Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

Apr 08 2025 337 ep. 48 mins 2k

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny Podcast artwork

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.

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Bucking the precedent

Apr 08 2025 52 mins

Historian Frank Bongiorno joins Democracy Sausage to tell us what we can learn from precedent, and what's unusual about this federal election. How will Trump’s tariffs sway this campaign and Australia’s relationship with the US? Has Labor flipped the worldwide incumbency disadvantage trend? And how much campaigning is landing with a disengaged populace? &nbs

Testing the suburban strategy

Apr 01 2025 47 mins

In the first sausage sizzle of this federal election campaign, pollster Shaun Ratcliff gives Democracy Sausage an update on the state of the campaign. Is Labor bouncing back in the polls? How likely is it that Will Peter Dutton pull off his appeal to voters in the outer suburbs? And will the question ‘are you better off than you were three years ago’ sway voters

The top-up budget spills over?

Mar 26 2025 44 mins

Economist Kristen Sobeck joins Democracy Sausage to break down the budget – the goods, the bads and the ‘X factor’ unknowns. Will the budget do enough to deal with cost-of-living concerns? Is Treasurer Jim Chalmers playing economic chess or political checkers? And how can we engineer a tax system that creates a more equitable ‘good life’ in Australia?&nb

Talking tough or scapegoating

Mar 18 2025 49 mins

Migration expert Alan Gamlen joins Democracy Sausage to unpack the arguments and misconceptions around immigration. What is it about immigration that makes voters so anxious? What are the misconceptions we have about migration? And with Peter Dutton mulling over a referendum to give ministers the power the ability to strip dual nationals of ci

All cloud, no lining

Mar 11 2025 39 mins

Researcher Nicholas Biddle joins Democracy Sausage to discuss new research on Australia’s optimism (or lack thereof), what’s driving it, and what it means for the election. What’s the current mood in Australia and how is it impacting votes? Can our pessimism drive support for any particular policy, party or candidate? And will we see populist support grow in Austral

Monkey see, monkey don’t?

Mar 03 2025 54 mins

Political scientist Shaun Ratcliff joins Democracy Sausage to discuss election polls, influential demographics, and whether foreign politics are at the forefront of voter's minds.How will Donald Trump's hostile meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy affect diplomatic ties between Australia and the United States? What are the key issues influencing Australian voters in the upcoming f

Keep calm, Keir-y on?

Feb 25 2025 44 mins

We Are New Britain's Anna McShane joins Democracy Sausage to talk British politics, the return of President Trump, and the power of visible change in uniting public support.With the Australian federal election on the horizon, what can we learn from the leadership styles of politicians across the world? Should UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer take on a ‘Trumpist’ approach to wield

An unpredictable race?

Feb 10 2025 46 mins

The Tally Room’s Ben Raue joins Democracy Sausage to talk by-election results, swing seats and what it all means for the federal election. What lessons we take from the most recent by-elections? What do they tell us about long-term shifts in Australian politics? And what are the patterns we should watch for ahead of the federal election? On this episode of

Countering effective mislabelling

Feb 03 2025 44 mins

Senator Larissa Waters joins Democracy Sausage to talk electoral reform, resisting the far right and the Greens’ ongoing negotiations. What’s stopping donations data from being revealed in real-time? Do proposed donation reforms go far enough to strengthen Australian democracy? And is the left too fractured to rise to the challenge at the next election? On

Shrinking leaders and nations

Jan 28 2025 47 mins

Cultural studies professor Graeme Turner joins Mark and Marija to compare election campaign expectations, media concerns, and ask whether Donald Trump’s return could affect Australian democracy. Can we expect Peter Dutton to adopt a Trump-style for the upcoming election? Could such a campaign ever gain traction in Australia? And if it did, would the government h