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Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny
“The vision thing” with John Hewson
In the new episode, we examine political vision and division after more than a decade of Australia’s climate wars.
While the Australian government shifted its rhetoric on climate change in the wake of the bushfires, have leadership ructions in the National Party halted any movement on climate policy? Would a conscience vote on Zali Steggall’s climate bill give the prime minister an ‘out’ of his political bind? And does Australia need to be more comfortable with a ‘messy’ debate to encourage political and policy foresight?
On the new episode of Democracy Sausage, hosts Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga are joined by former Federal Opposition Leader and Honorary Professorial Fellow Dr John Hewson AM and former ACT Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris for your weekly fry-up of politics and public affairs.
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.
Dr John Hewson AM is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at Crawford School of Public Policy. He is an economic and financial expert with experience in academia, business, government, media, and the financial system. Dr Hewson joined ANU in 2014 and is Chair of the Tax and Transfer Policy Institute.
Dr Marija Taflaga is 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. She has previously worked in the Australian Parliamentary Press Gallery as a researcher at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
Meegan Fitzharris is a Senior Fellow in Health Policy and Leadership at ANU College of Health and Medicine. She is a former Labor Member of the Legislative Assembly for Molonglo and Yerrabi and was the ACT government’s Minister for Health and Wellbeing.
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.
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By-election tea leaves
57:41|In the wake of a dominant political victory, what are the challenges for One Nation in navigating a path to opposition status in Australian politics? Does Angus Taylor have the political capital to survive the long road back to political relevance for the Liberal Party? Will One Nation’s uncompromising anti-immigration rhetoric backfire in urban seats and do they have the party discipline to grow into an effective alternate party government? Psephologist Ben Raue and Political scientist Dr Jill Sheppard join Democracy Sausage live in the Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre to dissect the Farrer by-election result and its implications, if any, on politics beyond.Democracy and the fiscal paradox
55:56|What responsibilities should the government have? Can hypocrisy be ignored if the government's narrative is perceived as authentic? Does the lack of access to education help to explain the erosion of democratic ideals?Professor Nicholas Biddle joins Democracy Sausage to make sense of the paradoxical observations of Australian voters in this 'age of pessimism'.If you’re in Canberra on Monday the 11th of May, please join us for a deep dive into the Farrer by-election results and help us forecast this year’s budget. Tickets going fast at Humanitix. https://events.humanitix.com/farrer-by-election-resultsLitmus test for Sir Keir’s leadership
52:33|After a landslide election victory, why has Labour plummeted in the polls? Can Sir Keir’s leadership survive and who are the likely contenders? Will the conservative party capitalise on Labour’s disfunction, or is Reform UK set to benefit from record levels of dissatisfaction with government? What are the parallels with Australian politics and who is the Prince of Darkness?Australian expat, Elizabeth Ames, joins Democracy Sausage to talk UK politics ahead of the litmus test Council elections in early May.Crisis in orthodox politics
55:43|With One Nation polling plateauing, can Barnaby Joyce reinvigorate a party without policy and remain ahead of a Coalition veering to the right? What does the Liberal party stand for and will the unity ticket with the Nationals survive? Will Labour capitalise on changing public sentiment and start an agenda of significant reform or stick to Albanese incrementalism, and how will the conflict in the Middle East temper this year’s budget ambition? James Massola joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the race for second in Australian politics.Stormy waters
01:03:22|Have the US achieved their principle objectives in Iran? Will the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz improve the US negotiating position? Will Australian naval capability be useful if formally called upon?Jennifer Parker joins Democracy Sausage to shed light on the American military blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and the recent personnel changes within senior ADF leadership.Finis Pacis Americanae
48:25|Have the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine demonstrated the limits of great power aggression? Can American prestige survive the chaotic and devastating conflict in Iran, and the fallout around the globe?Charlie Miller joins Democracy Sausage to shed light on American military adventurism and the path to peace.Opportunity in chaos
01:00:16|What does the Middle East conflict mean for Australia and how instructive is the past in drawing parallels with the chaos of today? Will a global recession benefit One Nation in marginal, outer suburban electorates? How worried should the National Party be in the upcoming Farrer by-election? Can Albo manage the Trump relationship?Frank Bongiorno joins Mark to discuss his new role, instructional history, and the fallout for Australian politics.One Nation watershed
59:15|Will the Liberal and National parties do better in the Victorian election and the Farrer by-election? Can One Nation build itself into a national political force, beyond its Queensland heartland and newfound popularity in South Australia? Will poor leadership and discipline unravel One Nation success, or will it become the party of the right?South Australia political junkies, Josh Sunman and Dr Emily Foley join Democracy Sausage to discuss the South Australian election washup and the performance for One Nation.The scales of war
52:47|What are the legal implications of Australia's participation in the Gulf? Is International Law being undermined by the US? How are the powers of influence tipping the scales of justice? Leading international law expert Donald Rothwell joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the legal implications of the Iran war.