Sociologist Mike Savage joins us to talk wealth, inequality and other issues in UK politics.  In the pursuit of a truly egalitarian society, what can we learn from the United Kingdom’s race and class wealth divides? Can politicians implement policies around wealth and taxation without being accused of attacking aspiration? And what impact does the uneven growth of wealth have on political engagement and democracy? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, inequality expert Professor Mike Savage joins Professor Mark Kenny to discuss the wealth divide and how to create a more ev ..read more

Former Foreign Minister and New South Wales Premier Bob Carr joins us to talk about the recent stabbing attacks in Sydney, escalating tensions in the Middle East and Penny Wong's move to recognise Palestinian statehood. What can leaders do to achieve calm and social cohesion following the recent stabbing incidents in Sydney? How likely is an interstate war in the Middle East? And following Penny Wong’s ANU speech, which floated the idea of recognising a Palestinian state, what are the next steps towards a two-state solution? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, former NSW prem ..read more

Elise Stephenson from the ANU Global Institute for Women’s Leadership joins us to ask who gets to represent Australia on the world stage?  Governor-General has caused backlash in some quarters of the media, which raises the question, who gets to be the face Australia presents to the world? As we break down barriers in representation, how do inequalities evolve in institutions, online environments and even space? And how does backlash against political actors impact the quality of our policy, democracy and discourse? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Dr Elise Stephenson join ..read more

Independent member for Warringah, Zali Steggall discusses her unusual path to politics and election integrity.  Among all the commentary about the ‘teal wave’ in the 2022 federal election, how has the presence of more independent candidates in Australia’s chambers of power changed the status quo of politics? And what more needs to change? In the face of scare campaigns from both major parties, how can we make sure claims made on the campaign trail by candidates or third-party campaign groups are based in truth? And how can we reform campaign financing laws in ways that ens ..read more

International relations scholar Charles Miller joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the conflict in Ukraine and Putin’s ‘re-election’. Are Ukraine’s international supporters in the United States and Europe losing hope in holding off Russia’s advances and achieving peace? If Trump is elected, where will Ukraine source much needed aid? And, after Putin has been re-elected for another six years, why do autocrats bother with elections at all? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Dr Charles Miller from the ANU School of Politics and International Relations joins Professor Mark K ..read more

Strategic studies expert Hugh White talks Australia's defence situation, arguing our political leaders are out of step with the rest of the region. How can we best spend our tax dollars to ensure that Australia's defence capabilities are 'fit for purpose'? What politics internationally and closer to home, are impacting Labor's decisions on shipbuilding and defence? And with the recent ASEAN-Australia special summit in Melbourne, do our leader see eye to eye with the region and each other on how to best manage the shifting strategic environment? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Emeri ..read more

Mark and Marija discuss Scott Morrison's exit from politics, before housing affordability campaigner Maiy Azize joins us to propose solutions to Australia's housing crisis. Will Australia's political leaders have the ambition and ability to sell substantial housing policy changes to the public? What might a fairer system look like? And how will Scott Morrison fashion his career post-parliament? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Maiy Azize, author of a new report recommending changes to tax and investment policies for housing, joins Professor Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga to discuss the po ..read more

Middle East expert Ian Parmeter joins Mark Kenny to explain what is going on in Gaza – including the context for the current conflict and where to next?  In light of the recent Israeli declaration of a 10 March deadline for the return of all hostages, how can negotiations looking to de-escalate the violence in Gaza move forward? What would a strategic victory look like for any of the actors? And what happens next?    On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Middle East expert Ian Parmeter, from the ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, and Professor Mark Kenny discuss ..read more

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 Pi ..read more

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 discu ..read more