Uncommon Sense

Award-winning author and Emeritus Professor of Politics at La Trobe University Judith Brett came in to talk about her book, From Secret Ballot to Democracy Sausage: How Australia Got Compulsory Voting. Amy and Judith discuss the history of Australias democratic system of government, the political philosophy that underpins it, and how Australia got compulsory voting while most other nations did not; Macquarie University historian Associate Professor Michelle Arrow joined Amy to talk about her book, The Seventies: The Personal, the Political and the Making of Modern Australia. She details the great social transformations that took place in Australia during the 1970s - particularly the womens liberation movement, and the push for gay and lesbian rights. Plus Ben Eltham from New Matilda on the latest in federal politics.

Professor David Walker, a historian fromDeakin University,discusses his essay inAustralian Foreign Affairs,'Great Australian divide: The Western outpost faces the Asian Century.' It concerns the history of Australia's relationship with Asia and the surprising origins of the multicultural spirit in 19th century Australia.

Upper house member of Victoria's state Parliament and Leader of the Reason Party Fiona Patten stopped by to talk about what life in the 60th Victorian Parliament is like, and her current policy priorities, including drug law reform. Professor David Walker, a historian from Deakin University, discusses his essay in Australian Foreign Affairs, 'Great Australian divide: The Western outpost faces the Asian Century.' It concerns the history of Australia's relationship with Asia and the surprising origins of the multicultural spirit in 19th century Australia.New Matilda'sNational Affairs Correspondent Ben Eltham discussed the latest in federal politics.

New Zealand politician, economist and feminist legend Marilyn Waring talks about the limits of GDP as a useful economic measure in her latest book,Still Counting: Wellbeing, Womens Work and Policy-making.

New Zealand politician, economist and feminist legend Marilyn Waring talks about the limits of GDP as a useful economic measure in her latest book,Still Counting: Wellbeing, Womens Work and Policy-making.Tim Norton, Chair of Digital Rights Watch, talks about Australia's controversial encryption legislation and cybersecurity breaches at Parliament. Plus Ben Eltham on federal politics.

Tim Flannery, palaeontologist, evolutionary historian and author, joins Amy to discuss his latest book, Europe: A Natural History.

Tim Flannery, palaeontologist, evolutionary historian and author, joins Amy to discuss his latest book,Europe: A Natural History. Tamara Wood, Affiliate at theKaldor Centre for International Refugee Law,UNSW and Lecturer in Law at the University of Tasmania talks about the international and domestic law that Australia must follow when it comes to those seeking asylum in our country, both by air and by boat. Plus Ben Eltham on the latest in federal politics.

University of Melbourne Professor Andrew Walter gives us an update on Brexit; why the UK Parliament rejected the first deal, and what comes next.

University of Melbourne Professor Andrew Walter gives us an update on Brexit; why the UK Parliament rejected the first deal, and what comes next. Writer and former Media Advisor to John Howard, Paula Matthewson, discusses whats really holding women back in the Liberal Party in her essay and book,On Merit. Plus Ben Eltham on the latest in federal politics, including the key findings of the Banking Royal Commission's final report.

Graeme Davison, urban and social historian and Emeritus Professor at Monash University, joined Amy in the studio to discuss the book he has edited,Hugh Stretton: Selected Writings. Stretton was a prominent public intellectual in Australia and a social democrat, known for his deeply humane approach to social and urban issues. Fundamentally, Stretton wanted to make Australia fairer. Professor Philomena Murray from the University of Melbourne, discussed the European Union and the latest developments on Brexit. She explores the current negotiated agreement and where to from here for British Prime Minister Theresa May who is seeking approval from the Parliament but has delayed a vote on the proposal. Plus Ben Eltham from New Matilda on the year in federal politics.