Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny Podcast

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is a weekly podcast produced by the Australian Studies Institute and ANU (Communications & Engagement).

Episodes deconstruct politics and public affairs at the national and international level, drawing on researchers at ANU and beyond as well as press gallery journalists.

About Mark Kenny

Mark Kenny is Director of the Australian Studies Institute at the Australian National University and the inaugural FASIC Australia-in-China Fellow.

He joined ANU after a high-profile journalistic career culminating in 6 years as chief political correspondent and national affairs editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times.

A popular columnist, Kenny is a fixture on the ABC's Insiders program and is a sought-after broadcast commentator within Australia and across the world.

Based in Canberra for nearly three decades, he has reported from locations as diverse as Kandahar and Copenhagen, Bucharest, Beijing and Berlin.

A continuing member of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery, he also served as an elected director of the National Press Club for over a decade.

Kenny was made a Visiting Fellow at ANU in 2018 and took up a full-time academic post at the Australian Studies Institute in 2019.

His research interests include national politics, democracy, and the rise of authoritarian populism. Democracy Sausage is available on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Episodes

12
May
2026

Democracy Sausage Episode: By-election tea leaves

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…

05
May
2026

Democracy Sausage Episode: Democracy and the fiscal paradox

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…

29
Apr
2026

Democracy Sausage Episode: Litmus test for Sir Keir’s leadership

After a landslide election victory, why has Labour plummeted in the polls? Can Sir Keir’s leadership survive and who are the likely contenders? Will the conservative party…

21
Apr
2026

Democracy Sausage Episode: Crisis in orthodox politics

With One Nation polling plateauing, can Barnaby Joyce reinvigorate a party without policy and remain ahead of a Coalition veering to the right? What does…

14
Apr
2026

Democracy Sausage Episode: Stormy waters

Have the US achieved their principle objectives in Iran? Will the US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz improve the US negotiating position? Will Australian naval…