Share

cover art for Can Australia close the gap?

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

Can Australia close the gap?

On this Democracy Sausage Extra, we talk to Indigenous experts Professor Ian Anderson AO and Dr Virginia Marshall about the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap, the importance of shared decision-making, and whether Australia is taking meaningful steps towards genuine reconciliation.


Will the commitment of governments to sharing decision-making with Indigenous Australians through the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap be a turning point for Indigenous health and wellbeing? What does this agreement mean for the broader reconciliation agenda? And with little for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the recent Federal Budget, will governments ensure progress is supported financially in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis? On this Democracy Sausage Extra, we’re joined by Dr Virginia Marshall, the Inaugural Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow at the Australian National University (ANU), and Professor Ian Anderson AO, former Indigenous health practitioner, senior public servant, and now Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and University Experience) at ANU.


Ian Anderson AO is Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and University Experience) at The Australian National University. Before that, he spent three years leading Closing the Gap negotiations on behalf of the Australian government. Ian is a Palawa man from the northwest coast of Tasmania.


Virginia Marshall is the Inaugural Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow with The Australian National University’s School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) and the Fenner School of Environment and Society. She is a Wiradjuri Nyemba woman from New South Wales.


Martyn Pearce is a presenter for Policy Forum Pod and the Editor of Policy Forum.


Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyGoogle 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.

More episodes

View all episodes

  • Budget fight

    48:51|
    Has the social deficits of broken promises put the government 'on the ropes'? Could Labour have 'pulled their punches' in this budget? Does the zeitgeist allow governments to adjust the status quo?Join Mark and Marija from the 'ringside seats' as they analyse labours 'chin-leading' budget.
  • 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-results
  • Litmus 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.