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Artwork for Democracy Sausage

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

The Australian National University
Australia
Australian Politics
Labour Party
United States
Liberal Party
Climate Change
Labor Party
Donald Trump
One Nation
Peter Dutton
Democracy
Economic Policy
Coalition
Keir Starmer
China
Myanmar
Political Pragmatism
Migration
Anthony Albanese
Climate Finance

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes414Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsGovernment

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Artwork for Democracy Sausage

Latest Episodes

Why has the Fraser government been so overlooked, by Labor and the Liberals alike? What did a government with progressive, conservative and reactionary wings get done in a time of global upheaval? Why does Malcolm Fraser's era sound so familiar in 20... more

Why are Australia's publicly funded universities some of the least accountable institutions in the country? What went wrong at the University of Wollongong, and what does it reveal about who really runs our universities? Has rudeness in public life b... more

How has the attack on Helen Haines changed the conversation about political violence in Australia? Are the US midterms about to become a referendum on an unpopular president? Could Democrats take the Senate, with Texas, Michigan and Kansas suddenly i... more

Why are Australia's least resilient communities turning to One Nation? What happens when the major parties take their heartland seats for granted? Can Labor's "shallow" 2025 win hold together in 2028?

Redbridge Group director Kos Samaras joins Mark a... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Joshua Black
Historian and guest editor of a special issue on the Fraser years
Australian National University
Episode: The not-so-wasted years
Sarah Kaine
New South Wales Labor MLC, former academic and chair of a parliamentary inquiry into university governance.
New South Wales Parliament
Episode: The corporate capture of our universities
Bruce Wolpe
Senior Fellow at the United States Studies Centre, author and former Capitol Hill staffer
United States Studies Centre
Episode: Midterm reckoning: Trump, Texas and a test for democracy
Kos Samaras
Director at Redbridge Group
Redbridge Group
Episode: The One Nation vote: a map of government neglect
Paul Strangio
Author of The Alchemy of Leadership, Seven Australian Prime Ministers in a Turbulent 21st Century
Melbourne University Press
Episode: The Alchemy of Leadership
Jim Chalmers
Treasurer of Australia
Australian Government
Episode: Forty Years On
Liz Allen
Demographer at the ANU Centre for Social Policy Research
ANU Centre for Social Policy Research
Episode: Forty Years On
Allan Behm
Former public official in the Defense and Strategic Policy area
Independent security analyst / author of New Game, New Rules
Episode: New game, new rules
Kate Chaney
Independent member for Curtin
Australian Parliament
Episode: Whose Side Are You On?

Hosts

Mark Kenny
Political journalist and director of the Australian Studies Institute
Marija Taflaga
Researcher at the School of Politics and International Relations

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 706 ratings
  • Excellent content, especially if the guest is allowed time to talk

    I’ve been listening for a long time now. Very informative on Australian politics with excellent detail. The best shows are when the guest gets to talk… please!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    super goes to the pond
    Australia3 months ago
  • Maria rants

    Maria Tafluga loves to rant and rave and dominate the microphone. Punishing.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Nardi Numbat
    Australia3 months ago
  • Job (un) ready

    What a surprise - it is all John Howard’s fault.

    Hey left wing hacks how about blaming Albo for your problems

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    RJGS1
    Australia3 months ago
  • Love the show

    Big fan of Marks dryness, but a massive fan of Maria, been tempted to look online for her classes as I enjoy her takes and the way she educates.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kevin hart sucks
    Australia4 months ago
  • Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender

    Thank you for the interview with Zali Steggall and Allegra Spender - very pleased they are taking things forward with the new political party. More from them please.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BH LT
    Australia4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Marija Taflaga's expertise and teaching style earn praise, while others find her contributions too academic or lengthy.
Reviews mention occasional audio problems and overlapping voices, particularly in group or live discussions.
Mark Kenny's interview style and dry humor are appreciated, though some listeners feel he can dominate conversations.
Some listeners want guests to have more uninterrupted time and the discussion to be less dominated by the hosts.
Listeners praise the detailed Australian political coverage, informed analysis and strong selection of guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#153
Australia/News
Apple Podcasts
#172
Argentina/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The not-so-wasted years
Q: What was the relationship like with the US in the Fraser years?
Black says Fraser valued the Commonwealth as a way to engage with the wider world beyond the United States, while also paying close attention to the US relationship. The election of Jimmy Carter raised Australian concerns about being sidelined in global policymaking, making the prime minister's office and influence important.
The not-so-wasted years
Q: Who was Malcolm Fraser, and why is he in some ways either overlooked or looked at very reductively?
Black describes Fraser as a complex, patrician conservative whose government faced economic, geopolitical and social upheaval. Both Labor and Liberal narratives helped reduce the period to a footnote, despite its lasting policy changes and internal contradictions.
The corporate capture of our universities
Q: What actually happened at the University of Wollongong?
Kaine describes an interim vice-chancellor who worked for consultancy Corda Mensa and whose answers to the inquiry and ICAC differed. ICAC questioning revealed an undeclared conflict of interest and efforts to secure university work for the consultancy.
The corporate capture of our universities
Q: What does corporate capture of a university look like for a student coming to study?
Kaine says universities have lost sight of their broader public purpose as corporate priorities and bottom-line thinking shape course offerings and research. This can limit student choice and narrow research priorities.
Midterm reckoning: Trump, Texas and a test for democracy
Q: Can you give us a bit of background? This one seems to be in play for the Democrats. It's a long-held hope for the Democrats, but they usually never get there.
Wolpe explains how midterm elections function as a referendum on the president, then describes Trump's low approval and economic pressures as factors helping Democrats. He says they are positioned to retake the House and have a chance at the Senate, with several key races becoming competitive.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Democracy Sausage

What is Democracy Sausage about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Weekly conversations about Australian politics, public policy and democratic life, led by journalist Mark Kenny with political scientist Marija Taflaga. The format combines interviews with researchers, politicians, public officials and political commentators with discussion between the hosts. Topics range from party strategy, elections and leadership to universities, gambling regulation, migration, media, foreign policy and the pressures shaping Australian society. Guests bring academic research, policy experience and political reporting to current debates, often connecting immediate controversies with longer histories and institutional questions. The mix of expert interviews and analysis makes this a fit for listeners who want more context... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Democracy Sausage?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Democracy Sausage:

1. Australian Politics
2. Politics Now
3. Politics with Michelle Grattan
4. Full Story
5. Grattan Institute

How many episodes of Democracy Sausage are there?

Democracy Sausage launched 8 years ago and published 414 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Democracy Sausage?

Recent guests on Democracy Sausage include:

1. Joshua Black
2. Sarah Kaine
3. Bruce Wolpe
4. Kos Samaras
5. Paul Strangio
6. Jim Chalmers
7. Liz Allen
8. Allan Behm

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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