, 2021•42 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , The Australian National University’s Matthew Gray joins Mark Kenny to discuss the impact of the pandemic on Australian attitudes and how data can help us better understand ourselves. Has the pandemic affected the views of Australians about migration? How do young people in the country feel about the direction the country is heading in? And are governments missing their chance to permanently improve economic and environmental outcomes in the wake of the COVI...
Sep 28, 2021•48 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Frank Bongiorno and Chris Wallace join us to discuss ministerial standards and the new Australia-United States-United Kingdom security arrangement. How significant is Australia’s decision to torpedo its submarine deal with France in favour of a new arrangement with the United States and the United Kingdom? Is the federal government's habit of front-running in opposition to China in Australia’s long-term strategic interests? And what does the handling of Chr...
Sep 21, 2021•47 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , journalist and author Annika Smethurst joins Mark Kenny to discuss political accountability and her new biography of Scott Morrison, The Accidental Prime Minister . Not expected to win the 2019 election, Scott Morrison has been Australian Prime Minister during a time of great uncertainty. But how did he come to be selected, then elected, for top political office? Might an aversion to scrutiny come to be his Achilles’ heel? And what does his ‘daggy dad’ pers...
Sep 14, 2021•50 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , journalist Karen Middleton and foreign policy specialist Gorana Grgić join Mark Kenny to discuss the 20-year war in Afghanistan, the prospects for the country with the Taliban back in power, and the damage done to the United States’ reputation. With the departure of American and allied troops, the nearly 20-year war in Afghanistan - the longest in United States history - is over. But what does the future now hold for the country and its people, who are now ...
Sep 07, 2021•41 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Insiders host David Speers and regular podleague Marija Taflaga join Mark Kenny to talk about the federal government’s COVID-19 recovery plans and how pandemic politics might play out at the next federal election. In a time of great uncertainty, is the Australian Government unnecessarily locking itself into a COVID-19 recovery strategy that may need to be revised? Is the federal opposition falling behind or doing a good job with a difficult hand? And will t...
Aug 31, 2021•59 min
On this Democracy Sausage , guest host Virginia Marshall has a yarn with Yawuru man Peter Yu, who reflects on his 40 years in Indigenous development and advocacy. What responsibility do universities have to ensure research contributes to advancing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians? And while sporting codes have taken a role in condemning racism, what more can governments do to tackle the issue? On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Yawuru man and inaugural Vice-...
Aug 24, 2021•35 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , guest host Virginia Marshall takes over the tongs, fires up the barbie, and speaks to community pastor and advocate Ray Minniecon. How can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander conceptions of truth-telling inform global reconciliation efforts? And why haven’t Australian governments and society fully acknowledged the history and the damage of the frontier wars in the country? On this Democracy Sausage , guest host Dr Virginia Marshall speaks with Pastor Ray ...
Aug 17, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 173
On this Democracy Sausage , our panel of distinguished scholars - Glyn Davis, Catherine Althaus and Andrew Podger - join Mark Kenny to discuss creating a more effective public service and celebrate the career of John Wanna. How can the bureaucracy and political system better serve the Australian people and rebuild trust? And with the importance of expertise front-of-mind during the COVID-19 crisis, how can policymakers and experts ensure that this relationship is for the long-term and not just a...
Aug 10, 2021•54 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , Chris Wallace and Marija Taflaga join Mark Kenny to discuss the 2024 tax cuts, how to be an effective opposition, and accountability in federal politics. Is the Australian Labor Party’s decision to retain tax cuts slated for 2024 a good political decision, an abandonment of core values, or both? What lessons does contemporary political history hold for how to be effective from opposition? And with Australia’s auditor-general finding a $660 million pre-elect...
Aug 03, 2021•53 min
On this episode of Democracy Sausage , inaugural chief executive of the Grattan Institute John Daley joins Mark Kenny to discuss why policy reform in Australia has come grinding to a halt, and what policymakers can do to get things moving again. It’s said that the 1980s and 1990s were the ‘golden age’ of policy reform - but how productive were those years in reality? What impact is the corrosion of institutions like the public service and the swelling ranks of unaccountable ministerial advisers ...
Jul 27, 2021•55 min
