Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

Historian Paul Pickering joins Mark and Marija to break down what can be learnt from the leadership merry-go-round of the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison years. What do the insider accounts from the Coalition governments of 2013 to 2022, captured in the ABC series Nemesis, reveal about the realities of federal politics? How can ambitious policy be delivered amidst the soap opera of leadership changes and infighting? And why are women so often on the periphery of political power in Australia rather than the inner circle? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Emeritus Professor Paul Pickering, Dr Marija Taflaga and Professor Mark Kenny discuss the lessons of the nine-year Coalition government. Paul Pickering is an Emeritus Professor and Director of the ANU Australian Studies Institute.  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.  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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.  This podcast is produced by The Australian National University.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga discuss the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison years, stage three promises and the risk of a regional conflict erupting in the Middle East.  Will the government see any major electoral backlash after its decision to change the stage three tax cuts? What did we learn about the inner workings of Tony Abbott’s prime ministership from the latest ABC documentary on the Coalition government? And with tensions at boiling point, will we see a major regional conflict erupt in the Middle East? On the first episode for 2024, Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga discuss tax changes, the prime ministerial merry-go-round and the deteriorating global geopolitical environment.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.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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.This podcast is produced by The Australian National University.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professors Frank Bongiorno and Mark Kenny, along with Dr Marija Taflaga, announce the winners of the Democracy Sausage Awards. They discuss political backflips, government failures, and effective leadership. The podcast also explores controversial figures, Trump's return, the government's resistance to broadening the COVID inquiry, and the need for broader representation in international leadership awards.

Outgoing ANU Vice-Chancellor Brian Schmidt joins Mark Kenny to discuss media reform, hate speech on campus and the expansion of the universe. How can Australia have a functioning democracy when public trust in media – an institution that exists to keep governments accountable – is lower than trust in government itself? Why did three American university leaders get tied up in knots answering a question on hate speech? And what has been the most difficult part of running a major university during a period that saw a pandemic and catastrophic bushfires, among other serious challenges? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU) Professor Brian Schmidt AC joins Professor Mark Kenny to discuss the state of Australia’s media, hate speech on campus and returning to life as a full-time astronomer. Brian Schmidt AC is the Vice-Chancellor of ANU and a Nobel Prize-winning astronomer. 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.  Send your nominations for our annual Democracy Sausage Awards to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.  Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast is produced by The Australian National University.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this Democracy Sausage, Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga discuss the trajectory of the Albanese government after a challenging year at the helm.Why is immigration such a treacherous issue for Labor politically? Will there be any imminent relief from the economic headwinds that have been buffeting Australians – and their government? And can Anthony Albanese keep the ship on an even keel in 2024? Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga reflect on a turbulent year in federal politics on this episode of Democracy Sausage. 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.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.Send your nominations for our annual Democracy Sausage Awards to democracysausage@anu.edu.au. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.This podcast is produced by The Australian National University.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Researchers Nicholas Biddle and Valerie Cooms join the show to discuss new research on the referendum and why it was rejected at the polls.Why did so many Australians vote against the Voice to Parliament referendum? How did people’s perceptions change throughout the campaign? And what does the data reveal about the way forward for reconciliation in Australia? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Nicholas Biddle and Professor Valerie Cooms join Mark and Marija to examine new research on the Voice vote and to discuss what it reveals about the future of reconciliation. Nicholas Biddle is an Associate Director and Professor at the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods.Valerie Cooms is a Quandamooka woman and the Director of the ANU Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research.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.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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.This podcast is produced by The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Climate negotiator George Carter and climatologist Janette Lindesay join us to discuss the upcoming COP28 discussions in Dubai and a joint Australia-Pacific bid to host the 2026 conference.The climate is in dangerous territory as the globe prepares to meet in Dubai for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). So, what’s on the table in this year’s discussions? And will any new commitments be enough to keep people safe? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Dr George Carter and Professor Janette Lindesay join Mark and Marija to discuss gradual improvements in the context of a fast-changing climate. George Carter is Deputy Head of the ANU Department of Pacific Affairs and Director of the ANU Pacific Institute.Janette Lindesay is a climatologist and Professor at the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society.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.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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.This podcast is produced by The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author and columnist Troy Bramston joins us to talk about the legacy and government of Bob Hawke, 40 years after his rise to the prime ministership.Why does Prime Minister Anthony Albanese regard the Hawke government as a model for modern Labor? Would Hawke’s consensus-based approach be effective in a contemporary political environment? And what were his major regrets from his time in office? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, author of Bob Hawke: demons and destiny, Troy Bramston, joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss Bob Hawke's complex legacy.Troy Bramston is a senior writer and columnist with The Australian and the author of Bob Hawke: demons and destiny.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.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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.This podcast is produced by The Australian National University.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Newly appointed United Nations rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism Ben Saul joins Mark and Marija to discuss the Israel-Gaza conflict. How does international humanitarian law apply to the Israel-Gaza conflict? What responsibilities do all parties have to protect civilians? And with influential voices both inside and outside of Israel calling for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step aside, will his government last beyond the current crisis? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism Professor Ben Saul joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss international law in the current conflict.Ben Saul is the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. He is a Professor and the Challis Chair of International Law at the University of Sydney.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.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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.This podcast is produced by The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist and broadcaster Hamish Macdonald joins us to discuss the stories behind some of the world’s most influential leaders.Who's the most powerful woman in the world right now? Can Joe Biden be an effective antidote to populism and demagoguery in the United States? And is Volodymyr Zelenskyy living proof that an individual leader can have major influence over the course of history? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, ABC journalist Hamish Macdonald joins Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga to discuss the political figures shaping global events and season two of his podcast, Take Me to Your Leader!Hamish Macdonald is a journalist, broadcaster and host of the ABC podcast, Take Me to Your Leader!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.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 Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.This podcast is produced by The Australian National University. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.