• Race for the base
    Jun 16 2026

    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 to discuss the threats to Labor and the Liberals and what they need to do to arrest the decline in the polls.

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

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    53 mins
  • Contest for the populist vote
    Jun 9 2026

    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 drift towards populism and nationalism in liberal democratic countries.

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

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    53 mins
  • China in the world
    Jun 2 2026

    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 registration system - impacting cohesion?


    China expert, Graeme Smith joins Mark to discuss China, and our relationship.

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

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    38 mins
  • A Democracy Sausage for the Teacher
    May 28 2026

    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 amongst young voters.

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

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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Budget, Smudge-it: truth, details and the aspiration wars
    May 22 2026

    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’s budget, Angus Taylors’ reply and the challenges of ‘getting it right’ in today’s volatile political and economic landscape.

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

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    58 mins
  • Budget fight
    May 19 2026

    Has the social deficits of broken promises put the government 'on the ropes'? Could Labor have 'pulled their punches' in this budget? Does the zeitgeist allow governments to adjust the status quo?


    Join Mark and Marija from the 'ringside seats' as they analyse labors 'chin-leading' budget.

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

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    49 mins
  • By-election tea leaves
    May 12 2026

    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 have the party discipline to grow into an effective alternate party government?


    Psephologist Ben Raue and Political scientist Dr Jill Sheppard join Democracy Sausage live in the Lowitja O’Donoghue Cultural Centre to dissect the Farrer by-election result and its implications, if any, on politics beyond.

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

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    58 mins
  • Democracy and the fiscal paradox
    May 5 2026

    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'.

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

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    56 mins