Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

Join Democracy Sausage co-hosts to discuss the US, domestic fiscal debates and what to expect in the weeks ahead. 

What will the agenda be for the Albanese-Trump meeting at the G7, especially with the unfolding instability in the US? What does the conversation around the proposed changes to superannuation taxation say about our expectations for government? And how will Sussan Ley and Anthony Albanese change...

Former Attorney-General George Brandis joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the Liberal Party’s “Jack Kerouac political experience” and wider political trends.  

Is the Liberal Party’s shift to the right a more recent trend or has it been a long time coming? Does the party still need to find itself? And is it finally time for gender quotas? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor George Brandis KC...

The hosts of Democracy Sausage are joined by political scientist Jill Sheppard and ANU students to gauge the current state of politics. 

Will the tensions between the Liberal and National parties be a shot in the foot or an opportunity to reshape the parties? What questions and issues linger for Australia’s young people after the federal election? And what will it take for a Liberal party to connect with young people?&...

Correspondent Jason Koutsoukis joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the latest power plays, election missteps and the lost heart of the Liberal party. 

How did the Liberal party misjudge the election? Now returned to power, can Labor deliver on its election promises? And is Sussan Ley up to the task of reshaping a Liberal party adrift? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, journalist Jason Koutsoukis joi...

Political scientist Dr Jill Sheppard and independent electoral analyst Ben Raue unpack the latest results on seats and preference flows, the cabinet battles in the party room and the two-party system.  

With some of the election dust settled, what does it tell us about the relevancy of two-party preferred polling? Can Albanese maintain party unity with a landslide victory, a huge backbench and a diversity of voices? An...

Join the hosts of Democracy Sausage for a discussion about Labor’s victory and what it means.  

What can we expect from Albanese’s leadership approach the second time around? Can we expect Labor to continue to have the same level of unity? And how can the Liberals rebuild after their election defeat?

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Mark Kenny and Dr Marija Taflaga discuss the outcome of the 20...

In the final week before ballots are counted, Jill Sheppard and Frank Bongiorno join Democracy Sausage for a live discussion where they sink their teeth into the 2025 federal election. 

Who won the four debates, and do they even change people’s minds? In a scenario where we end up with a minority government, what can we expect from the crossbench? And which questions still remain in our live audience’s minds? ...

Data analyst Simon Jackman joins Democracy Sausage to chat about the polls, swing seats and how the global uncertainty is impacting this election.  

When did Labor’s recovery start? How has uncertainty in the US influenced the framing of this election and left the Coalition vulnerable? And does this election cycle point to any changes in how the major parties operate? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausag...

Political communications expert Andrea Carson joins Democracy Sausage to discuss social media, misinformation and disinformation and what ideas, if any, are actually landing with a disengaged electorate.  

Which campaign messages are cutting through in both traditional and social media? Are mis- and disinformation seducing the electorate any more than in the past? And are we now seeing social media impact not...

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? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor F...

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 this election? 

On this episode of Democr...

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? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, economist Kr...

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 citizenship will migration be a key issue in the upco...

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 Australia? 

On this episode of Democracy Sausage, ...

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 federal election? And what factors are driving P...

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 wielding executive power? And why are quick wins so impo...

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 Democracy Sausage, Ben Raue joins Professor Mar...

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 this episode of Democracy Sausage, Senator Lari...

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 hold it off? Or have portfolio governance changes an...