He used to co-host Australian Idol but this year James Mathison ran against former prime minister Tony Abbott for the federal seat of Waringah as an independent.

In this chat James explains why he decided to run, his frustrations with the current political deadlock in Australia, the limitations of election campaigns and his predictions of a new progressive movement on the horizon.

Plus he shamelessly advertises Coke.

Boundless Plains To Share at the Belvoir Theatre, January 2017

Comedy 4 Karma in Daylesford, Saturday October 15th

I'll be appearing in season 2 of SBS's First Contact in November

Walk Together 2016 is happening on Saturday October 22nd

#OurBrothersOurSisters on raisely.com

Me on Guardian's Token podcast

Me on Brendon Burns' Dumb White Guy podcast, Part 1 // Part 2

@jamesmathison

jamesmathison.com.au

This week's episode of Q&A

Article: CEOs bank on bonuses as average Australian worker left to flounder

Article: We're two-faced about 'wasting' money on welfare

Article: James Mathison wants to create a new progressive political movement to target the far right

Article: Thoughts on Junket 2016

Article: Leaked UNHCR report - Manus Island's world's worst

Cause of the Week: Barnados (barnados.org.au)