How has the preferential voting system masked the decline of the major parties and why is the decline worse for the Liberals and Nationals? Can One Nation capitalise on the trend? How does ‘voter softness’ play out amongst the ‘aggrieved’,and what lessons are there from similar democracies?

Social and political data scientist, Shaun Ratcliff joins Democracy Sausage to discuss new polling on the realignment of the Australian political landscape.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What were the structural factors in the split of the coalition? How did the culture wars and deindustrialisation change the conservative base? Can the liberals regroup to become an effective opposition?

Former federal politician, Jason Falinski joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the fractures within conservative politics, the challenges of opposition and the opportunity for Sussan Ley, and the Liberal Party in the wake of the dissolution.

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How did the politicisation of a national tragedy backfire for Sussan Ley? Can the coalition survive? Who will reign supreme in the fight for the right?

With an early return to federal parliament, political scientist, Dr Jill Sheppard joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the politicisation of a tragedy and the deep divisions within the federal coalition and conservative parties in Australia.

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National Affairs journalist, Jason Koutsoukis joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the year that was, an historic election victory, the vexed question of political authority, and declining trust in major parties.

Will Albo develop a significant reform agenda in 2026 or will he stick to the modest election promises that delivered him a landslide election victory? Can Labour effectively manage a progressive Senate and will Democracy Sausage LIVE return in 2026?

Jason Koutsoukis is a highly experienced and well-regarded Australian journalist with a strong background in both political and foreign correspondence.

Marija Taflaga is the Director of the Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a senior lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations.

Mark Kenny is the Director of the Australian Studies Institute. He came to the Australian National University after a high-profile journalistic career culminating in 6 years as chief political correspondent and national affairs editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Historian and author Frank Bongiorno joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the year that was, a landslide federal election victory, the rise of Teal and independent politicians and the split in the conservative Coalition.

Will Labour grasp the reform ‘nettle’ and tackle complex structural issues facing Australia or will Albo take a small C approach to governing? Can the Liberal party survive in a new political landscape and are Australians getting the democratic system they deserve?

Frank Bongiorno AM is an Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University, Donald Horne Professor and inaugural Director of the Centre of Public Ideas (COPI) at the University of Canberra.

Dr Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a Lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations.

Mark Kenny is the Director of 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.

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.

This podcast is produced by The Australian National University.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political journalist and author Sean Kelly joins Democracy Sausage to discuss his Quarterly Essay examining the Albanese government and asks what today's Labor actually stands for.

Why has Labor become a graveyard of lost futures, discarding reform policies after political failures? Can Anthony Albanese's vision of 'kindness' translate into material policy? And has Labor's 94-member caucus become toxically obedient, failing to provide the internal opposition necessary for good government?

Sean Kelly is a political journalist, author and former adviser to prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. His Quarterly Essay The Good Fight: What Does Labor Stand For? is the landmark 100th essay in the series, published by Black Inc.

Dr Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a Lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations.

Mark Kenny is the Director of 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.

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.

This podcast is produced by The Australian National University.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Independent ACT Senator David Pocock joins Democracy Sausage to challenge both major parties on climate policy, gambling reform and political transparency.

Have gas companies captured both major parties on energy policy? Why won't Labor ban gambling advertising when 80% of Australians support it? And why do universities have governance structures that lack basic accountability mechanisms found in well-run companies?

Senator David Pocock is an independent Senator for the Australian Capital Territory, elected in 2022 and re-elected in 2025.

Dr Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a Lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations.

Mark Kenny is the Director of 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.

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.

This podcast is produced by The Australian National University.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special live recording from the 2025 Whitlam Symposium, Mark hosts a star-studded panel discussing the 50th anniversary of the Dismissal.

Was Sir John Kerr's decision to dismiss Gough Whitlam constitutionally correct but politically catastrophic? Did Malcolm Fraser's blocking of supply in the Senate represent an abuse of power, or legitimate opposition tactics? And has the Dismissal left lasting scars on Australia's public trust in democratic institutions?

Distinguished Professor George Williams AO is Vice-Chancellor of Western Sydney University and one of Australia's leading constitutional lawyers.

The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP is the Member for Isaacs and former Commonwealth Attorney-General.

The Hon Justice Michael Lee serves on the Federal Court of Australia.

Julia Baird is an ABC journalist, broadcaster, and author.

Troy Bramston is a journalist with The Australian and author of the new biography Gough Whitlam: The Vista of the New.

The Hon Amanda Vanstone AO is a former Liberal Senator for South Australia and Howard Government minister.

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.

Recorded live at ANU in partnership with the Whitlam Institute (whitlam.org).

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