Podcasts about australian democrats

Oh my god don't get RSV it's so shit. We will be back with TCRP soon. My brain has been goats cheese. It's been a hell of a fortnight but there's a lot going on and it must be laughed at. In the meantime, here is a plethora of Jacks to satiate your auspol cravings. This week the shownotes are slopped to you by GPT 5.5 - which seems to have done an okay job and also sounds a lot less 'chatGPT' which is nice. The titles are way less shit than usual. Maybe that sociopathic compulsive liar Sam Altman is onto something. Nah. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------In episode 163 of The Two Jacks, recorded on 2 July 2026, Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack take a wide-ranging look at the political, economic and sporting stories shaping Australia and the world.The episode opens with Australia's housing market, including recent house price falls, the risks facing first home buyers using the 5 per cent deposit scheme, and the dangers of negative equity. The Jacks then turn to the striking rise of One Nation, debating whether the surge is a genuine long-term disruption in Australian politics or partly a mirage fuelled by social media, disinformation and dissatisfaction with the major parties.Victorian politics comes under close scrutiny, with discussion of Moira Deeming, the Matthew Guy allegation, Jess Wilson's leadership, and Jacinta Allan's handling of the Big Build controversies. Internationally, the episode covers Andy Burnham's likely move into Downing Street, Keir Starmer's defence spending announcement, Trump-era decision-making as explored in Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman's book, congressional stock trading in the United States, and the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war.The show wraps with sport, including Ben Stokes' retirement from international cricket, England's reckless loss to New Zealand, the future of Bazball, World Cup football, State of Origin, AFL fixturing and Australia's women's cricket team reaching another World Cup final.00:00:25 — Welcome to Episode 163Jack the Insider opens the show and marks the start of the new financial year in Australia. Hong Kong Jack joins from Hong Kong, where the previous day marked Reunification Day, the anniversary of the handover to the People's Republic of China.00:01:10 — Housing Prices, First Home Buyers and Negative EquityThe Jacks begin with Australia's housing market and recent reports of price declines in suburbs with strong uptake of the 5 per cent deposit scheme. They unpack the risk of highly leveraged first home buyers falling into negative equity, where the debt on a property exceeds its current market value.Hong Kong Jack recalls the early 1990s Melbourne housing market, when banks were reluctant to sell distressed inner-suburban properties because doing so would have further damaged the market. The discussion compares that period with the global financial crisis in the United States and Ireland, where property crashes led to widespread foreclosures.00:04:00 — Can Australian House Prices Keep Rising?The conversation turns to whether Australian housing can continue producing the large capital gains many homeowners have come to expect. Jack the Insider argues that prices in Sydney and Melbourne cannot keep rising at the same pace without locking younger buyers out of the market.Hong Kong Jack makes the broader point that Australia's tax and investment settings have made owner-occupied housing unusually attractive compared with other investments, contributing to long-term affordability problems.00:06:36 — Could Money Shift from Housing to the ASX?Jack the Insider speculates that if housing becomes less reliable as an investment vehicle, more money may flow into equities and the Australian share market. The discussion also touches on the weak outlook for CBD commercial property, with work-from-home trends continuing to affect demand.00:07:25 — The 5 Per Cent Deposit SchemeThe Jacks assess the Albanese government's 5 per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers. Hong Kong Jack says it may provide some help for young people trying to enter the market, but it is not a magic solution to housing affordability.They discuss the practical challenge of borrowing large sums with very little equity, especially if prices flatten or fall. The risk for banks and borrowers is that buyers may end up with little or no equity for some time.00:10:41 — The One Nation SurgeThe episode moves to One Nation's rise in the polls. Jack the Insider notes that One Nation polled around 6.5 per cent nationally at the previous federal election but is now polling far higher, with some figures placing the party in the 20s.The Jacks discuss possible reasons for the surge, including public dissatisfaction with the major parties, the political aftermath of the Bondi terror attack, and the way right-wing voters are shifting away from the Coalition.00:11:48 — Social Media, Bots and the “Mirage” of One NationJack the Insider raises concerns about foreign influence, AI-generated videos, disinformation and bot-like social media activity targeting Australian politics. He cites examples of fake or misleading material involving Natalie Barr, Anthony Albanese and claims about Labor figures selling property after the budget.He argues that some of the online activity appears designed to attack both the government and the Coalition while indirectly benefiting One Nation. He describes part of the One Nation surge as a “mirage”, while acknowledging that real-world results, such as the South Australian election and the Farrar by-election, show the party has genuine support.00:18:20 — Is One Nation the Biggest Political Disruption Since World War II?Hong Kong Jack argues that, even allowing for some mirage factor, One Nation's polling makes it the biggest disruption to Australian politics since World War II. He compares the party's current position with the historical performance of the DLP, Australian Democrats and Greens, none of which reached similar national polling levels.Jack the Insider counters that One Nation's rise appears to be splintering the right-wing vote rather than pulling substantial support from Labor or the left. The Jacks agree the Liberal Party has a major strategic problem: it must rebuild its primary vote while deciding how directly to confront One Nation.00:21:56 — What Should the Liberal Party Do?The Jacks discuss the Liberal Party's path back to competitiveness. Hong Kong Jack says the party should stop obsessing over polls and focus on hard policy work, local campaigning and the basics of politics.Jack the Insider argues the Liberals will eventually need to attack One Nation directly. His view is that conservative voters must be told clearly that a vote for One Nation is likely to help return Labor to government or create instability.00:23:38 — Pauline Hanson, Policy Uncertainty and Senate AttendanceJack the Insider criticises Pauline Hanson's policy understanding and parliamentary work ethic, citing her position on maternity leave and Senate attendance. He argues that One Nation's shifting policy framework and uncertainty will become more apparent under greater scrutiny.The Jacks also discuss preference flows and whether the Coalition can rely on One Nation preferences if the right-wing vote remains fragmented.00:26:51 — Moira Deeming, Matthew Guy and the Victorian LiberalsThe conversation shifts to Victorian Liberal politics. Jack the Insider discusses Moira Deeming, who is likely to face disendorsement, and says Jess Wilson appears to be handling internal party discipline more effectively than previous Liberal leaders.The Jacks examine Deeming's allegation involving Matthew Guy and the CCTV footage that emerged afterward. Jack the Insider argues that the Victorian Liberals must deal firmly with internal destabilisation if they are to present themselves as a credible alternative government.00:31:00 — Don Farrell on One Nation and the Bondi AttackHong Kong Jack notes that Labor frontbencher Don Farrell has attributed One Nation's rise partly to Coalition division and partly to a post-Bondi surge. Jack the Insider questions whether the Bondi attack will become a lasting voting determinant, suggesting it may prove to be a temporary political factor.The discussion also covers One Nation and the Greens voting against proposed bans on hate preachers, despite rhetoric about the issue after Bondi.00:33:08 — Newspoll, Labor's Position and Coalition TroubleJack the Insider discusses polling showing Labor improving, One Nation slipping slightly and the Coalition struggling. He argues that the Coalition must win back a large share of One Nation's support if it is to become competitive.The Jacks consider whether One Nation has reached its high watermark or whether the movement has deeper staying power. They also note that Labor and the Greens together remain in a strong position if the conservative vote continues to fracture.00:38:08 — Jacinta Allan and Victoria's Big Build ProblemsVictorian Premier Jacinta Allan comes under scrutiny over the Big Build projects and allegations surrounding inflated costs and union influence. The Jacks discuss reporting by The Age's investigative unit and Nick McKenzie, including claims about contractors being asked whether they could do deals with unions.Hong Kong Jack says Allan's position looks increasingly terminal, while Jack the Insider says there is widespread anger among Victorians toward the government. They agree the timing of the controversy is politically damaging for Labor.00:41:07 — Could Victorian Labor Replace Jacinta Allan?The Jacks debate whether Victorian Labor has the courage or capacity to replace Allan before the election. Jack the Insider argues that taking over now would be a political kamikaze job, given the scale of Labor's problems.They compare Allan with Daniel Andrews, whom Jack the Insider describes as a much stronger communicator and political operator. The discussion also considers whether Labor still has a narrow path to victory if the right-wing vote splits between the Liberals, One Nation and other parties.00:45:35 — The Age, “Uniparty” Claims and Victorian Labor's DefendersHong Kong Jack shares a social media post attacking The Age as part of a supposed One Nation-Liberal-National “uniparty” media operation. The Jacks use it to illustrate the type of rhetoric surrounding Victorian politics and the difficulty Labor faces as corruption and governance issues dominate the debate.00:46:46 — Joh Bjelke-Petersen Comparisons and Victorian CorruptionThe conversation touches on comparisons between Victoria's current political troubles and the corruption scandals that brought down Joh Bjelke-Petersen in Queensland. Jack the Insider notes commentary suggesting that corruption can become the defining factor that ends a long-running government.They also discuss the relationship between Victorian Labor and sections of the union movement, including the role of unions in major construction projects.00:50:30 — Andy Burnham's UK ProgramThe Jacks move to UK politics and Andy Burnham's expected rise to the prime ministership. Hong Kong Jack outlines Burnham's program, including a proposal to govern partly from Manchester and devolve more power to regions and councils.Jack the Insider frames this as part of a broader devolution agenda. Hong Kong Jack is sceptical, arguing that devolution has not clearly succeeded in Scotland or Wales and may not deliver the growth Burnham is promising.00:53:59 — Keir Starmer's Defence Spending AnnouncementKeir Starmer's proposed defence spending boost comes under scrutiny. Hong Kong Jack argues the numbers do not add up and describes the announcement as “smoke and mirrors”.The Jacks also discuss Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch's performance at Prime Minister's Questions and how she may find Burnham a tougher opponent than Starmer.00:56:59 — “Died” or “Passed Away”?In a lighter aside, the Jacks discuss euphemisms around death, particularly the increasingly common use of “passed” or “passed away”. Hong Kong Jack says he prefers plain language and warns Jack the Insider not to say he has “passed” when the time comes.00:58:28 — Jonathan Swan, Maggie Haberman and Trump's Decision-MakingThe conversation moves to the United States and the book by Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman. Jack the Insider discusses material about Trump's decision-making style, particularly the tendency to favour gut instinct even when advice from officials points in another direction.The Jacks discuss US decision-making around Iran and the dangers of ignoring structured advice in favour of personal instinct.01:04:11 — AI, Congress and Insider TradingThe Jacks discuss claims that AI tools have exposed widespread conflicts between congressional stock trades and the legislative work of US politicians. The system described cross-references stock purchases with bills and committee activity.Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack stress that this is a bipartisan problem, not confined to one party or one administration. They note that the STOCK Act was intended to address congressional trading conflicts but has not produced meaningful enforcement.01:08:47 — Trump, Crypto, Wealth and CorruptionThe discussion broadens to Donald Trump's personal enrichment, including crypto ventures, the Qatar jet issue and business opportunities involving Trump family members. Jack the Insider argues that Trump appears to be benefiting heavily from his second term.Hong Kong Jack says the presidency is difficult to regulate in this area, while Congress has shown little willingness to police itself.01:13:36 — Russia-Ukraine War UpdateJack the Insider discusses Ukrainian drone strikes near Moscow, including attacks on fuel infrastructure and refineries. The Jacks note reports of fuel shortages, long queues and unrest at Russian service stations.Hong Kong Jack explains that Ukraine appears to be targeting specific refinery components that Russia cannot easily replace. The Jacks also discuss reports of Russian troop movements, the pressure on Crimea, and the possibility of political instability inside Russia if the war continues to turn against Moscow.01:18:34 — Drone Warfare and Moscow's VulnerabilityThe Jacks reflect on how drone warfare has transformed modern conflict. Jack the Insider describes footage of Ukrainian drones reaching Moscow while Russian air defences fired ineffectively.They note that when the invasion began, few expected Ukraine to hold out for years, let alone gain the upper hand in key areas through targeted strikes and technological adaptation.01:20:15 — Ben Stokes Retires from International CricketThe sports segment begins with Ben Stokes' surprise retirement from international cricket. Jack the Insider describes watching the announcement unfold during England's Test against New Zealand and says the moment shifted the entire atmosphere of the match.The Jacks argue that England's focus turned into a farewell lap for Stokes rather than a serious attempt to win or save the Test.01:22:10 — England's Reckless Chase and New Zealand's Great WinThe Jacks criticise England's approach to the run chase, including the decision to open with Stokes and the reckless batting that followed. They praise New Zealand for a disciplined, hard-fought victory and highlight Daryl Mitchell's courageous century on a difficult wicket.Hong Kong Jack says New Zealand's series win deserves major recognition, especially given their record away from home under their captain.01:25:16 — New Zealand's Strength and England's Bazball ProblemThe Jacks discuss New Zealand's strengths: preparation, fielding, resilience and intent. They contrast this with England's loose approach and the possible end of the Bazball era.Jack the Insider says Ben Stokes has been a wonderful player and match-winner but argues that England now faces serious leadership and management problems. The Jacks debate the futures of Brendon McCullum, Rob Key and England's Test setup.01:32:19 — World Cup, France and BrazilThe Jacks briefly discuss the World Cup, noting the difficulty of keeping track of the tournament but identifying France as looking particularly strong. Brazil and Norway are also mentioned as teams to watch.01:32:47 — State of Origin PreviewThe conversation turns to State of Origin, with the Blues heading to Lang Park. Jack the Insider says New South Wales have only rarely won a series decider there and does not see it happening this time.01:33:15 — AFL Fixtures and Broadcast FrustrationsThe Jacks preview upcoming AFL matches, including Geelong versus Brisbane, Sydney versus the Bulldogs, and Richmond versus Carlton. Jack the Insider questions the logic of the AFL fixture, particularly overlapping games and the lack of Saturday afternoon free-to-air football.01:36:19 — Australian Women's Cricket Team Reaches Another FinalJack the Insider notes that Australia's women's cricket team has reached another ICC World Cup final after beating India. England and South Africa are due to play for the other spot in the final.He praises the Australian side for remaining a powerful force despite changes from previous line-ups.01:37:11 — Listener Feedback and Sign-OffJack the Insider closes the episode by thanking Hong Kong Jack for his opinions and preparation. Listeners are encouraged to send in comments, criticisms and issues they would like the Two Jacks to tackle in future episodes.Hong Kong Jack jokingly asks listeners not to send anything complimentary.-- Dunno why it did this but it gave another show description? Whatever nobody is still reading at this point. Short Episode DescriptionJack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack unpack Australia's housing jitters, the risks facing first home buyers, One Nation's polling surge, and the Coalition's strategic dilemma. They also examine Victorian Labor's Big Build troubles, Jacinta Allan's leadership problems, Andy Burnham's UK agenda, Trump-era decision-making, congressional stock trading, Ukraine's drone war against Russia and a huge week in sport, including Ben Stokes' retirement and New Zealand's Test triumph over England.Long Episode DescriptionIn episode 163 of The Two Jacks, Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack begin with Australia's housing market, where falling prices in some first home buyer suburbs raise questions about the 5 per cent deposit scheme and the risk of negative equity.The major political focus is One Nation's dramatic rise in the polls. Is it a genuine realignment of Australian politics, the biggest disruption since World War II, or partly a mirage inflated by social media, disinformation and frustration with the major parties? The Jacks examine what this means for the Liberal Party, why the conservative vote is splintering, and how Labor may benefit.In Victoria, the Jacks look at Moira Deeming, Matthew Guy, Jess Wilson, Jacinta Allan and the Big Build controversies that continue to put pressure on the state government. Overseas, they discuss Andy Burnham's UK program, Keir Starmer's defence spending claims, Trump's reliance on instinct over advice, AI-driven scrutiny of congressional stock trading, and Ukraine's drone strikes on Russian fuel infrastructure.The episode finishes with sport: Ben Stokes' international retirement, England's disastrous Test loss to New Zealand, the future of Bazball, World Cup football, State of Origin, AFL fixturing and Australia's women's cricket team reaching another final.

AI slop shownotes as usual. Apologies for delay.Episode recorded: October 31, 2025Hosts: Joel Hill (Jack the Insider) and Jack (Hong Kong Jack)Episode Title Suggestions:"Halloween, Heists, and the House of Windsor""From Prince Andrew to Patriotism: A Global Round-Up""The Great Unraveling: Royals, Republics, and Rock T-Shirts""Crown Jewels, Cricket, and Cultural Appropriation""Episode 132: When Privilege Meets Reality"Show Notes with Timestamps00:00:26 - Welcome & Halloween CelebrationsThe Jacks kick off with a discussion about Halloween and All Souls Day, debating whether it's an American import or a genuine cultural celebration. Hong Kong Jack describes the costume-clad children heading to school and the refreshing lack of political correctness in Halloween dress.00:03:15 - Americanisation of Culture DebateJack challenges the hypocrisy of those who complain about American cultural influence while wearing blue jeans, sneakers, and listening to rock and roll.00:04:16 - Prince Andrew's DownfallDeep dive into Prince Andrew's stripping of royal titles and exile to Sandringham. The hosts discuss the ongoing Epstein scandal, alleged misconduct, and the monarchy's survival strategy. Jack the Insider argues this is about protecting the institution itself, not just managing Andrew's behavior.00:08:25 - Royal Entitlement & The SuccessionDiscussion of Andrew's bloated sense of entitlement, his eighth place in line to the throne, and comparisons to Edward VIII. The hosts debate whether the Royal Family can truly cut Andrew adrift or if he remains a necessary burden.00:12:36 - Copyright, Paywalls, and Making a DollarAnalysis of a copyright controversy involving an aggregator charging $100/month to over 100 prominent Australians for content stolen from behind paywalls. The Australian media's response and the broader implications for journalism funding.00:20:30 - AI and Copyright ProtectionThe Albanese government's move to enshrine copyright protections against tech giants like Meta/Facebook, which pirated millions of books to train AI models. The Productivity Commission's controversial position favoring tech companies over creators.00:24:48 - Can the Left Be Patriotic?Joe Hildebrand's campaign questioning left-wing patriotism sparks a broader conversation about what Australian values actually mean, the "Build Back Australia" movement, and why we can't manufacture cars anymore.00:32:27 - The Anzac Day RevivalTracing how Anzac Day went from near-extinction in the 1970s to becoming a major cultural touchstone, with young Australians traveling to Gallipoli, the Kokoda Track, and other war memorial sites.00:35:47 - Immigration and Cultural StrengthJack's powerful argument that the true test of patriotism is whether new arrivals see themselves as Australian and whether our culture is strong enough to absorb them—contrasting with Europe's struggles with multiculturalism.00:40:13 - Organized Crime and the Tobacco Black MarketColes announces a 57% drop in cigarette sales as Australia's tobacco excise policies create a multi-billion dollar black market. Discussion of whether reducing excise is the only way to combat entrenched organized crime.00:47:46 - Stamp Duty as a Housing BarrierReserve Bank Governor Michelle Bullock criticizes stamp duty as preventing retirees from downsizing and workers from relocating. Analysis of how $65,000 in stamp duty on a $1.5M property creates market paralysis.00:50:46 - One Nation RebrandsPauline Hanson drops her name from the party as One Nation polls at 15% and builds electoral infrastructure. Comparisons to the Australian Democrats' evolution and discussion of whether they can become a serious second-tier party.00:54:29 - The Great French Jewel HeistUpdates on arrests following the $150M Louvre heist of French crown jewels—were they criminal masterminds or idiots without an exit plan?00:55:50 - Japan's First Woman Prime MinisterJapan's impressive new conservative Prime Minister, her Margaret Thatcher connection, and the challenges of governing in Japan's volatile political environment.00:57:12 - Argentina's Milei Wins BigJavier Milei's landslide midterm victory (41% of the vote) raises questions about Trump's financial bailout and the role of foreign aid in domestic politics.00:59:15 - Gaza Ceasefire and Hamas ControlAnalysis of the fragile Gaza ceasefire, Hamas reasserting control, and the impossible dilemma of who will enforce peace when no country wants the casualties.01:02:17 - Anthony Albanese's Joy Division T-ShirtThe controversy over the PM wearing a Joy Division band t-shirt (with Nazi concentration camp origins) off the VIP plane. Jane Hume's dismissal: "Anyone wearing a rock band t-shirt is a bit naff."01:05:32 - APEC Conference in South KoreaTrump's meetings with Xi Jinping and other Pacific leaders, with results to be determined in the coming months.01:06:41 - Politicians and Fake BackstoriesFrom George Santos to Gavin Newsom claiming he lived on "Wonder Bread and mac and cheese" despite being from wealthy Getty-connected family. Kevin Rudd's "homeless" car story and Malcolm Turnbull's Double Bay childhood. The Jeanette Howard story: insisting her train driver father be called a "locomotive engineer."01:11:30 - Iran's Hijab RetreatAfter executing protesters over headscarf enforcement, Iran suddenly pulls back on restrictions. Are US and Israeli strikes forcing the regime to moderate for survival?01:13:47 - The Richest Counties FlipAndrew Neil's observation: In Eisenhower's era, Republicans won 190 of the 200 richest US counties. In 2024, Kamala Harris won 190 of the 200 richest counties—a complete reversal showing the transformation of party alignment.01:15:40 - Women's Cricket World CupAustralia's women lose to India in a thrilling semi-final despite Phoebe Litchfield's brilliance. The hosts argue it's good for the sport to not have one team dominate indefinitely.01:17:21 - Ashes Selection SpeculationDebate over Australia's top six for the Perth Test: Khawaja and Manus to open, with Smith, Head, Green, and Webster rounding out the batting order. Steve Smith's incredible captaincy stats: averaging 70 with 16 centuries.01:22:16 - England's Jofra Archer ProblemQuestions about whether England will risk selecting injury-prone Archer despite no first-class cricket since July and missing New Zealand ODI games.01:23:02 - Manchester City's Penalty DramaErling Haaland's bizarre penalty miss against Sporting Lisbon becomes an instant meme as City struggles through another challenging season.01:24:50 - NBA & NHL UpdatesRound-up of basketball and hockey action, including standout performances and playoff implications.01:26:08 - Oasis Reunion in CrisisLiam Gallagher's voice problems threaten the reunion tour. Discussion of whether the band can survive without Liam's vocals and Noel's brilliance.01:29:18 - Music RecommendationsThe hosts share their latest musical discoveries, from classic rock to contemporary artists making waves internationally.01:34:24 - Vegetarian Beef WellingtonJack's bemusement at a restaurant advertisement for "vegetarian beef Wellington"—perhaps a bit too soon after recent cultural controversies.01:35:10 - Closing & Next Week's PreviewSign-off with promises of more Trump administration coverage, US job figures, corporate layoffs, and the Democrats' failure to deliver on "jobs, jobs, jobs."Key Themes This Episode:Royal family crisis managementCopyright in the AI ageAustralian patriotism and immigrationUnintended consequences of prohibition policiesPolitical authenticity vs. manufactured backstoriesSport as cultural common groundTwo Jacks returns next week for Episode 133 with deep dives into Trump's White House, US economic indicators, and more global affairs analysis.

Carly Noble (pictured) will represent the Australian Democrats at the next Federal Election and hopes your vote will help her secure a Seat in the Australian Senate as a representative for Victoria.Carly, a mother, farmer, educator, agitator, and advocate for any environmental improvement that will benefit people generally, particularly Victorians, believes that if people work together through a "boots on the ground" approach, great things can be achieved.As part of her campaign, Carly is visiting northern Victoria, and further to the east, on the weekend of April 5 and 6.On Saturday, April 5, at 11:00 am she will be a guest at Beneath the Wisteria at the Shepparton campus of La Trobe University in North St. Beneath the Wisteria is free, bookings are unnecessary and questions about the event should be directed to Robert McLean at 0400 501 199.

In this episode of Post-Growth Australia Podcast (PGAP), we pay tribute to Dr. John Coulter, who sadly passed away in September 2024. John Richard Coulter (3 December 1930 – 6 September 2024) was a trailblazer in the conservation movement, most notably serving as Leader of the Australian Democrats in the early 1990s. In 1971, he organised an open letter published in The Australian newspaper, addressed "to those who shape Australia's destiny," urging them to recognise the limits to growth. (This episode is in memory of Dr John Coulter) John remained an executive member of Sustainable Population Australia (https://population.org.au/) (SPA) until the end of his life. Through SPA, he fearlessly challenged mainstream media for neglecting critical issues such as overpopulation and the limits to growth. In 2021, PGAP had the privilege of interviewing John at his home in the Adelaide Hills. Unfortunately, a bushfire had swept through the property a few months earlier, leaving much of the land scarred. Walking through the devastated bushland was a sobering experience and a stark reminder of the profound changes occurring as society's growth experiment entered the "decade of consequence." This interview was originally broadcast in 2021 as part of the episode World Population Day 2021 (https://pgap.fireside.fm/wpd2021). For this memorial episode, we are re-releasing that conversation, as John's thoughts, perspectives, and reflections resonate even more powerfully in retrospect. Co-hosts Mark Allen and Michael Bayliss share their reflections on the interview and John's legacy, particularly his pioneering work in the early 1970s for the broader post-growth movement. (The 1971 Newspaper open letter) A heartfelt tribute to John Coulter was penned by Dr Bob Brown: "I was sad to hear of John Coulter's death, but that sadness was quickly replaced by a celebration of John's remarkable, life-long advocacy for the environment. In his time as the Democrats' spokesperson, he was the major Australian political voice for protecting this nation's wildlife, wild regions, and oceans, as well as promoting greener living for us all. He was a gentleman but unswerving in his devotion to life on Earth. South Australia and the nation are indebted to John for a long, caring, and actively eco-saving career." One of John's final articles, "The Guiding Criminal Lie in Economics (https://johnmenadue.com/the-guiding-criminal-lie-in-economics/)", was published in Pearls and Irritations in 2024. A moving tribute in the same publication, "Vale Dr. John Coulter (https://johnmenadue.com/vale-dr-john-coulter/)", was written by former SPA President Jenny Goldie. In April 2024, John was invited to become a Patron of SPA (https://population.org.au/about/people/john-coulter/)—a role that he very much cherished during the brief months before his passing. The Post-Growth Australia Podcast will take a short break over the festive season before returning to Season Seven in January. In the meantime, we warmly encourage you to share this and other episodes of PGAP with your friends, family, and networks. You can rate and review us on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/post-growth-australia-podcast/id1522194099), and we welcome your feedback, thoughts, and suggestions for future episodes. You can contact us HERE (https://pgap.fireside.fm/contact). Remember, podcasts are rapidly becoming a key medium for mass communication and influence in the modern age. It is vital that we work together to ensure the message of Degrowth reaches a wide audience. To learn more about your PGAP co-hosts and their broader work, visit the respective websites for Mark Allen (https://holisticactivism.net/) and Michael Bayliss (https://michaelbayliss.org/). PGAP is made possible by the kind support of Sustainable Population Australia (https://population.org.au/). Special Guest: John Coulter.

Liberal candidate Nathan Conroy joins the nominees from the Libertarian Party and Australian Democrats to face a pub audience in Frankston, Victoria ahead of the crucial Dunkley by-election on Saturday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“This human condition to protect and help others is there from the moment we are born. People who feel soulless simply lack this instinct. Incorporating it into our daily routine will make all the difference.” In this Best of Series episode, we hear from Hetty Johnston AM, Founder and Former CEO & Chair of Bravehearts, on passion, resilience and negotiating with Prime Ministers.

Natasha Stott Despoja AO is a feminist trailblazer at every turn! Her tireless leadership spans decades: from the brutal politics of being Australia's youngest woman to enter Federal Parliament at the age of 26, to her 13 years as a South Australian Senator and role as youngest Leader of the Australian Democrats. That alone was unprecedented. But this unstoppable changemaker then built a stellar career post-politics that propelled her on to the global stage as a warrior for women's rights and gender equality. Natasha's impressive diplomacy as Australia's Ambassador for Women and Girls (2013-2016), and position on the World Bank Gender Advisory Council (2015-2017), won her many international admirers. In 2020 she was elected to the United Nations Committee to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). But it is her fearless leadership as the Founding Chair of Our Watch, and her advocacy of primary prevention to end horrific rates of violence against women, that has made Natasha one of the nation's most impressive current leaders. In a powerful address at the National Press Club in 2020 Natasha called out domestic violence as “one of the most heinous manifestations of gender inequality”. Natasha's story is part of our Changemaker series, in which we highlight the extraordinary efforts of some stunning, audacious and gutsy Australian women. As guest curator of a new exhibition, ‘Australian Women Changemakers', which opened at the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoAD) in June 2022, BroadTalk host Virginia Haussegger has spent hundreds of hours pouring over feminist activism and advocacy, chasing that holy grail of insight about ‘what makes a changemaker?'. In this series we explore the courage, motivations and importantly the cost of being a changemaker.BroadTalk is produced by Martyn Pearce for BroadTalk Media.Get in the picture with BroadTalk! We're now on Instagram - find us at Broadtalkers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

CHERYL KERNOT WRAPS the election campaign with No Fibs. Cheryl Kernot is a trail-blazer for women, a former Senator, leader of the Australian Democrats and former Member for Dickson. Kernot told No Fibs her special seat wins were, Goldstein and Kooyong. At the Kooyong campaign launch Cathy McGowan pulled me aside and asked me to […]Author informationWayne JanssonChief reporter & photographer at No FibsWayne Jansson is an Australian citizen journalist and photographer. He covered the seat of Indi during the 2013 federal election which saw Independent Cathy McGowan unseat Liberal Sophie Mirabella. His interests are politics and social justice. | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ |

Every election is unique, but each also presents comparisons and contrasts with elections past. In this podcast, Australian National University history professor Frank Bongiorno gives his insights into the current battle but also takes the long views of campaigns. Bongiorno talks about the role of leaders in what's often dubbed the “presidential” election age (“a kind of proxy for judgements about policy”) and how Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese are presenting themselves. The debate on wages and inflation has overtones of the arguments in the 1970s and 1980s, but “sort of minus the policy”. This was supposed to be a “khaki” election, but the khaki has faded during the campaign, perhaps unsurprisingly. Most often, Australians are solidly focused on domestic issues when they vote. The “teals” have been a special feature of this campaign. But are they a new version of other breakaways, like the Australian Democrats of old? The rise of voter disillusionment is a feature of recent elections, as is the detachment of voters from the major parties. Not so long ago, about seven in ten voters voted at each election the same way as they had voted throughout their lives, Bongiorno says, based on the ANU's Australian Election Study. But now it is just under four in ten. “That means there's a growing number of voters whose support is biddable, and the independents and minor parties are benefiting from that kind of loosening of the hold of the major parties over the voters.”

On episode 278 we are joined by our friend Lottie to break down the Australian federal election, going from major parties to minors to micro-parties to Independents. More specifically, we discuss Labor failing to challenge the Liberal partys trickle-down economics, positive changes from the Greens regarding an increased focus on addressing cost of living issues and Indigenous representation, how the Teal Independents stack up on climate change and other issues, differences between the socialist parties, the Animal Justice Party and human social justice issues, plus compulsory voting and spanking.Since we recorded this episode Nick has done a Facebook post regarding how hell be voting: https://www.facebook.com/progpodcast/posts/5835381393144149 Lottie has looked into some of the minor and micro-parties and will be voting as follows: Lower House Lottie is still working out her top 4 but it will be between: Leah Horsfall - Animal Justice Party, Emma Black Vic Socialists, Sue Bolton Socialist Alliance and Sarah Jefford Greens. 5. Peter Khalil (Labor) 6. Tom Wright (Liberals) 7. Sam Sergi (Australian Federation) 8. Irene Zivkovic (United Australia) 9. Jill Tindal (One Nation) (Vic Socialists, Socialist Alliance and Greens all agree with numbering 5-9) Senate Lottie is still working out her top 4 but it will be between: Animal Justice Party, Victorian Socialists, Socialist Alliance and Greens. 5. Reason 6. Australian Progressives 7. Fusion: Science, Pirate, Secualr, Climate Emergency (?) 8. Australian Democrats (?) 9. Labor 10. Sustainable Australia (?) 11. Legalise Cannabis Australia 12. LNP AJP how to vote (https://vic.animaljusticeparty.org/federal_election_preferences): Reason, Greens, Socialist Alliance, Legalise cannabis Victorian Socialists how to vote (https://www.victoriansocialists.org.au/how_to_vote) : Socialist Alliance, Greens, Aus Progressives, AJP, Labor Socialist Alliance how to vote (https://socialist-alliance.org/elections/federal/2022/election-campaign/people-and-planet-profit): Victorian Socialists, Greens, Reason, Animal Justice, Labor Greens how to vote (https://vote.greens.org.au/): Vic Socialists, AJP, Legalise Cannabis, Reason, Labor Vote Climate One (https://voteclimateone.org.au/): AJP, Australian Democrats, Australian Greens, Australian Progressives, Fusion: Science, Pirate, Secualr, Climate Emergency, Reason, Socialist Alliance, Sustainable Australia, Victorian Socialists Websites comparing parties and candidates on climate change and other issues: https://voteclimateone.org.au/federal-electorates/ https://voteearthnow.life/scas/?state=VIC https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/ Articles and podcasts discussed: Peter Hannam, Morrisons objection to lifting wages in line with inflation puts spotlight on pensions linked to CPI: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/may/13/morrisons-objection-to-lifting-wages-in-line-with-inflation-puts-spotlight-on-pensions-linked-to-cpi Rachel Withers, VoteSeeker: https://www.themonthly.com.au/the-politics/rachel-withers/2022/04/13/voteseeker Michelle Grattan, View from The Hill: Albaneses 43% emissions reduction target by 2030 has some political cover: https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-albaneses-43-emissions-reduction-target-by-2030-has-some-political-cover-173161 Nick O'Malley, This is what you want on climate action. What you get runs cold: https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/this-is-what-you-want-on-climate-action-what-you-get-runs-cold-20220421-p5af80.html Amy Nethery, Why teal independents are seeking Liberal voters and spooking Liberal MPs: https://theconversation.com/why-teal-independents-are-seeking-liberal-voters-and-spooking-liberal-mps-182133 Giovanni Torre, Victorian Greens reveal all-Indigenous senate ticket for Federal election: https://www.nit.com.au/breaking-historic-all-indigenous-senate-ticket-announced-by-greens-for-victoria/ Aran Mylvaganam on Radical Australia podcast: https://www.3cr.org.au/radicalaustralia/episode/aran-mylvaganam Freedom of Species podcast. Bronwyn Currie, Animal Justice Party VIC Lead Senate Candidate: https://www.3cr.org.au/freedomofspecies/episode/talking-live-export-australian-federal-election-and-mothers-day-bronwyn Clips: Johnson Over For Dinner from Peep Show, McConnell by Proper, The Apocalypse from That Mitchell and Webb Look - Season 2 Episode 5, Credit Card Roulette sketch from I Think You Should Leave (season 2), Blackadder season 4, Ludapalooza - Senator Scott Ludlam DJs at Capitol, Aran Mylvaganam on Radical Australia podcast (link above), Power Down Sound effect, Danger Danger from My Little Pony. For more in-depth show notes, including additional links, go to: https://progressivepodcastaustralia.com/2022/05/15/278/ If you enjoy the music we play on our show, check out our Spotify playlist Progressive Podcast Australia Music and Co

Is it too late for Scott Morrison to re-invent himself at this stage of the election campaign? Our guests discuss the news events of the week and their aspirations for the Australian electoral system. Cheryl Kernot, former leader of the Australian Democrats, then Labor member for Dixon and Adam Carell, Partner in EY Climate Change & Sustainability Services at Earnst & Young

Scott Morrison must now be rueing his decision to embark on a six-week election campaign, and it appears the longer it continues, the worse his position has become. Week five of the campaign commenced with a leader's debate which closely resembled a combination of a rugby scrum and an all-out brawl, before the sands of time put an end to proceedings, leaving the public no wiser as to who was the better performer.This was Nine Media's version of a leaders' debate, and a semblance of normality returned when Seven West Media hosted the final debate: at least the studio audience was able to adequately assess the performances of the two leaders and recorded a decisive victory to Anthony Albanese – 50%, to Morrison's 34%.But the election is not going to won by undecided voters housed in the studios of Australia's media moguls, and Morrison decided his best bet is to channel Donald Trump and attack lawyers, barristers – any elites will do – and push out the message that he is ‘one of the people'. Not any type of people though, but those who reside in the realms of bogan land, because it appears Morrison believes these are the people that offer him the narrowest pathway to victory: the snarlers, the anti-vaxx crowd, the disaffected, the people who believe the whole world is against them. These are not the “quiet Australians” who supposedly delivered victory to Morrison at the 2019 election, but the rowdy ones who hate everyone and everything.However, it's far too late. According to all published opinion polls, the Coalition is on track to record a massive election loss – thoroughly deserved – but the ghosts of 2019 are still haunting those who dare to make a definitive prediction. The most courageous words we can hear from political experts is that this election is Anthony Albanese's to lose, but it also has to be remembered that no political party has ever come from this far behind in the final week of a campaign, and managed to win the election. Can Morrison repeat his success of 2019? It's not impossible, but it must be close to impossible.The worst-case scenario for the Liberal–National Coalition is a Labor majority victory, coupled with a team of teal independents who create a massive buffer between them and the Coalition, pushing government out of reach. If this scenario comes to fruition, the Coalition will be out of office for a long time.And one of the forgotten parties of Australian politics – the Australian Democrats – is making a comeback and we speak to two of their candidates: Elena Mitchell and Steve Baty. Their halcyon days were well over twenty years ago, when they held nine Senate seats, and even if they manage to win one seat, it will complete a remarkable comeback, after losing their final Senate seats in 2008. And it seems like it's the right time for a political force to “keep the bastards honest”, the original slogan created by the original Democrat, Don Chipp. It's well overdue.

Natasha Stott Despoja AO is the youngest woman to ever enter Parliament, a former member of the Australian Democrats and currently sits on the United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). She has also founded not-for-profit organisation Our Watch, written a book and served on a number of charity Boards. Natasha has also been named as one of the top global influencers on gender policy.

This week STEAM Powered is doing an episode swap with History Detective by Kelly Chase. History Detective is a podcast for teachers, students and lovers of history. It delves into stories from the past that don't always get told in the textbooks. This episode is about Janine Haines. Janine Haines was a teacher with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English and Mathematics. She was a passionate advocate for girls to study mathematics and the sciences, and went on to pursue a career in politics becoming party leader of the Australian Democrats. If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe to the History Detective podcast, and if you're a teacher, every History Detective episode has resources that are aligned to the Australian Curriculum. Enjoy!

Political journalist, author and academic Dr Peter Van Onselen is used to getting predictions wrong. He even admits to this being a habit that started with his honors thesis on the Australian Democrats! He reflects on controversies and whether there are times he regrets writing certain columns at particular way or writing them at all. How does he deal with blow back? What does he think about the column he wrote on the photo should with the Prime Mniister and Grace Tame four days on? There was much to discuss - listen up, See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Adam's book Twelve Summers is out now.Twelve Summers is the story of those big memories and the big matches that accompanied them, told by one of the funniest writers in Australia. The first politician I ever interviewed – way back in 1993 – was the former leader of the Australian Democrats, Cheryl Kernot. And I’m delighted she could join us here.Cheryl was the Democrats’ Senator for Queensland from 1990 to 1997.She then left The Democrats to join the ALP, where she ran for and won the seat of Dickson in the house of representatives. It was a seat she held until 2001.I always liked Cheryl’s easy-going manner and it was during her time as leader of the Democrats that you always felt - given the right conditions, they might just challenge one of the major parties.In this interview, Cheryl discusses the highs and lows of being the third party option, the pressure politics puts on a marriage, suddenly realising you’re famous and how her nine year old grandson requested to go to question time in Canberra for his birthday.  SocialsTwitter - Adam ZwarFacebook - Adam Zwar 10 Questions with Adam Zwar is produced in part by Nearly Media.More about Out of the Question: https://www.nearly.com.au/out-of-the-question-with-adam-zwar/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit adamzwar.substack.com

You may well have thought that a certain once-potent political party, the Australian Democrats, imploded around the turn of the 21st century, and you'd be right. But they're back, with a podcast titled Keep the Bastards Honest. This week I became their first non-party guest.We spoke about a bunch of cybersecurity and other internet-related legislation that's either recently been passed or is in the process of being debated. Things that might have slipped under everyone's radar with everything else that's been going on.And I told a few stories about the party's leader 1986–1990, the late Janine Haines.Keep the Bastards Honest is available at:https://www.democrats.org.au/podcast/and in the various podcast apps.Full podcast details at:https://the9pmedict.com/edict/ktbh00005/Please consider supporting The 9pm Edict at:https://the9pmedict.com/tip/https://skank.com.au/subscribe/

Richard Bolt, with his background in electrical engineering, was the secretary of Victoria's Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. Richard spent some time in political activism as a researcher for the Australian Democrats, before assuming a variety of leadership roles in the Victorian Public Service. In this episode, we were able to discuss his vision for the Australian energy landscape, the changes in the environmental and social values of Australia, and his passion for tackling climate change. We find out what keeps Richard awake at night, and the incentives that are driving changes in Australia, and how Australia as a "technology taker” is slowly moving into electric vehicles.  Connect with Sohail Hasnie: Facebook @sohailhasnie Twitter @shasnie LinkedIn @shasnie ADB Blog Sohail Hasnie

In the penultimate episode of our Policy Forum Pod mini-series on leadership and democracy, Natasha Stott Despoja - former Senator for South Australia and member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - joins us to discuss women in leadership in Australia.Australia is still a long way from reaching gender parity in politics, with the country ranking 51st in terms of the percentage of parliamentarians who are women. Revelations throughout 2021 have also shone a light on the serious, disturbing challenges facing women in parliament, and the toxic culture that's been allowed to flourish. With research showing few are interested in a career in politics, how can policymakers ensure that there are pathways into politics for young women? What needs to change to ensure women in parliament are safe and respected? And how can greater diversity in parliament drive both policy and cultural change across the country? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Natasha Stott Despoja AO joins Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss women's political leadership in Australia, talk through some of the challenges, and chart ways forward.Natasha Stott Despoja AO is the founding Chair of the Board of Our Watch, a foundation to prevent violence against women and their children, and was previously the Australian Ambassador for Women and Girls. She was Senator for South Australia representing the Australian Democrats from 1995 to 2008.Sharon Bessell is Professor of Public Policy and Director of Gender Equity and Diversity at Crawford School of Public Policy at ANU.Arnagretta Hunter is a cardiologist, physician, and a Senior Clinical Lecturer for ANU Medical School.Policy Forum Pod is available on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Subscribe on Android or wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love to hear your feedback for this podcast series! Send in your questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes to podcast@policyforum.net. You can also Tweet us @APPSPolicyForum or join us on the Facebook group. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Natasha Stott Despoja entered the Australian Parliament in her twenties and went on to represent South Australia and the Australian Democrats for 13 years, including a period as leader. Post politics, Natasha has worked in the media and led a life of service. She is most well known for her work in gender equality and in 2020 was elected to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, becoming Australia's first member of the committee in 28 years. 

Natasha Stott Despoja burst onto the political scene in 1995 when she won a seat in the Federal Parliament as the Senator for South Australia. At 26 years old, she was, at the time, the youngest woman to be elected to parliament. In 2001 she became leader of her party, the Australian Democrats. 

Another month, another bunch of elections. In Australia, we’ve just had the ACT elections, QLD elections, and Victoria council elections. I think that’s it. Oh yeah, there’s a small North American country having a federal election counting ballots as we speak. You may have heard about it. Post-Growth still exists on the fringe and for most of us on the fringe voting can be a frustrating exercise choosing between who will lead us through several more years of growth on a finite planet. It can be even more frustrating for independents and minor parties who advocate for something better than the status quo – a seeming endless uphill climb full of long hours, campaign trails, etc. This being the case, is it better to opt out or opt in? PGAP host Michael Bayliss explores this question further with the Honourable Kelvin Thomson. Kelvin is a former member of the Labor party and since 1981 has been elected for local council, State Government and, from 1996 served as Federal member for the inner-north Melbourne electorate of Wills for two decades. Kelvin balanced longevity with a very unique and individual outlook that often put him at odds with mainstream politics. Kelvin was – and still is – an active champion for environmental conversation, campaigned against overdevelopment including the influence of property developers on political decisions, and perhaps most famously for his staunch position on population policy (https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x32ndy2). This sometimes earned him the reputation as a ‘maverick’. I prefer to see it as rare integrity. Since retiring from Federal parliament in 2016 Kelvin is now Chief of Staff for Victorian MP Clifford Hayes (https://www.cliffordhayes.com.au/) of Sustainable Australia Party (https://www.sustainableaustralia.org.au/) (SAP). Kelvin discusses with me his journey from Labor to SAP, the successes and challenges he faced during his time in and out of office and why there is a place for politics in promoting the post-growth cause. A qualifier: This podcast is made possible by Sustainable Population Australia (https://population.org.au/)(SPA) who are apolitical and therefore do not endorse any one political party. However, during this episode I highlighted several political parties and candidates who have policies that have some common ground with the post-growth movement. In addition to Sustainable Australia, you may be interested in finding out more about Animal Justice Party (https://animaljusticeparty.org/), Save The Planet Party (https://www.voteplanet.net/), New Liberals (https://www.thenewliberals.net.au/)(definitely not like old Liberals), Australian Democrats (https://www.democrats.org.au/), and Craig Walters (https://votedegrowth.info/). Know of any others? Let us know! Speaking of Sustainable Population Australia, they recently released a discussion paper debunking the myths of an ageing population. Population sustainability is not always renowned for its cheeriness, however the discussion paper – “Silver tsunami or silver lining? Why we should not fear an ageing population” (http://www.population.org.au/publications/discussion-papers/ageing) is not only a fantastic read but also quite upbeat. The discussion paper has enjoyed some positive media coverage the past week which is fantastic. You may also be interested in Kelvin's impassioned speech at SPA's 2019 AGM here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yB6gpXGXb4). And speaking on contacting PGAP, please don’t be shy! Our contact form is here (https://pgap.fireside.fm/contact). Want to feedback on any of the episodes or want to share your own post-growth ideas? I’d love to hear from you. Do you frequent Apple Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/post-growth-australia-podcast/id1522194099)s or Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/postgrowth-australia-podcast)? Then please rate PGAP and leave a review. The more reviews, the more listeners – which means the more people stop wanting more. If you’ll excuse the Paradox…. The song of choice today is from Adelaide band ‘The Tangerines.’ To find out more about The Tangerines, visit their website here (https://www.thetangerinesmusic.com/). Special Guest: THE HONOURABLE KELVIN THOMSON .

Tanya Murphy has worked on the Great Barrier Reef as a diving instructor for SunLover Reef Cruises for seven years. Her love for coral brought her to Cairns. In this interview she talks about witnessing the 2016-2017 coral bleaching events and how this led her to starting Divers For Reef Conservation. My first dive on […]Author informationJohn PrattEx RAN, RAAF & Army (yes all three) John served for 25 years in the Australian armed forces. He moved to Western Australia in 1976 with the RAAF. "I went to Don Chip's town hall meeting in Perth and became a founding member of the Australian Democrats. I was membership secretary for the WA branch." he said. John became interested in politics after reading the Club of Rome's book "Limits to Growth". He wrote several pieces for Margo Kingston's Webdiary in 2000 and covered the Kevin07 campaign in Leichhardt Far North Queensland. | Twitter |

Tanya Murphy has worked on the Great Barrier Reef as a diving instructor for SunLover Reef Cruises for seven years. Her love for coral brought her to Cairns. In this interview she talks about witnessing the 2016-2017 coral bleaching events and how this led her to starting Divers For Reef Conservation. My first dive on […]Author informationJohn PrattEx RAN, RAAF & Army (yes all three) John served for 25 years in the Australian armed forces. He moved to Western Australia in 1976 with the RAAF. "I went to Don Chip's town hall meeting in Perth and became a founding member of the Australian Democrats. I was membership secretary for the WA branch." he said. John became interested in politics after reading the Club of Rome's book "Limits to Growth". He wrote several pieces for Margo Kingston's Webdiary in 2000 and covered the Kevin07 campaign in Leichhardt Far North Queensland. | Twitter |

He's been a social worker, community radio host, drummer, activist, café manager, swampy and Senator. House of Reps candidate for Brisbane Andrew Bartlett talks to Scott about his history in activism and politics, from 4ZZZ to the Australian Democrats to the Greens.

On Policy Forum Pod this week, we talk about refugees and asylum seekers policy – both in a global context and in Australia – while also discussing the extreme politicisation of these issues and the consequences that this has brought. From the scale of the global refugee challenge to whether Australia has got its refugee policy settings right, this week, we take a look at refugee and asylum seeker policies. The panel tackle offshore processing, the politicisation of refugees, the recent medivac bill, and how all these issues might play out in Australia’s upcoming federal election. Our presenters Sharon Bessell and Martyn Pearce, also take a look at government accountability, as well as social welfare schemes that may have been doing more harm than good. They also take a look at some of your questions and comments. This week’s panel consists of: Bina D’Costa is Senior Fellow/Associate Professor in the Department of International Relations in the Coral Bell School. She is also the school’s Deputy Director of Education. Bina’s research interests span migration and forced displacement; children and global protection systems; gender-based violence in conflicts; and human rights and impunity. Marianne Dickie is a Senior Academic in Migration Law with the ANU College of Law and an Immigration Case Worker for Senator Larissa Waters. As an academic, she regularly contributes to Senate inquiries, law reviews and public commentary. Prior to working at the ANU Marianne was the immigration advisor for the Australian Democrats. Mark Kenny is a Senior Fellow in 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. Our presenters for this week’s podcast are: Sharon Bessell is the Director of the Children’s Policy Centre at Crawford School, and Editor of Policy Forum’s Poverty: In Focus section. Martyn Pearce is a presenter for Policy Forum Pod and the Editor of Policy Forum. Show notes | The following were referred to in this episode: Crawford School of Public Policy courses Multimillion-dollar contract between Paladin Security and Department of Home Affairs Billion-dollar empire made of mobile homes Centrelink payments cut for jobactive participants Government dole scheme for Indigenous communities Poverty in Britain and Philip Alston’s findings Joe Hockey’s comment on ‘lifters and leaners’ Refugee Council of Australia’s submission on inquiry into treatment of asylum seekers and refugees More information on medevac bill Global Social Policy course... See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this very special episode of Knowing Animals I speak to Andrew Bartlett. Andrew is a long standing animal advocate. He has been President of Animal Liberation Queensland, a Senator with the Australian Democrats and a Senator with the Australian Greens. In this interview we talk about live animal exports, sitting in parliament and decades of work for animals.    This episode of Knowing Animals is brought to you by AASA. AASA is the Australasian Animal Studies Association. You can find AASA on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/AASA-Australasian-Animal-Studies-Association-480316142116752/. Join AASA today!   The call for papers for the next AASA conference is now open! The conference will be held in Christchurch, New Zealand, July 1 – July 4th, 2019. More information is available here: http://animalstudies.org.au/archives/6303.    This episode of Knowing Animals is also brought to you by MC Pony. MC Pony brings you Mindful Rhymes for Kinder Times. Check out MC Pony at www.veganthused.com.  

Dr Elisabeth Kirkby shares insights from her lifetime of vocational pursuits. Lis was a theatre actress in Britain, a radio broadcaster in Singapore and Malaya, and a star of the Australian television soapie 'Number 96' before becoming a parliamentarian and state leader for the Australian Democrats political party. At the age of 93, Lis graduated with a doctorate from the University of Sydney.

#auspol member Denise Shrivell finishes the first week of the 2017 Australian Parliament with a wide ranging, in-depth conversation with ex-leader of the Australian Democrats and Labor Politician - Cheryl Kernot. Cheryl generously shares her insights on Corey Bernardi (he should have left Parliament), other politicians such as George Brandis (stalked her), the adversarial structure of politics, the origins of 'Keep the Bastards Honest', can you compare Malcolm Turnbull with Keating this week? - and a lot more. This is a must listen to for anyone with an interest in Australian politics.