Policy Forum Pod

On this week’s Policy Forum Pod, Naila Kabeer discusses the gendered nature of poverty and inequality with host Sharon Bessell. Why are women affected differently from men? And how effective are the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals in addressing the issues? They discuss everything from poverty as both a state and a process, to how domestic violence and the patriarchy intersect, and the importance of disaggregated data and gendered wording in the UN.Naila Kabeer is Professor of Gender and Development at London School of Economics' Department of Gender Studies and Department of International Development.Sharon Bessell is Director of the Children’s Policy Centre at Crawford School, the ANU lead on the Individual Deprivation Measure Project, and Editor of Policy Forum’s Poverty: In Focus section.Martyn Pearce is Editor of Policy Forum.Show notes | The following were referred to in this episode:Democracy Sausage with Mark KennyBuilding women’s livelihoods: an evidence-based theory of change (event)Reversed Realities: Gender Hierarchies in Development Thought (book) – Naila KabeerSeeds of Change ConferencePodcast: Back to basics – Finland’s Universal Basic IncomeMaster of Public Policy: Global Development PolicyWe’d love to hear your feedback for this podcast series! Send in your questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes to podcast@policyforum.net. You can also Tweet us @APPSPolicyForum or find us on Facebook. Policy Forum Pod is available on Spotify, iTunes, Stitcher, and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You asked, we answered! This week on Policy Forum Pod, we celebrate 100 episodes by responding to your questions with a bit of help from some of our friends around The Australian National University. The Pod tackles specific issues including climate change, the upcoming Australian election, and the electricity market. We also take a look at the viability of high-speed rail, the overcrowding of cities, and whether Australia has to make a China choice. But we also tackle some less obvious policy issues – from how to eat quiche, to the merits (or otherwise) of pineapple on pizza.Tackling your questions this week are Policy Forum Pod regulars Sharon Bessell, Paul Wyrwoll, Julia Ahrens, and Martyn Pearce. We were also delighted to be joined by a very special guest – Jodie-Lee Trembath, Managing Editor of the brilliant The Familiar Strange podcast and blog.Helping the panel answer the questions is a stellar cast of experts from around ANU, including Professor Richard Rigby, Mark Kenny, Dr Liz Allen, Associate Professor Paul Burke, Professor Quentin Grafton, and Dr Leo Dobes.This week’s panel consists of:Sharon Bessell is the Director of the Children’s Policy Centre at Crawford School, the ANU lead on the Individual Deprivation Measure Project, and Editor of Policy Forum’s Poverty: In Focus section.Jodie-Lee Trembath is Managing Editor of The Familiar Strange. She is also an ANU PhD Candidate using organisational ethnography to explore the anthropology of universities and transnational mobility of academics.Paul Wyrwoll is an environmental and resources economist at Crawford School. Previously, Paul was General Manager of the FE2W Network and Managing Editor of the Global Water Forum.Julia Ahrens is a presenter on Policy Forum Pod.Martyn Pearce is Editor of Policy Forum.Guests featured in this episode include:Richard Rigby is Associate Director of ANU's China in the World Institute within the College of Asia and the Pacific.Mark Kenny is a Senior Fellow in the ANU Australian Studies Institute. He came to the university after a high-profile journalistic career including six years as chief political correspondent and national affairs editor for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times.Liz Allen is a demographer and social researcher with quantitative and qualitative expertise at The Australian National University.Paul Burke is an economist focusing on energy, the environment, transport, and developing countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific. His research includes policies for zero-carbon energy in the Asia-Pacific and Australia’s energy transition.Quentin Grafton is Professor of Economics and ANU Public Policy Fellow at Crawford School, and Editor-in-Chief of Policy Forum.Leo Dobes is an Honorary Associate Professor with Crawford School. Following a DPhil (Oxford) in East European economics, he worked in the Australian Public Service for almost 30 years, much of it at the Senior Executive Service level.Show notes | The following were referred to in this episode:US elections 2020Trump’s campaign promisesAustralian Federal Budget 2019-20Podcast: Getting the public service fit for the futureSome research on public service motivation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can the Australian Public Service transform itself into the trusted and united bureaucracy it wants to be, or has creeping politicisation broken public trust and confidence in it as an institution? This week on Policy Forum Pod we take a look at the APS review and find out whether it really will make it fit for the future. Our expert panel – Helen Sullivan, Bob McMullan, and Harley Dennett – discuss some of the challenges facing the APS and whether the recent review’s recommendations can tackle the big issues.Our presenters, Bob Cotton and Julia Ahrens, also take a look at an Australian budget that sounded a lot like an election pitch, and how the country is tackling (or not tackling) climate change. They also chat about some of your comments, discuss some ideas for future podcasts from members of our Policy Forum Pod Facebook group, and ask for your help with next week’s 100th episode of the pod.This week’s expert panel:Professor Helen Sullivan is the Director of Crawford School of Public Policy. Her research and teaching explore the changing nature of state-society relationships; including the theory and practice of governance and collaboration, innovative forms of democratic participation, new thinking about public policy and the practice of public service reform.Harley Dennett is the Editor of The Mandarin – the website for public sector news. He is a Ministerial Appointee for the ACT LGBTIQ Ministerial Advice Council.Bob McMullan is a Visiting Fellow at Crawford School, following a long and distinguished career in the Australian Parliament as one of Australia’s pre-eminent Labor politicians, during which time he held a number of Ministerial and Shadow Ministerial positions across a broad range of portfolios.Our presenters for this podcast:Bob Cotton is a Visiting Fellow at Crawford School. He has a strong interest in public policy issues, including Australia’s engagement in the Asia Pacific Region. He is a mentor at the National Security College.Julia Ahrens is a Communications and Engagement Coordinator at Crawford School and a presenter for Policy Forum Pod. She is also an Associate Researcher at the European Institute for Asian Studies in Brussels.Hottest March in AustraliaFour Corners episode Climate of ChangeWater wars in the Murray-Darling Basin – Quentin Grafton & John WilliamsABC resource Federal Budget 2019: Winners and losersIndependent Review of the APS: Priorities for ChangeSecretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Martin Parkinson’s views on Australia’s public serviceWorking better with other jurisdictions – Ben Rimmer, Cheryl Saunders, and Michael Crommelin for ANZSOGFormer PM Tony Abbott sacks departmental secretariesLabor warns top bureaucrat public... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The devastating attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand shocked the world and claimed the lives of 50 people. In response, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern rushed through a new firearms policy and openly showed her solidarity with the Muslim community. Social media companies, however, were criticised for a sluggish response in removing footage of the attacks and questions have been asked about how the mainstream media covered the terrible events. This week our expert panel – Jacinta Carroll, Anooshe Mushtaq, Caroline Fisher, and Mathieu O’Neil – take a look at Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) policies, pathways to radicalisation, and the role of mainstream and social media.Our presenters Sharon Bessell and Martyn Pearce also take a look at the Al Jazeera’s undercover investigation into One Nation, and an historic week in the slow-motion car crash that is Brexit. They also tackle some suggestions for future pods from new members of our Policy Forum Pod Facebook group, and ask for your help in our upcoming 100th episode of the pod.This episode’s panel consists of:Jacinta Carroll is the Director of National Security Policy at the ANU National Security College. She was previously the inaugural Head of ASPI’s Counter-Terrorism Policy Centre.Mathieu O’Neil is an Associate Professor at the University of Canberra and an Adjunct Research Fellow at the ANU School of Sociology.Anooshe Mushtaq is the founder and Chair of the Raqib Taskforce, a Muslim-led organisation that builds social inclusion through engagement across the Australian community to dispel extremist messages.Caroline Fisher is an Assistant Professor in journalism at the University of Canberra. She is a member of the News & Media Research Centre and co-author of the annual Digital News Report – Australia.Our presenters this episode are:Sharon Bessell is the Director of the Children’s Policy Centre at Crawford School, the ANU lead on the Individual Deprivation Measure Project, and Editor of *Policy Forum’*s Poverty: In Focus section.Martyn Pearce is a presenter for Policy Forum Pod and the Editor of Policy Forum.Show Notes | The following referred to in this episode:To rate Policy Forum on iTunesAl Jazeera documentary on James Ashby and Steve DixonBrexit: British Parliament’s indicative votesMore than one million marchers in LondonPetition to revoke Article 50 in UKStudent climate strikeThe Familiar Strange podcastJacinda Ardern’s response to Christchurch attackFraser Anning’s comments on Christchurch attackWhy women adopt Jihadi ideology – Anooshe Mushtaq Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Policy Forum Pod, we take a look at shocks to the system – from Trump to Brexit – and ask whether our institutions are up to the task of dealing with them. We take a close look at Brexit and ask whether the promoters and supporters of Brexit really understood what would be involved, how the European Union has – and should have – responded, and where it might all be headed as the UK hurtles towards Brexit Day.From referendum to the day the UK is currently planned to leave the European Union, it’s been three years in the making, but Brexit maintains its ability to surprise commentators, policymakers and the politicians pushing both for and against it. This week on the pod our expert panel -­ Nik Gowing, Anne McNaughton, and Alister Wedderburn - take a look at shocks to democratic systems with a focus on Brexit and ask whether we should have seen them coming, if we are responding properly when they happen, and where the next shock might come from.Our presenters, Sue Regan and Paul Wyrwoll, also discuss Australia’s recent population policy that aims to reduce migration by a third, and the use of consultancies by government. They also take a look at some of the comments and questions you’ve left for us.This week on the pod, we’ve welcomed:Nik Gowing is the founder of Thinking the Unthinkable which is an independent project that investigates global leadership in a time of disruption in the world. Until recently he was a main presenter for BBC World News. He also presented The Hub with Nik Gowing, BBC World Debates, Dateline London, plus location coverage of major global stories.Anne McNaughton is a Senior Lecturer at the ANU College of Law, as well as being a Fellow of the European Law Institute and one of the coordinators of the Special Interest Group on Contract Tort and Property Law. Anne’s research focuses on the European Union as a unique legal order in international law.Alister Wedderburn is the John Vincent Postdoctoral Fellow at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs, and teaches at the school as well. Alister’s work is broadly concerned with the relationship between international relations and visual, literary, and popular culture. In addition, he is also interested in political and international political theory, post-structuralist and continental philosophy, and practices of resistance.Our hosts are:Sue Regan is a PhD Scholar and tutor at Crawford School of Public Policy. Sue is also Program Director at the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA). Previously, Sue was chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, a UK-based research institute focusing on the well-being of low earners.Paul Wyrwoll is an environmental and resources economist at Crawford School. Previously, Paul was General Manager of the FE2W Network and Managing Editor of the Global Water Forum.Show notes | The following were referred to in this episode:Christchurch shootingsAustralian Coalition’s population policy (migration cap)Australia’s government spending on big four consultanciesPodcast: Is Australia’s policy machinery fit for purpose?*Most young people are interested in politics but are alienated by politicians* – Daniel Wittenberg (The Guardian) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week, the world celebrated International Women’s Day with an outpouring of inspiring stories and recognition of the female heroes in our families, communities, and politics. But it also saw a speech from Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison where he said “we want to see women rise, but we don’t want to see women rise only on the basis of others doing worse.” This week on the pod, our panel – Kim Rubenstein, Helen Machalias, and Caitlin Figueiredo – take a look at women in policy and politics, the power of diversity in building good policies, and what roles gender quotas can play.Our presenters – Sharon Bessell, Sally-Anne Henfry, and Julia Ahrens – also discuss ABC’s new soap-opera The Heights, Theresa May’s never-ending Brexit nightmare, and the excellent The Familiar Strange podcast. On top of that, they take a closer look at several of the interesting comments and suggestions you’ve left us – so keep them coming!This week we’ve welcomed:Kim Rubenstein is Professor in the Law School in the ANU College of Law and an ANU Public Policy Fellow. She is a former Director of the Centre for International and Public Law and was the inaugural Convenor of the ANU Gender Institute. Kim is Australia’s leading expert on all matters around citizenship in law and practice and the author of Australian Citizenship Law (2nd ed, 2017).Helen Machalias is Director of Communication, Advocacy and fundraising at the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Canberra. Her career has encompassed roles in media relations and corporate communications, policy, fundraising and partnerships across the transport, arts, regional development and social policy sectors.Caitlin Figueiredo is the founder of Jasiri and is an Australia Global gender equality activist. She was named 2018 ACT Young Australian of the Year and was recognised on the Forbes under 30 list for her work on parliamentary gender equality through the Girls Takeover Parliament Program. On top of being a Task Force Member of the UN Agency Network on Youth Development’s Working Group on Youth and Gender Equality, she is also a student at the ANU studying a Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/ Bachelor of Development Studies.Our hosts are:Sharon Bessell is the Director of the Children’s Policy Centre at Crawford School, the ANU lead on the Individual Deprivation Measure Project, and Editor of Policy Forum’s Poverty: In Focus section.Sally-Anne Henfry is the Executive Director of the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation. She was, until recently, the Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Adviser at the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) in Washington D.C. Prior to that, her career had included working in international development for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (formally the Australian Agency for International Development) and the World Bank. Sally-Anne has worked in Australia, the Asia Pacific, and the US.Julia Ahrens is a Communications and Engagement Coordinator at Crawford School and a presenter for Policy Forum Pod. She is also an Associate Researcher at the European Institute for Asian Studies in Brussels.Show notes | The following were referred to in this episode:Brexit: What happens now? – Peter Barnes (BBC)Upcoming US presidential electionsEthiopian Airlines crashThe Heights (ABC)The Familiar Strange podcast and blog Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do so many welfare systems end up punishing people rather than helping them, or doing more harm than good? How do these policies affect the lives of those who depend on welfare services? And what can policymakers do to remedy the situation - could a universal basic income help? Our guests John Falzon, Bob Gregory, and Sue Olney explore these questions and more.Our presenters Sharon Bessell and Martyn Pearce also talk about the Australian Labor Party’s recent election promises on making abortion safe for the country’s women, as well as taking a look at a few of the comments and questions you have left us over the last week.This week’s panel consists of:John Falzon is Senior Fellow, Inequality and Social Justice at Per Capita. He is also a sociologist, poet, and social justice advocate, and was national CEO of the St Vincent de Paul Society from 2006 to 2018. John's current work focuses on social security reform, housing and homelessness, workers’ rights, and rebuilding the concept of the common good across society.Bob Gregory is Emeritus Professor in the Research School of Economics at the Australian National University (ANU) and a former member of the Reserve Bank of Australia Board. His research has focused on economic development and growth, comparative economy systems, and welfare economics. He has a particular interest in wage inequality, international comparison of wages and employment, and unemployment.Sue Olney is a Research Fellow in the Public Service Research Group in the School of Business at UNSW Canberra. Her work revolves around access and equity in employment, education, training, and disability services in Australia with particular focus on the impact of reform of public services on citizens with complex needs. Sue has experience on both sides of the process of outsourcing public services.Our presenters for this week’s podcast are:Sharon Bessell is the Director of the Children’s Policy Centre at Crawford School, and Editor of *Policy Forum’*s Poverty: In Focus section.Martyn Pearce is a presenter for Policy Forum Pod and the Editor of Policy ForumShow notes | The following were referred to in this episode:Tanya Plibersek’s election promise on behalf of Labor to provide free abortionsControversy around Australia’s same-sex marriage plebisciteAustralia’s Department of the Senate’s report on JobactiveAustralian Council of Social Service’s ‘Faces of Unemployment’ reportUN rapporteur Philip Alston’s comment on UK’s universal credit schemeAustralian Department of Social Services’ Review of Australia’s Welfare SystemJoe Hockey’s comment on ‘lifters and leaners’Fred Chaney’s criticism of Australia’s work for the dole scheme and its impact on Aboriginal communitiesPodcast: Back to basics – Finland’s Universal Basic... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Davos to Capitol Hill, there’s been a lot of talk recently about the mega-rich and whether they are paying their fair share in society. But are high taxes the best way to address disparity between billionaires and the rest of society? Our panel this week – Robert Breunig, Ida Kubiszewski, and Sharon Bessell – take a look at the roles and responsibilities of government and billionaires, tax systems and tax havens, and the impact of income inequality on both society and individuals.You’ll also hear from our presenters Bob Cotton, Julia Ahrens, and Martyn Pearce, who have a look at election campaigning in Australia, Royal Commissions, and the survey this week that revealed the high level of violence against school principals. They also discuss some of the comments, questions and suggestions our listeners have left us online.This week’s panel consists of:Robert Breunig is a Professor at Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University, and is also the director of the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute. He conducts research in three main areas: economics of the household; empirical industrial organisation; and statistical and econometric theory.Ida Kubiszewski is a Senior Lecturer at Crawford School. Prior to this, she was an Assistant Research Professor and Fellow at the Institute for Sustainable Solutions, Portland State University. She is the managing editor of magazine/journal hybrid Solutions and the managing editor and a co-editor-in-chief of the academic journal Reviews in Ecological Economics. She is also a co-founder and former-managing editor of the Encyclopedia of Earth.Sharon Bessell is the Director of the Children’s Policy Centre at Crawford School, and Editor of Policy Forum’s Poverty: In Focus section.Our presenters for this week’s podcast are:Bob Cotton is a Visiting Fellow at Crawford School. He has a strong interest in public policy issues, including Australia’s engagement in the Asia Pacific Region. He is a mentor at the National Security College.Julia Ahrens is a Communications and Engagement Coordinator at Crawford School and a presenter for Policy Forum Pod. She is also an Associate Researcher at the European Institute for Asian Studies in Brussels.Martyn Pearce is a presenter for Policy Forum Pod and the Editor of Policy Forum.Show notes | The following were referred to in this episode:Australia’s upcoming federal electionsTimeline of George Pell’s offencesFinal report from Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual AbuseKenneth Hayne’s banking royal commission reportSurvey revealing abuse against principal’sBackground paper from royal commission into aged care2,754 billionaires as of 2017Oxfam’s report released in January 2019Panama and paradise papers on tax avoidance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Policy Forum Pod this week, we talk about refugees and asylum seekers policy – both in a global context and in Australia – while also discussing the extreme politicisation of these issues and the consequences that this has brought.From the scale of the global refugee challenge to whether Australia has got its refugee policy settings right, this week, we take a look at refugee and asylum seeker policies. The panel tackle offshore processing, the politicisation of refugees, the recent medivac bill, and how all these issues might play out in Australia’s upcoming federal election.Our presenters Sharon Bessell and Martyn Pearce, also take a look at government accountability, as well as social welfare schemes that may have been doing more harm than good. They also take a look at some of your questions and comments.This week’s panel consists of:Bina D’Costa is Senior Fellow/Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations in the Coral Bell School. She is also the school’s Deputy Director of Education. Bina’s research interests span migration and forced displacement; children and global protection systems; gender-based violence in conflicts; and human rights and impunity.Marianne Dickie is a Senior Academic in Migration Law with the ANU College of Law and an Immigration Case Worker for Senator Larissa Waters. As an academic, she regularly contributes to Senate inquiries, law reviews and public commentary. Prior to working at the ANU Marianne was the immigration advisor for the Australian Democrats.Mark Kenny is a Senior Fellow in the ANU Australian Studies Institute. He came to the university after a high-profile journalistic career including six years as chief political correspondent and national affairs editor for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times.Our presenters for this week’s podcast are:Sharon Bessell is the Director of the Children’s Policy Centre at Crawford School, and Editor of Policy Forum’s Poverty: In Focus section.Martyn Pearce is a presenter for Policy Forum Pod and the Editor of Policy Forum.Show notes | The following were referred to in this episode:Crawford School of Public Policy coursesMultimillion-dollar contract between Paladin Security and Department of Home AffairsBillion-dollar empire made of mobile homesCentrelink payments cut for jobactive participantsGovernment dole scheme for Indigenous communitiesPoverty in Britain and Philip Alston’s findingsJoe Hockey’s comment on ‘lifters and leaners’Refugee Council of Australia’s submission on inquiry into treatment of asylum seekers and refugeesMore information on medevac billGlobal Social Policy course... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does Australia have its policy settings right when it comes to regulating drugs? Is it time to change direction and find a way to decriminalise or even legalise certain types of drugs? On this week’s Policy Forum Pod, we’re joined by three experts to take a look at the world’s ‘war against drugs’, the crucial difference between harm minimisation and harm reduction, and the example that Portugal has set for other countries in drug policy.The presenters, Sara Bice, Jill Sheppard, and Martyn Pearce, also discuss some key policy issues from the last week including the ‘medevac’ policy for asylum seekers that was passed in Australia’s Lower House, Trump’s 2019 State of the Union Address, and after European Council President Donald Tusk’s comments about there being a “special place in hell” for the architects of Brexit, we find out what policies the presenters would like to put in that special place alongside them.This episode brings together three experts on drug policy in Australia:John Coyne is the Head of the Border Security Program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, coming from the Australian Federal Police. Over the last 20 years, he has been an intelligence professional at tactical, operational, and strategic levels across a range of military, regulatory, national security, and law enforcement organisations.Helen Keane is an Associate Professor and the Head of School and the School of Sociology at the ANU. Her research areas include social and cultural studies of health and medicine, sociology of addiction and drug use, embodiment, gender, and feminist theory.Jason Payne is a Senior Lecturer in Criminology at the ANU. He specialises in quantitative criminological methods, developmental and life-course criminology, and drugs and crime. Prior to his appointment at the ANU, Jason was the Research Manager of the Violent and Serious Crime Monitoring Program at the Australian Institute of Criminology.Our presenters for this week’s podcast are:Sara Bice is a Senior Research Fellow at Crawford School of Public Policy, and leads the Next Generation Engagement Program based at the school.Jill Sheppard is a political scientist at the School of Politics and International Relations at the ANU.Martyn Pearce is a presenter for Policy Forum Pod and the Editor of Policy Forum.Show notes | The following were referred to in this episode:Crawford’s Next Generation Engagement Program & the 2018 Core Values AwardsAustralia’s Medevac bill for refugees and asylum seekersThe Trump Administration’s 2019 State of the Union addressWhy women were wearing white at the State of the Union addressTrump’s environmental policyAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s speech on corruption in campaign financingOcasio-Cortez’s social media tacticsDonald Tusk’s comments on a “special place in hell” for certain Brexiteers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.