Is big policy reform still possible? Does Australia have the political will to tackle generational issues such as climate change, the housing crisis, rising inequality and Closing the Gap?

Legendary Labor policymaker Jenny Macklin believes that if Australia wants to remain prosperous and fair, big policy reform is not just possible, it's essential. 

Listen to our May John Cain Lunch, with Labor’s Jenny Macklin and co-author Joel Deane.

Purchase "Making Progress: How good policy happens?" here.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

Gippsland has proudly powered Victoria for generations. Now it’s forging a new energy future, powered by abundant resources of offshore wind and community spirit. Senator Jess Walsh details her experience with Gippsland’s community driven energy shift, the critical role of government in making it happen, and how to cut through the nuclear noise to focus on real, sustainable solutions.

Jess spoke at Per Capita's monthly John Cain Lunch in April 2025.

Help support our work and be part of change. Donate to Per Capita: https://percapita.org.au/donate/

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

An inside look at effective policy making, realised through hard-won public policy battles. What does successful public policy look like, and how has it been achieved in Australia?

John Brumby and Stuart Kells, co-authors of "In A Better Australia" joined Per Capita for their March John Cain Lunch.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

In the latest episode of Re:CAP, Emma Dawson is joined by professor Miranda Stewart to unpack her keynote address from the Community Tax Summit, as well as discuss some of the other takeaways from the summit. 

Join our new early career policy network for policy professionals, students and anyone interested in learning more about how they can influence policy and politics to build an Australia based on fairness, shared prosperity and social justice - Per Capita's Policy Hive. 

For more on our research and advocacy, visit the Per Capita website.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

All our lives, we’ve been told that hard work leads to economic security and a good life. For many younger Australians, particularly those without family wealth, this now feels like a lie.

Instead of being able to set up their lives, young people are loaded up with increased education and housing debt, or stuck paying unaffordable rents to grow the wealth of others, all while real wages decline.

Hear from Think Forward’s Thomas Walker about the “Tax Wealth Not Work” campaign, and from Per Capita’s Emma Dawson about the upcoming Community Tax Summit.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

An idealist as well as a pragmatist, and someone who believes passionately in equality, democracy and empowerment, Race Mathews has inspired and mentored many.

Drawing on a memoir Race began, but did not finish, and interviews, articles, speeches, books and her own diaries, Iola Mathews, journalist, author and Race’s partner for over fifty years, provides personal insight into the life and work of one of our most highly respected politicians. 

Recorded 20 November 2024 at Graduate House, Melbourne University.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

Housing affordability is one of the defining issues of the Australian political landscape today. Our housing market and housing policy are failing a significant proportion of the Australian people. This crisis has been long in the making; the result of decades of deliberate choices.

Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessness, delivers the John Cain Oration for 2024 at the State Library of Victoria.

Recorded Wednesday 13 November 2024.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

Read the script transcript here.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

Re:CAP returns this week with a new episode that looks at Per Capita’s new report, The Way In 2024.

Emma Dawson is joined by Emeritus Redmond Barry Professor Janet McCalman to help us unpack our findings around education pathways into the 47Th parliament.

Check out our latest blog post "How the Federal Government Represents You."

Read the full report, The Way In 2024, here.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.