Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

Historian Frank Bongiorno and political scientist Marija Taflaga join Democracy Sausage to look back on 2024 and ahead to upcoming election year.  After a turbulent year for democracy, does incumbency offer an advantage anymore? What does this say about the Albanese government’s chances next year? And what is Peter Dutton’s vision for Australia (and what are his policies to achieve it)?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Frank Bongiorno and Dr Marija Taflaga join Professor Mark Kenny to reflect on the year that was and make some forecasts about the political future ahead of us. Frank Bongiorno is a Professor at the ANU School of History. He is President of the Australian Historical Association and the Council for the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia, the Australian Academy of the Humanities and a Whitlam Institute Distinguished Fellow at Western Sydney University.  Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Australian Politics Studies Centre 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.

Teen journalist Leonardo Puglisi and youth justice expert Faith Gordon join Democracy Sausage to discuss social media bans. How can we manage the very real harms of social media – for young people and society? Is the youth social media ban the first step towards safer social media or purely performative? And can large tech and social media companies be regulated?   On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Mark Kenny is joined by Leonardo Puglisi, managing director of 6 News Australia, and Associate Professor Faith Gordon to discuss the blunt instrument of youth social media bans. Leonardo Puglisi is Chief Anchor and Managing Director of 6 News Australia – a channel to reflect young people’s voices.    Faith Gordon is an Associate Professor and Deputy Associate Dean of Research at the ANU College of Law. She has expertise in areas including youth justice, children’s rights, criminal law, digital technologies, media regulation, and young people and politics.  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.

Mark Kenny and Marija Taflaga discuss the final sitting week of 2024, what drives political deal making and how politicians interpret public opinion.  With the last sitting week upon us, how long until an election is on the horizon? What do the politics behind the Greens’ shift to back Labor’s housing policy say about the current political climate? And what does the science say about how public opinion sways and influences a politician’s decisions?   On this episode, Dr Marija Taflaga joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the end of the year, deal making and how politicians interpret (or ignore) your opinions. Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Australian Politics Studies Centre 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 MPs Kate Chaney and Zali Steggall join Democracy Sausage to talk campaign finance reform and how it impacts your choice at the ballot box. Will Labor’s election finance reform bill strengthen democracy or give major parties an unfair head start? What do the details of the bill look like? And what does this tell us about major parties and their willingness to adapt to the rise of the teals?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Independent MPs Kate Chaney and Zali Steggall discuss Labor’s proposed reforms to campaign donations and spending caps. Kate Chaney is the Independent Federal Member for Curtin.  Zali Steggall is the Independent Federal Member for Warringah.    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.

Marija Taflaga and Elise Stephenson return to Democracy Sausage to discuss the ripple effects of a new Trump era. What influenced Trump’s decisive win in the US presidential election? Does this signal another global shift toward populist, strongman leaders? And what will this mean for the upcoming election in Australia?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Dr Marija Taflaga and Dr Elise Stephenson return to discuss Trump mark two, the desire for change through populist leaders, and why Australian pollies should be taking note. Elise Stephenson is the Deputy Director of the ANU Global Institute for Women’s Leadership and a Fellow at the ANU National Security College. She is the author of The Face of the Nation.  Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Australian Politics Studies Centre 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.

Former climate change envoy Howard Bamsey joins Democracy Sausage to talk about the expectations and challenges of COP29 post the U.S. election. The climate emergency is at its tipping point as world leaders prepare to meet in Baku, Azerbaijan, for the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29). But with time for change melting away as quickly as the glaciers, what impact will this year’s negotiations actually have? Do developed countries have a greater responsibility to meet targets and mobilise climate finance? And will progress towards a fossil-free future take a step backwards as the US election heats up? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Howard Bamsey joins Professor Mark Kenny to discuss the upcoming COP29 summit. Howard Bamsey is an Honorary Professor at the ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance. He is a member of the boards of the Climate Policy Initiative and Climate Works Centre. He has served as Australia’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, Special Adviser on Sustainable Development to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Special Adviser on Green Growth to AusAID. He will be attending COP29.   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.

Peter Greste joins Democracy Sausage to talk press freedom — what happens when it's taken away and how to protect it. In a world where journalists have their homes and workplaces raided under national security rounds, how can we preserve the public's right to know? With no explicit constitutional right to freedom of expression, how can Australia protect press freedom? And how do we tackle the declining levels of trust in journalism?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Peter Greste joins Professor Mark Kenny to reflect on his detention in Egypt, the ethical responsibilities of media and the perilous state of being a modern-day journalist. Peter Greste is an award-winning journalist, author and academic. He has been a foreign correspondent with the Reuters, CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera. He is also a Professor of Journalism and Macquarie University and the executive director of the Alliance of Journalists' Freedom.  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.

Julianne Schultz joins Democracy Sausage to talk about understanding ourselves, wrestling with the past and creating a more inclusive future.  What’s behind the silence and lack of post-Voice analysis? How can Australia confront its true history? And how can we modernise our democracy and constitutional processes?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Emerita Julianne Schultz joins Professor Mark Kenny to talk about the Voice and what Australia could be.Julianne Schultz is Emeritus Professor of Media and Culture at Griffith University and columnist for The Guardian. She was the publisher and founding editor of Griffith Review. Her most recent book is The Idea of Australia: A search for the soul of the nation.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.

Valerie Cooms, Virginia Marshall and Shireen Morris join us to reflect on the Voice campaign. As we pass the one-year anniversary of the Voice campaign, we reflect on whether Australians ever truly understood what they were voting for? What derailed the Yes campaign? And how do we grapple with continued the flow-on effects of this failed referendum? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Valerie Cooms, Dr Virginia Marshall and Associate Professor Shireen Morris join Professor Mark Kenny to discuss the Voice and truth telling.  Valerie Cooms is a Quandamooka woman and the Director of the ANU Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research.    Virginia Marshall is a lawyer and research fellow at ANU School of Regulation & Global Governance. She was the Inaugural ANU Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow (2017-2022).   Shireen Morris is an Associate Professor at Macquarie University Law School and Director of its Radical Centre Reform Lab. She formerly worked at Cape York Institute as a senior adviser on Indigenous constitutional recognition. She is the author of Broken Heart: A True History of the Voice Referendum.  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.

Brendan Coates and Peter Martin join Democracy Sausage to discuss fixing the housing crisis, negative gearing and capital gains tax. There has been plenty of media coverage about the Labor government asking Treasury to review negative gearing and capital gains tax rules. So how did we get here? What are the political sensitivities and missed opportunities in tackling these housing tax concessions? And would the doom and gloom predictions become reality if changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax were made?   On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Brendan Coates and Peter Martin join Professor Mark Kenny to discuss housing policy. Brendan Coates is the Housing and Economic Security Program Director at Grattan Institute.  Peter Martin AM is a Visiting Fellow at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and the Business and Economy Editor of The Conversation.    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.

Bruce Wolpe joins us to talk about the US election, October surprises and the strategy and expectations shaping this month on the campaign trail. Can we expect a continuation of the ‘October surprise’ tradition in the US election? How will foreign policy conditions, including rising tensions in the Middle East and ongoing war in Ukraine, influence votes? And which way will the swing states swing?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Bruce Wolpe returns to give us the latest from the US election campaign. Bruce Wolpe is a Senior Fellow at the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. He worked with the Democrats in the US Congress during President Barack Obama’s first term, was a senior advisor for Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and the author of Trump’s Australia.  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.

Justin Ryan and James Robertson join Democracy Sausage to discuss the rise of the independent, the pressure on the two-party system and how to get the best out of democracy. Is the declining support for a two-party system a good thing? Can the Liberals and Labor adapt to this new environment? And how can we make sure that our community’s best and brightest end up in parliament? On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Justin Ryan and James Robertson from think tank, Progressive Action Lab, join Dr Marija Taflaga and Professor Mark Kenny to discuss two-party systems, independent candidates and how to make these processes work for communities. Their discussion paper is From Decline To Dormancy: The Major Parties, Community Independents And Australia’s Void Of Democratic Participation. Justin Ryan is the co-founder of the Progressive Action Lab, a think tank focused on promoting public participation in politics and reshaping the political landscape. James Robertson is a media consultant at Progressive Action Lab and author. Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU 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 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.

Don Watson joins Democracy Sausage to discuss updates from the US election in this live recording. From debates and assassination attempts to celebrity endorsements, a lot can happen in a short amount of time in politics.  What explains the performance-like aspects of this US election campaign? How can Americans come together to mend divisions? And what is the likely outcome of the presidential race?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, author and speechwriter Don Watson joins Professor Mark Kenny to talk about the world’s so-called greatest democracy and his new Quarterly Essay, High Noon: Trump, Harris and America on the brink.  This episode was recorded as part of the ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author series. Don Watson was Prime Minister Paul Keating’s speechwriter and adviser between 1992-1996. He is the author of many award-winning and critically acclaimed books, including Caledonia Australis, Recollections of a Bleeding Heart, American Journeys, The Bush and The Passion of Private White. He is the author of a new Quarterly Essay entitled High Noon: Trump, Harris and America on the brink. 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.

Maria Maley joins Democracy Sausage to talk about what can be done to make parliament a less toxic workplace. Who is responsible for controlling bad behaviour in parliament? What norms and traditions make parliament a toxic place for women? And what changes still need to be made?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Dr Maria Maley joins Professor Mark Kenny to talk about making parliaments a safer place for everyone. Maria Maley is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Politics and International Relations at The Australian National University. Her teaching and research covers Australian politics, public administration, public policy, ministerial advisers, the public service and gender issues in political staffing. Her book, co-authored with Marian Sawer, is Toxic Parliaments And What Can Be Done About Them.   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.

Philip Martin and Alan Gamlen join Democracy Sausage to talk migration – the politics, narratives and possible solutions. From international student caps to housing, many areas of policy are connected to migration. But what is driving our increasing isolationism post-pandemic – economic factors or powerful narratives about being left behind?  How can we adjust our international governance of migration to meet humanitarian needs?  And is it possible to manage migration from the middle ground and avoid knee-jerk policies?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Emeritus Professor Philip Martin and Professor Alan Gamlen join Professor Mark Kenny to talk about dealing with the complex problems of migration and its impacts. Alan Gamlen is the Director of the Migration Hub at the ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance.    Philip Martin is Professor Emeritus of Agricultural and Resource Economics at University of California, Davis. He edits Rural Migration News, has served on several US federal commissions, worked on UN agencies and testifies frequently before Congress on labour and migration issues.   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.

Crikey’s Eric Beecher and academic Denis Muller join us on Democracy Sausage to ask how media should operate when the lines between news, opinion and political campaigning have blurred. What impact have media moguls throughout history had on our politics and democracy? How can business models and governance structures be adjusted to ensure the Australian public is served by good journalism? And how does truth compete with exaggeration in the realm of public discourse?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Eric Beecher and Dr Denis Muller join Professor Mark Kenny to discuss how to revive the news. Eric Beecher is a journalist, editor and publisher. He has been a reporter with The Age, The Sunday Times, The Observer in London and The Washington Post. He was the youngest-ever editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and the editor-in-chief of the Melbourne Herald. He was the founder of news website Crikey. He is the author of The Men Who Killed the News: The Inside Story of how Media Moguls Abused their Power, Manipulated the Truth and Distorted Democracy.   Denis Muller is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Centre for Advancing Journalism. He is a political scientist, consultant, former journalist and former editor for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Times, London.   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.

Nobel laureate and economist Joseph Stiglitz joins Democracy Sausage to talk about the global economy and freedom. In light of the recent court ruling on Google, how can we use economics to drive innovation and efficiencies? Is it possible to make capitalism work better to stop abuses of market power? And how can we allow for freedoms without curtailing the freedoms of others?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, high-profile economist and author Professor Joseph Stiglitz joins Professor Mark Kenny to discuss freedom and the winners and losers of the global economy. Joseph Stiglitz is a Professor at Columbia University, Chief Economist of The Roosevelt Institute, co-founder of the Initiative for Policy Dialogue (IPD) and the co-chair of the OECD High-Level Expert Group on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress. He is a Nobel Laureate, former World Bank Chief Economist, and best-selling author. His latest book is The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society. He was in Australia for a speaking tour with The Australia Institute.   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.

Ian Parmeter returns to discuss increasing tensions in the Middle East with Professor Mark Kenny. How can peace talks take place after the assassination of Hamas leader and chief negotiator Ismail Haniyeh? The assassination, dubbed a “grave escalation” by Hamas officials, has been perceived as Israeli action. Has this demonstration of Israeli power changed the strategic calculus in the region? And what can other nations, including Australia, do to reduce tensions?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Professor Mark Kenny speaks to Ian Parmeter about recent developments in the Middle East following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.  Ian Parmeter is a Research Scholar at the ANU Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies. Previously, he was Australia’s ambassador to Lebanon and former Assistant Director-General at the Office of National Assessments.  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.

Allan Behm joins Mark Kenny to discuss the complexities (and oddities) of the US-Australia relationship. What do the US and Australia have in common? How has Australia’s fear of abandonment influenced diplomatic relations with the US? And how should Australia project confidence and advocate for shared interests?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, international relations expert Allan Behm joins Professor Mark Kenny to discuss the US-Australia relationship.  This episode was recorded as part of the ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author series.  Allan Behm is the Director of the International & Security Affairs Program at The Australia Institute. Previously, he was Chief of Staff to Minister for Climate Change and Industry, Greg Combet (2009 to 2013), and senior advisor to the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong (2017-19). His most recent book is The Odd Couple: The Australia-America Relationship.  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.

Library leaders Marie-Louise Ayres and Cathie Warburton join us to discuss the unique role libraries can play in democratic society. What can libraries do to strengthen democracy?  How can libraries democratise access to information across polarised media, and digital and cultural divides?  And how can we improve civics education while combating misinformation and disinformation?  On this episode of Democracy Sausage, Dr Marie-Louise Ayres and Cathie Warburton join Professor Mark Kenny to discuss libraries, misinformation and democracy. Dr Marie-Louise Ayres is the Director-General of the National Library Australia. She was a member of the executive team responsible for Trove, which digitises collections from Australian libraries, universities, museums, galleries and archives.  Cathie Warburton is the CEO of the Australian Library and Information Association.  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.