Policy Forum Pod

General practitioner Louise Stone and psychiatrist Philip Keightley join us to discuss Australia’s mental health system, the wellbeing of health workers, and what policymakers can do to improve outcomes for patients on this episode of Policy Forum Pod.Why is it ‘no longer' possible to provide best practice mental health care for everybody in Australia’s public health system? What needs to change to improve the wellbeing of healthcare workers? And how can policymakers ensure there is greater equity for patients in terms of access to quality mental health care? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Dr Louise Stone and Dr Philip Keightley from The Australian National University (ANU) Medical School join Dr Arnagretta Hunter and Professor Sharon Bessell to examine what changes are needed in Australia’s mental health system.Louise Stone is a general practitioner with clinical, research, education and policy expertise in mental health, and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Social Foundations of Medicine group at

This week on Policy Forum Pod, Clare Skinner and Lesley Russell join us to explore where the opportunities exist for meaningful reform of Australia’s healthcare system, especially in emergency medicine. What factors have contributed to Australia’s healthcare system being under-funded, under-resourced, under-staffed, and sometimes under-valued? Is the current funding model fit for purpose as patients’ requirements become increasingly complex? And where should the government start when it comes to widescale reform? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Dr Clare Skinner and Dr Lesley Russell join Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss why Australia’s healthcare system is on the brink of crisis and what policymakers can do to address the challenges the sector faces. Clare Skinner is President of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, the not-for-profit organisation responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards in emergency medicine

According to a new study, Australia needs a national drinking water quality database - we speak to Paul Wyrwoll and Evie Rose, two authors of the study, about why on this episode of Policy Forum Pod.How many Australians lack access to safe and good-quality drinking water? What does it mean for people’s lives to not have access to water that meets Australian health and aesthetic standards for water quality? And how can policymakers ensure people in regional and remote Australia have agency and power in decision-making around their water services? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Dr Paul Wyrwoll and Evie Rose join Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss their new research about water access in Australia.Paul Wyrwoll is a Research Fellow at the ANU Institute for Water Futures and Crawford School of Public Policy. He works on water economics and policy in Australia and the Asia-Pacific, with a focus on drinking water provision, large water infrastructure, and nature-based solutions to flo

This week on Policy Forum Pod, the ANU Energy Change Institute’s Thomas Longden and RegNet’s Lee White join Sharon Bessell and Arnagretta Hunter to discuss the importance of equitable energy policies and survey the terrain ahead for Australia’s energy policymakers.As Australia grapples with transitioning to renewable energy, how is the country integrating affordable, reliable, and clean power sources into its energy system? What roadblocks stand in the way? And how do policymakers ensure equitable access to energy as they look to accelerate that transition? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Thomas Longden and Lee White join Sharon Bessell and Arnagretta Hunter to discuss Australia’s complex relationship with fossil fuels and its journey to a greener energy grid.Thomas Longden is a Fellow working on the ANU Energy Change Institute’s Grand Challenge – Zero-Carbon Energy for the Asia-Pacific, based at the Crawford School of Public Policy. Lee White is a Research Fellow with the Zero-Carbon Energy for th

This week on Policy Forum Pod, David Lindenmayer joins us to discuss Australia’s dire biodiversity trajectory and what policymakers need to achieve in the five years until the next State of the Environment Report.Why is environmental monitoring so important? How effective are biodiversity offsets in Australia and around the world? And what could the next State of the Environment Report look like in 2026 if Australia changes its trajectory on conservation and biodiversity? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, David Lindenmayer joins Sharon Bessell and Arnagretta Hunter to discuss a hypothetical penguin farm in the Australian desert and what it reveals about our country’s ‘nothing short of disgraceful’ approach to its environment. David Lindenmayer is a Professor at the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society and is widely regarded as one of the world's leading forest and woodland ecologists and conservation biologists.Arnagretta Hunter is the Human Futures Fellow at ANU College of Health and Med

This week on Policy Forum Pod, Mark Howden joins Arnagretta Hunter and Sharon Bessell to discuss the recent state of the environment report and the growing strain on the most important system of all - the planet. With a general public demanding action on climate change, how can the government start delivering on its targets? Just how much leadership, and what legislative and policy responses will be enough to protect our environment? And can Australia move beyond the political polarisation that has historically dominated its climate policy? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Mark Howden joins Arnagretta Hunter and Sharon Bessell to explore the current state of Australia’s environment and outline a pathway forward.Mark Howden is the Director of the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions at ANU and Vice Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He is also the Chair of the ACT Climate Change Council.Arnagretta Hunter is the Human Futures Fellow at ANU College of Health

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, John Falzon, Sharon Bessell and Arnagretta Hunter discuss the serious impact inequality has on Australians, especially children, and how policymakers can reverse the marginalisation and demonisation of people experiencing poverty.What does the experience of living with poverty mean for the lives of Australian children? Is the new government’s move to create a ‘wellbeing budget’ a step in the right direction when it comes to measuring the strength of the Australian economy and society? And should policymakers change the focus of Australia’s social security system, dumping the framework of ‘mutual obligation’ in favour of one built on mutual respect? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Dr John Falzon, Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter discuss vulnerability, insecurity and poverty in the context of Australia’s cost of living crisis.John Falzon OAM is Senior Fellow, Inequality and Social Justice at Per Capita.Sharon Bessell is Professor of Public Pol

This week on Policy Forum Pod, Sharon Friel joins Arnagretta Hunter and Sharon Bessell to look at the health impacts of the cost of living acrisis.How is the current cost of living crisis impacting the health and wellbeing of Australians? How do the social determinants of health play out in the community? And how might policymakers respond to future socio-economic crises without compromising people’s health? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Sharon Friel joins Arnagretta Hunter and Sharon Bessell to explore the impacts of the current economic environment on health and wellbeing. Sharon Friel is an ARC Laureate Fellow, Professor of Health Equity and Director of the Menzies Centre for Health Governance at The Australian National University School of Regulation and Global Governance.Arnagretta Hunter is the Human Futures Fellow at ANU College of Health and Medicine, a cardiologist, physician, and a Senior Clinical Lecturer at ANU Medical School.Sharon Bessell is Professor of Public Policy and Director of

This week on Policy Forum Pod, Vice-President First Nations at The Australian National University Peter Yu joins us in the second episode in our new mini-series on the social impacts of rising costs of living and the inflation crisis.What would an economic self-determination framework look like in Australia? What can we learn from First Nations’ experiences around the world, particularly from New Zealand and Canada? And can our current economic system empower and create pathways for self-determination and First Nations’ economic sovereignty? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Peter Yu joins Sharon Bessell and Arnagretta Hunter to discuss creating pathways for economic self-determination for First Nations Australians.Peter Yu AM is a Yawuru Man from Broome in the Kimberley region in North West Australia with 40 years experience in Indigenous development and advocacy, and is the inaugural Vice-President (First Nations) at The Australian National University. He was a key negotiator on behalf of the Yawuru Nati

This week on Policy Forum Pod, Warwick McKibbin and Kristen Sobeck join us in the first episode in our new mini-series on the social impacts of rising costs of living and the inflation crisis.What global and local factors have contributed to the rising cost of living and inflation? What is the role of the Reserve Bank in managing monetary policy? And what should policymakers consider when addressing these complex issues? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Warwick McKibbin and Kristen Sobeck join Sharon Bessell and Arnagretta Hunter to go back to basics and unpack the current state of our economic environment.Warwick McKibbin AO is a Distinguished Professor of Economics and Public Policy and Director of the ANU Centre for Applied Macroeconomic Analysis at Crawford School of Public Policy. He is also Director of Policy Engagement and ANU Node Leader at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Population Ageing Research.Kristen Sobeck is a Senior Research Officer at Crawford School's T

This week on Policy Forum Pod, Virginia Marshall joins us to discuss the Uluru Statement from the Heart and Australia’s pathway towards healing. How can Australia place kindness and care at the centre of its policy-making? What do First Nations’ knowledge systems tell us about protecting the land, waterways, and environment? And can implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart spark the truth-telling and healing Australia needs? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Dr Virginia Marshall joins us to discuss the future of First Nations’ policy and Australia’s journey to a fuller expression of its nationhood.Virginia Marshall is the Inaugural Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Regulation and Global Governance and the Fenner School of Environment and Society. She is also a lawyer and solicitor and has been a regular guest and occasional host of Policy Forum Pod and Democracy Sausage. Sharon Bessell is Professor of Public Policy and Director of both the Children’s Policy Centre and the Pov

This week on Policy Forum Pod, Professor of Economics and Convenor of the Water Justice Hub Quentin Grafton joins us to discuss the environmental challenges and policy opportunities to ensure food, water and energy for all. How does climate change impact our relationship to food, water and energy? How can truth-telling support a more equitable and sustainable approach to managing resources? And how do we need to think about global governance to ensure food, water and energy for all? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Professor of Economics at the Crawford School of Public Policy, Quentin Grafton joins Professor Sharon Bessell Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss the current ‘triple threat’ and options for policymakers in Australia.  Quentin Grafton is Professor of Economics, Convenor of the Water Justice Hub and Director of the Centre for Water Economics, Environment and Policy at the Crawford School of Public Policy.  He was recently appointed the Lead Expert and Commissioner of the Glo

This week on Policy Forum Pod, youth advocate Yasmin Poole and expert on gender-sensitive parliaments Sonia Palmieri join us to discuss Australia’s most diverse parliament in history and what it might mean for gender sensitive policy-making in the future.What should the major parties learn from the election outcome about gender diversity and intersectionality? What must the new government do to ensure women are safe in parliamentary workplaces? And has Australia learnt from the sexist treatment of Australia’s first woman prime minister, Julia Gillard, so it will be different for the next woman who holds that office? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, youth advocate and Plan International National Ambassador Yasmin Poole and contributor to Australia’s ‘Set the Standard’ report into parliamentary workplaces Dr Sonia Palmieri join Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss diversity and women’s safety in parliament, and whether the changes at this election will lead to more gender-sensitive policy.Sonia Palmieri is a&nbs

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, George Carter and Siobhan McDonnell join us to talk about Australia’s diplomacy in the Pacific, and if the new Australian government can become the region’s “partner of choice”. How important is strong action on climate change to Australia’s security relationships in the Pacific? What lessons does China’s failure to strike a multilateral security and trade agreement with Pacific Island countries hold for Australia? And how could Oceanic and First Nations diplomacy lead to deeper, lasting cooperation? Dr George Carter, Research Fellow at ANU Department of Pacific Affairs, and Dr Siobhan McDonnell, Senior Lecturer at ANU Crawford School of Public Policy, join Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss climate action, security, and Australia’s Pacific diplomacy.This episode was recorded on the morning of Wednesday 1 June, before Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong visited Samoa and Tonga.George Carter is a Research Fellow in Geopolitics and Regi

This week on Policy Forum Pod, public policy experts Helen Sullivan and Sara Bice join us to discuss the outcome of the federal election and what it might mean for Australia’s policy future.Last Saturday, Australia elected a new government, emphatically voting out the Liberal-National coalition that had been in power since 2013. In his victory speech, new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese highlighted a number of policy changes, including a commitment to implement the Uluru Statement of the Heart in full and to end the ‘climate wars’. But how should the new government go about pursuing its vision of “no one left behind” and “no one held back”? How can it build trust in the Australian community? And what challenges might it face in pursuing its policy and legislative agenda? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Dean of ANU College of Asia and the Pacific Professor Helen Sullivan and Director of the Policy and Governance program at ANU Crawford School of Public Policy Professor Sara Bice join Professor Sharon Bess

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, economist at King’s College London Alfredo Saad-Filho joins us to talk about neoliberalism, its impact on care and community, and the prospect of a new economic and social paradigm in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.What is neoliberalism, and how has it come to shape policy and politics? Is it possible to eliminate poverty in a neoliberal society? And how can communities begin to reshape politics so that humanity, hope, and care are valued and prioritised? In the final episode in our mini-series on care, Professor Alfredo Saad-Filho joins Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss the possibility of a new economic paradigm with caring at its core.Alfredo Saad-Filho is Professor of Political Economy and International Development and Head of the Department of International Development at King's College London.Sharon Bessell is Professor of Public Policy and Director of both the Children’s Policy Centre and the Poverty and Inequality Research Centre a

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, physician and researcher James Trauer and Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association Kylie Woolcock join us to talk about the future of healthcare in Australia.Since early 2020, health policy-making has been in the spotlight like never before, as Australian governments scrambled to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. But with Australia moving to an endemic approach to controlling the virus, and a federal election campaign underway, are policymakers missing a golden opportunity for reform? How can the sector better care for healthcare workers, as they do their best to care for their patients? And what might a new policy approach for the health sector look like? Monash University’s Associate Professor James Trauer and Kylie Woolcock from Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association join Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss creating a more caring health system on this episode of Policy Forum Pod.Kylie Woolcock

In this live Democracy Sausage and Policy Forum Pod crossover episode, Nicholas Biddle joins Sharon Bessell, Arnagretta Hunter and Mark Kenny to talk about what issues matter to voters and why good policy so often gets lost in translation in Australia’s political system.How can political candidates and policymakers address long term, intergenerational issues like climate change? What do voters mean when they report being concerned about cost of living? And what might it mean for the legislature if Australians voted in a significant number of independents and members of minor parties at this federal election? Associate Director of The Australian National University (ANU) Centre for Social Research and Methods Professor Nicholas Biddle joins Professor Sharon Bessell, Dr Arnagretta Hunter and Professor Mark Kenny for this special live election crossover episode.Nicholas Biddle is Associate Director of the Centre for Social Research at ANU. He previously held a Senior Research Officer and Assistant Dire

On the fourth episode in our mini-series on care, Diane Gibson and Kasia Bail from the University of Canberra join us to discuss what policymakers can do to fix the systemic issues that have plagued Australia's aged care sector.Will this federal election campaign lead to change the way aged care is valued in Australia? How do ageism, sexism, and racism intersect and influence the sector? And how can policymakers translate the principles of dignity, care and respect into meaningful action? Distinguished Professor of Health and Ageing at the University of Canberra Diane Gibson and Associate Professor of Gerontological Nursing at the University of Canberra and ACT Health Kasia Bail join Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter for the fourth episode in our mini-series on care.Join us for our Policy Forum Pod x Democracy Sausage election live show on Wednesday 4 May at The Australian National University! Tickets are free but registration is essential.Visit policyforum.net for full show notes. Policy Foru

Newly-appointed United Nations Special Rapporteur Dr Ian Fry joins us to discuss the human rights impacts of climate change.How has climate diplomacy evolved in recent decades, especially in the Pacific? In the face of increasingly frequent and severe disasters, how can people’s human rights be protected? And what implications might climate displacement have on cultural identity? In the third episode of our mini-series on care, Dr Ian Fry - who’s soon to take up the position of United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change - joins us to discuss protecting people’s right to a healthy environment.Ian Fry is an international environmental law and policy expert, Senior Lecturer at The Australian National University, and the new United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the Context of Climate Change.Sharon Bessell is Professor of Public Policy and Director of both the Children’s Policy Centre and the Pov