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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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'.

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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 capitalise on Labour’s disfunction, or is Reform UK set to benefit from record levels of dissatisfaction with government? What are the parallels with Australian politics and who is the Prince of Darkness?

Australian expat, Elizabeth Ames, joins Democracy Sausage to talk UK politics ahead of the litmus test Council elections in early May.  

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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 the Liberal party stand for and will the unity ticket with the Nationals survive? Will Labour capitalise on changing public sentiment and start an agenda of significant reform or stick to Albanese incrementalism, and how will the conflict in the Middle East temper this year’s budget ambition? 

James Massola joins Democracy Sausage to discuss the race for second in Australian politics.

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