Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

Have Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender just become the party they always swore they weren't? Can a "free vote" constitution and no party room really survive contact with a Senate seat? Does the donation and spending caps from the last parliament leave community independents with no real choice but to collectivise? And what happens to "putting community first" the moment a hung parliament forces a deal?

Zali Steggall and Al...

How did a Prime Minister who won one of the largest parliamentary majorities in British history find himself gone within two years — and what does his fate tell us about the limits of triangulation politics? Is Andy Burnham's victory a genuine realignment moment for British Labour, or is he inheriting a structurally broken state where no leader can succeed? With Reform UK on the march and the North-South divide wider than the...

How long will the honeymoon last for One Nation? Can Pauline Hanson create a robust political party to be competitive at the next election? How do populist leaders like Trump, Farage, and Hanson convince the working class that their wealthy backers back them? 

With One Nation rising in the polls, Special Correspondent at the Saturday Paper, Jason Koutsoukis joins Mark and Marija ...

Does the experience in the US, Germany, and Brazil reflect the Australian experience? How have institutional structures insulated centrist parties against new political threats? Can the rise of anger captured by the populists be effectively tested, and has Mayor of New York, Zohran Mamdani shown the way? 

Dr Rüçhan Kaya joins Mark and Marija to discuss the dri...

Can Australia manage the tensions between our strategic relationship with China and the alliance with the United States? Does membership of AUKUS and the Quad damage our China relationship? How significantly are societal and economic issues - such as the role of women in decision making, aging population, corruption and the household regi...

Have young voters lost faith in the major political parties and politics in general? Did the recent federal budget go far enough in addressing the generational wealth gap and what will it take for political parties to successfully engage young voters?

In this special classroom edition of Democracy Sausage, Dr Jill Sheppard joins the DS team and heads back to school (literally) to discuss the growing distrust in politics amo...

Will the budget changes reconnect young and disaffected Australians to the benefits of the economy? Is Angus Taylor’s vision likely to arrest the decline in support to One Nation? Is the ALP open to creating a sovereign wealth fund as outlined by Pauline Hanson? 

Treasurer of Australia, Dr Jim Chalmers joins Marija and Mark to discuss last week&rsqu...

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 ha...

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'.

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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 ...

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...

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 A...

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. 

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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 Bongiorn...

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 Sausag...

What were the domestic pressures in Israel and the US for attacking the Iranian regime? Has the international rules-based order been permanently eroded or is the current conflict lawful? How does the Australian government plan consular service responses in a time of conflict and what is the IDETF? 

Career diplomat and foreign policy observer, Andrew Goledzinowski joins Democ...

Can Angus Taylor rebuild public confidence in the Liberal Party and will Migration play out well for them? What are the risks for Angus Taylor in the Farrer by-election? Will One Nation capitalise on the disarray in the Liberal party?

‘Live to tape’ at the Australian National University, political scientist, Jill Sheppard and The Saturday Paper national affairs correspondent, Jason Koutsoukis join the DS te...