
Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny
Mark Kenny takes a weekly look at politics and public affairs with expert analysis and discussion from researchers at The Australian National University and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes

Dec 6, 2022 • 59min
Severed ties and succession plans
On the penultimate episode of Democracy Sausage for 2022, Benjamin Jones joins us to discuss the future of the republican movement, before Ian McAllister and Sarah Cameron examine the results of the new Australian Election Survey.A referendum to change Australia’s head of state might be off the cards for now politically, but how might the republican movement proceed as its proponents seek to break from Britain? Is the election of a large parliamentary crossbench a one-off, or are Australians giving the major parties the flick? And why did women divorce themselves from the Coalition in record numbers at this year’s federal election? Dr Benjamin Jones from Central Queensland University joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss what an Australian republic might look like in practice, before Professor Ian McAllister and Dr Sarah Cameron join the barbecue to pour over the findings of the Australian Election Survey.Benjamin T Jones is Senior Lecturer in history at Central Queensland University, with a focus on Australian political history, especially republicanism and national identity.Ian McAllister is Distinguished Professor of Political Science at The Australian National University, and from 1997 until 2004 was Director of the Research School of Social Sciences at the ANU.Sarah Cameron is Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at Griffith University’s School of Government and International Relations. Her research focuses on comparative political behaviour, the politics of crises, elections, and Australian politics.Marija Taflaga is the Director of ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a Senior Lecturer at ANU School of Politics and International Relations.Mark Kenny is a Professor at 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.Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’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 join us on the Facebook group.This podcast is produced in partnership with The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 29, 2022 • 54min
Putting down the megaphone
On this episode of Democracy Sausage, author and head of The Australia Institute’s international and security affairs program Allan Behm joins Mark Kenny to discuss Australia’s diplomatic challenges and the fallout from the Victorian election.Has the new federal government changed the way Australia does diplomacy? Will progress in reconciling internal divisions over race and gender change how Australia is perceived, and how the country carries itself, on the international stage? And after a comprehensive loss in the Victorian state election, is the Liberal Party suffering an identity crisis? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Head of the International and Security Affairs program at The Australia Institute Allan Behm joins Professor Mark Kenny to discuss Australia’s diplomacy in Asia and the Pacific and the results of Victoria’s state election.Allan Behm is Head of the International and Security Affairs program at The Australia Institute. He spent 30 years in the Australian Public Service, was Chief of Staff to Minister for Climate Change and Industry Greg Combet, and Senior Advisor to the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator Penny Wong.Mark Kenny is a Professor at 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.Show notes | The following were mentioned during this episode:‘Sean Turnell speaks to 7.30 on how he coped in Myanmar prisons’, 7.30, Australian Broadcasting CorporationDemocracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’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 join us on the Facebook group.This podcast is produced in partnership with The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 22, 2022 • 49min
Victoria votes after a ‘nasty’ campaign
With just days remaining before Victorians head to the polls in the first state election since the pandemic, Andrea Carson and Phoebe Hayman from Melbourne’s La Trobe University join Democracy Sausage to discuss the campaign. In an election that’s included hundreds of promises from both major parties, why has so much of the coverage focused on personality politics? With the statewide lockdowns still fresh in people’s minds, what role is health policy playing in the Victorian election campaign? And what electoral impact might the ‘teal’ and other independent candidates have, just months after the federal crossbench reached record numbers? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Andrea Carson and Phoebe Hayman from La Trobe University join Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to preview the Victorian election.This episode was recorded on Tuesday 22 November.Andrea Carson is a Professor of Political Communication in the Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy at La Trobe University.Phoebe Hayman is a PhD candidate and casual academic in politics at La Trobe University. Her current research focuses on the political participation of independent candidates in the 2022 federal election.Marija Taflaga is the Director of ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a Senior Lecturer at ANU School of Politics and International Relations.Mark Kenny is a Professor at 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. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’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 join us on the Facebook group.This podcast is produced in partnership with The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 15, 2022 • 52min
Trump’s midterm misfires
On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Jennifer Hunt joins Marija Taflaga and Mark Kenny to discuss the Republican ‘red wave’ that wasn’t in the United States midterm elections.With the predicted ‘red wave’ of Republican victories at the United States midterm elections failing to materialise, what does the future hold for the party? Will Trump run again in 2024 and, if he does, what are his chances of securing the Republican nomination? And, buoyed by an above-expectations performance, will Biden be on the ticket in 2024 as well, or are Democrats working on a succession plan? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Macquarie University’s Dr Jennifer Hunt joins Dr Marija Taflaga and Professor Mark Kenny to discuss the results of this month’s midterm elections in the United States.Jennifer Hunt is a Senior Lecturer in Cyber and Security Studies at Macquarie University, specialising in the national security of critical systems such as cyber and energy.Marija Taflaga is the Director of ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a Lecturer at ANU School of Politics and International Relations.Mark Kenny is a Professor at 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. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’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 join us on the Facebook group.This podcast is produced in partnership with The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 8, 2022 • 50min
Dreamers and schemers with Frank Bongiorno
On this episode of Democracy Sausage, historian and pod regular Frank Bongiorno joins Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga to talk about Australia’s political history and his new book, Dreamers and Schemers.How do colonial attitudes towards resource extraction impact Australia’s political culture today? How did events in other parts of the British Empire shape debates in Australia prior to federation? And what role has religious sectarianism played throughout Australia’s political history? The Australian National University’s Professor Frank Bongiorno joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss political actors and movements in Australia, from prior to European contact through to the pandemic, and his new book, Dreamers and Schemers: A Political History of Australia.Frank Bongiorno AM is an Australian labour, political, and cultural historian and Professor of History at The Australian National University (ANU).Marija Taflaga is the Director of ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a Lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations.Mark Kenny is a Professor at 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. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’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 join us on the Facebook group.This podcast is produced in partnership with The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 1, 2022 • 47min
Britain's bad decade?
Guests Elizabeth Ames and Sophia Gaston discuss the British government's leadership chaos and the ongoing Brexit fallout. They explore the decline of UK politics, the negative impacts of Brexit on the country's economy, and the challenges of decoupling from the EU. They also compare Rishi Sunak to Boris Johnson and discuss the improving UK-EU relations.

Oct 26, 2022 • 51min
Windfalls, storm clouds, and the ‘r' word
On this Democracy Sausage, The Conversation’s Peter Martin and The Australian National University’s Jenny Gordon join Mark Kenny to examine the new Australian government’s first federal budget.Why is Australia experiencing fears of a recession and high levels of household spending simultaneously? Will an ‘honest conversation’ about the economy include the possibility of raising taxes - or scrapping the Stage 3 tax cuts? And what should opposition leader Peter Dutton do in response to the new government’s first budget? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, former Department of Foreign Affairs Chief Economist Dr Jenny Gordon and Business and Economy Editor of The Conversation Peter Martin AM join Professor Mark Kenny to examine Australia’s federal budget.Jenny Gordon is an Honorary Professor at the Centre for Social Research and Methods at The Australian National University and a non-resident fellow at the Lowy Institute.Peter Martin AM is a Visiting Fellow at Crawford School of Public Policy at The Australian National University and the Business and Economy Editor of The Conversation.Mark Kenny is a Professor at 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. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’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 join us on the Facebook group.This podcast is produced in partnership with The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 10, 2022 • 42min
In for the long haul?
On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Bill Browne from The Australia Institute joins political scientist Marija Taflaga and host Mark Kenny to discuss what leads to one-term governments, political instability, and the razor-thin margins between success and failure in politics.Why have Australian states and territories seen a rise in one-term governments in recent years while there hasn’t been a similar trend at the federal level? How have governments at all levels responded to global volatility? And how do governments with a thumping majority behave differently from those with a very small one? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Director of The Australia Institute’s Democracy and Accountability Program Bill Browne joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss his new research on one-term state and territory governments.Bill Browne is the Director of the Democracy and Accountability Program at The Australia Institute. His work spans the use of opinion polling, carbon capture and storage, truth in political advertising reforms, digital technology, proportionate fines and the role of the states and the Senate in Australian democracy.Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations. Her major research is on political parties and particularly the Liberal Party of Australia.Mark Kenny is a Professor at 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.Show notes | The following were mentioned in this episodeOne-term state and territory governments in Australia, Bill Browne, (2022)Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’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 join us on the Facebook group. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 4, 2022 • 41min
The big teal with Simon Holmes à Court
Climate 200 Convenor Simon Holmes à Court joins Marija Taflaga and Mark Kenny on this Democracy Sausage to discuss the success of independent candidates at the 2022 federal election and his new book, The Big Teal.Why were so many independent candidates successful at Australia’s May 2022 federal election, a number of whom won in traditionally safe Liberal Party seats? Will this shift mean that more people - especially professional women - have a permanent pathway into politics that bypasses the major parties? And how has technology disrupted the traditional business model of Australian politics? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, clean energy investor, philanthropist and Convenor of Climate 200 Simon Holmes à Court joins Dr Marija Taflaga and Professor Mark Kenny to discuss his new book, The Big Teal, and what’s next for Climate 200.Simon Holmes à Court is a clean technology investor, Convenor of Climate 200, and author of The Big Teal.Marija Taflaga is Director of ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a lecturer in the ANU School of Politics and International Relations. Her major research is on political parties and particularly the Liberal Party of Australia.Mark Kenny is a Professor 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.Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’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 join us on the Facebook group.This podcast is produced in partnership with The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 27, 2022 • 42min
Will Russia ‘escalate to de-escalate’?
International relations expert Charles Miller joins Mark Kenny on this Democracy Sausage to discuss the Ukrainian forces’ ability to strike back against Russia, Putin’s chaotic military mobilisation, and the nuclear threat.What does the effectiveness of Ukraine’s offensive operations to push back against Russian forces mean for the future of the conflict? What does the incompetence of the Russian government’s attempts to mobilise citizens to fight reveal about the regime? And what is the likelihood that nuclear weapons are used by Russian President Vladimir Putin in this conflict as it drags on? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Lecturer in International Relations at The Australian National University Dr Charles Miller joins Professor Mark Kenny to discuss the status of Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine. Charles Miller is a Lecturer in strategic studies at ANU School of Politics and International Relations. His research is focused on global strategy, military effectiveness and public opinion, and foreign policy.Mark Kenny is a Professor at 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.Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We’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 join us on the Facebook group.This podcast is produced in partnership with The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.