Policy Forum Pod

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Chief Executive Officer of Our Watch Patty Kinnersly joins us to discuss the role all Australians have in ending violence against women and their children.What are the drivers of men’s violence against women and their children? What key elements should be included in the new national plan to address the crisis? And what role can individuals, institutions and communities play in ensuring that violence and all forms of discrimination against women are brought to an end? Patty Kinnersly, CEO of Our Watch - a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia - joins Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss these questions and more.Patty Kinnersly is CEO of Our Watch, an independent not-for-profit organisation and national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia.Sharon Bessell is Professor of Public Policy and Director of Gender Equity and

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, child psychiatrist Karen Gaunson and child protection scholar Tim Moore join us to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on children, both now and into the future.The COVID-19 pandemic is casting many shadows - for many individuals and families, livelihoods have been snatched away. One issue that was initially given very little attention is the impact on the psychological welfare of children. So what barriers were children facing before the pandemic, and how can policymakers ensure the last 18 months don’t leave lasting scars? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Dr Karen Gaunson and Associate Professor Tim Moore join Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss how society can give children a sense of hope in such a challenging time.Tim Moore is Deputy Director (Practice Solutions) at the Australian Centre for Child Protection at the University of South Australia.Karen Gaunson is a parent-infant, child, adult, and family psychiatrist working in mu

In the final episode of our Policy Forum Pod mini-series on work, Lyndall Strazdins and John Falzon join us to discuss time inequity and how to reimagine the world of work to create a happier and more sustainable society.Why does society still imagine work as distinct from everyday life? How can policymakers rethink how time is allocated to address gender inequity and improve population health? And can we create a world of work that generates a surplus of things that people really need - of education, culture, care and love? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter are joined by Professor Lyndall Strazdins from The Australian National University (ANU) and Dr John Falzon from Per Capita to think about the future of work and conclude our mini-series.Lyndall Strazdins is a Professor and Australian Research Council Future Fellow at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University.John Falzon OAM is Senior Fellow, Ineq

On the penultimate episode of our Policy Forum Pod mini-series on work, we speak to President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions Michele O’Neil about workers’ rights and how to build a fairer, more equitable world of work.What are some of the major challenges facing Australian workers in terms of their access to fair pay and decent conditions? How can policymakers ensure people are safe at work as the impacts of climate change become more pronounced? And what action can be taken to ensure people are valued at work, both through the COVID-19 crisis and beyond? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod - the fifth in our special mini-series on work - President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions Michele O’Neil joins Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter. Michele O'Neil is President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).Sharon Bessell is Professor of Public Policy and Director of Gender Equity and Diversity at ANU Crawford School of Public Policy.Arnagretta Hunter&nbs

On this episode in our Policy Forum Pod mini-series on work, author and researcher Guy Standing joins Sharon Bessell and Arnagretta Hunter to discuss changing class structures and the universal basic income.Do policymakers need to stop worshipping the ‘false god’ of economic growth? Are changes in the world of work leading to disenfranchisement and the creation of a new underclass? And what are the prospects of a universal basic income being introduced in a number of countries in the coming years? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Professor Guy Standing joins Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter for the fourth instalment in our mini-series on work.Guy Standing is a Professorial Research Associate at SOAS University of London and a founding member and honorary co-president of the Basic Income Earth Network, a non-governmental organisation that promotes a basic income for all.Sharon Bessell is Professor of Public Policy and Director of Gender Equity and Diversity at

On the third episode in our Policy Forum Pod mini-series on work, Shahra Razavi from the International Labour Organization joins us to discuss the importance of universal social protection and how policymakers can do more to ensure people have access to decent work.What does decent work for all look like – and how far are governments around the world from achieving that? Is economic growth the path to achieving this or is it time to decouple growth and decent work? And what global efforts are underway to uphold the right to social security and social protection? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod - the third instalment in our mini-series on work - Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter are joined by Shahra Razavi, Director of the Social Protection Department at the International Labour Organization.Shahra Razavi is Director of the Social Protection Department at the International Labour Organization. Previously, she was Research Coordinator at the United Nations Research Institute for Social Devel

On the second instalment in our Policy Forum Pod mini-series on work, principal founder of the field of feminist economics Marilyn Waring joins us to talk about what society values and why. Gross domestic product (GDP) is often held up as the key metric of national economic performance, despite decades of criticism over the extractive, gendered model it represents. So how can policymakers better understand the value of what GDP often excludes, such as the natural environment and unpaid work? How can Australia and New Zealand have a more inclusive conversation about economics? And will time become the baseline for a new economic paradigm? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, public policy scholar, environmentalist, and former New Zealand parliamentarian Dame Marilyn Waring joins Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter.Marilyn Waring is a New Zealand feminist, former politician, author, academic, and activist for female human rights and environmental issues.Sharon Bessell is Professor of Pub

In the first episode of our Policy Forum Pod mini-series on work, anthropologist and author James Suzman joins us to look at the history of work and its profound impact on society.Understanding the role of work in our lives, the impact it has, and the inequities it often perpetuates may provide some of the solutions to the major challenges facing society - from environmental destruction to the undervaluing of care. In this new Policy Forum Pod mini-series Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter explore work from a range of angles and seek solutions to these issues with an amazing line-up of guests. On the first episode in the series, Dr James Suzman, anthropologist and author of Work: A history of how we spend our time, joins us to discuss how contemporary society’s understanding of economics is changing the way we work, live, and relate to our natural environment. James Suzman is an anthropologist and author of the books Work, A History of How We Spend Our Time and Affluence Without Abundance and D

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, mental health researcher Luis Salvador-Carulla and Cassandra Goldie join us to look at the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and the importance of adequate financial support for people’s sense of dignity and wellbeing. What impact has the COVID-19 crisis had on the mental health and wellbeing of Australians? What can policymakers do to improve access and the efficiency of mental health services? And with financial support for those in lockdown areas falling short of meeting their needs, what does this mean for some of the country’s most economically vulnerable citizens? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Council of Social Service Dr Cassandra Goldie and Head of the Centre for Mental Health Research at The Australian National University Professor Luis Salvador-Carulla join Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter.Cassandra Goldie is Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Council of Social Service, a national voice fo

On the final episode in the Policy Forum Pod mini-series on leadership, author and former senator Scott Ludlam joins us to discuss challenging the political status quo and why more distributed forms of leadership might be an effective way to create change.What do Australia’s climate policy failures reveal about the country’s political system and leadership? Can a move to a more distributed, decentralised form of leadership lead to substantial change? And what role can non-traditional forms of leadership - from investor activism to school climate strikes - play in achieving better outcomes for Australia’s environment and society? Former Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam joins Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter on the final episode in our Policy Forum Pod mini-series to look at the future of leadership and democracy, and to reflect on the challenging and inspiring conversations on the pod over the past four episodes.Scott Ludlam was Senator for Western Australia in the Australian Se

In the penultimate episode of our Policy Forum Pod mini-series on leadership and democracy, Natasha Stott Despoja - former Senator for South Australia and member of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - joins us to discuss women in leadership in Australia.Australia is still a long way from reaching gender parity in politics, with the country ranking 51st in terms of the percentage of parliamentarians who are women. Revelations throughout 2021 have also shone a light on the serious, disturbing challenges facing women in parliament, and the toxic culture that’s been allowed to flourish. With research showing few are interested in a career in politics, how can policymakers ensure that there are pathways into politics for young women? What needs to change to ensure women in parliament are safe and respected? And how can greater diversity in parliament drive both policy and cultural change across the country? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Natasha Stott Despoja AO

In the second episode of our mini-series on leadership and democracy, political scientist Carolyn Hendriks and community leader Denis Ginnivan join us to discuss political action at the local level and why Australia needs a process of democratic repair.Are governments losing touch with their constituents, particularly in regional areas? And in a society that’s becoming increasingly polarised around a number of issues, how can local actors bring their communities together to find common ground? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Professor Carolyn Hendriks from ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and social worker and community leader Denis Ginnivan join Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss leadership at the local level and how that interacts with formal political systems.Denis Ginnivan is a committee member of Totally Renewable Yackandandah and a former President of Voices for Indi, a community group based in northeast Victoria which seeks to encourage citizens to engage and particip

In this first episode in our mini-series on leadership and democracy, historians Chris Wallace and Frank Bongiorno join us to examine the resistance to change among Australia’s political class and whether the country’s current crop of leaders are up to the task of providing good governance.In an increasingly uncertain world, the call for effective political leadership is a loud one. But are Australia's present-day leaders responding? How are outdated stereotypes about leadership influencing Australia’s political culture? And how do country’s current leaders compare to those of recent history and from around the world? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Frank Bongiorno from The Australian National University and Chris Wallace from the University of Canberra take a look at the history of Australian political leadership to kick off our mini-series on leadership and democracy.Chris Wallace is an Associate Professor at the University of Canberra. Entering the history profession after a first career as

It’s an experience no Australian wants to relive, but bushfire seasons like that of 2019/2020 are likely to increase in frequency due to climate change. On this Policy Forum Pod, defence expert Brendan Sargeant, emergency law scholar Michael Eburn, forestry academic Peter Kanowski, and health professional Arnagretta Hunter discuss the bushfire royal commission and how policymakers should be preparing to manage more severe bushfires. The 2019/2020 bushfire season was a traumatic experience for so many Australians, but are the country’s policymakers learning the right lessons from the Black Summer? Are the recommendations of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements being taken seriously? And, with Australia facing the prospect of increasingly severe weather patterns due to climate change, how can governments, emergency services, and citizens work together to protect their communities? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Professor Brendan Sargeant, Honorary Associate Professor Micha

It’s the glue that holds society together, but existing economic and policy systems find care so hard to place a value on. On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, social security researcher Elise Klein and community advocate Millie Rooney join us to discuss valuing care in public policy.How does Australian policy value different forms of care compared to what’s been considered to be ‘productive’ work? What would happen if the country made caring a central tenet of its policy-making rather than a secondary consideration? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Dr Elise Klein, Senior Lecturer at ANU Crawford School of Public Policy, and Dr Millie Rooney, National Coordinator at Australia reMADE, join hosts Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to discuss how and why Australian policymakers should place greater value on care.Elise Klein OAM is a Senior Lecturer of Public Policy at Crawford School of Public Policy whose research interests include Indigenous policy, development interventions, women

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, aged care expert Diane Gibson and social researcher Nicholas Biddle join us to discuss the impact of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and whether governments are on the right track to make the changes the sector desperately needs.Some of the most devastating images to come out of Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic so far have emerged from aged care facilities. Unfortunately, the situation Australia has watched unfold in aged care during the pandemic is just another in a series of tragedies that have beset the system. While the federal government announced a nearly $18 billion package in the recent budget, will this lead to transformational change? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Professor Diane Gibson from the University of Canberra and Professor Nicholas Biddle from The Australian National University join Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter to talk about policy solutions to Australia’s aged care crisis.Diane Gibson is 

On the new episode of Policy Forum Pod, experts Stephen Howes and Sally Moyle join Sharon Bessell to take a closer look at foreign aid in the recent federal budget and whether Australia is doing its part to assist communities in need beyond its borders. In Australia, there has been a downward trend in the foreign aid budget since 2014-15 and aid spending per capita has dropped since 1995. So what is the impact of this on the reach and effectiveness of Australia’s aid program? What do these trends reveal about Australian values? And how can the country’s political leaders make the case for international development assistance and communicate its benefits, both in the region and for Australia’s national interests? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Professor Stephen Howes and Honorary Associate Professor Sally Moyle join Professor Sharon Bessell to discuss these questions and more.Stephen Howes is Professor of Economics at ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and the Director of the Development Policy Ce

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, The Australian National University’s Assa Doron and Azad Singh Bali join Sharon Bessell to examine the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in India and the key lessons policymakers must learn so the country isn’t rocked by further waves of the virus.How did the COVID-19 crisis in India get so out of control? And what can policymakers in the country and around the region learn from the responses so far to ensure this isn’t followed by further waves of infections? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Professor Assa Doron and Dr Azad Singh Bali join Professor Sharon Bessell to chart the country’s responses since the beginning of the pandemic, examine what role religious and other divisions have played in inhibiting an effective response, and what policymakers must learn from this awful situation to ensure it doesn’t repeat in the coming months.Assa Doron is Professor of Anthropology at the College of Asia and the Pacific's School of Culture, History, and Language at T

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Pacific experts Meg Keen and Henry Ivarature join Arnagretta Hunter to discuss how Papua New Guinea is dealing with its current COVID-19 outbreak, the region’s successes and setbacks during the pandemic, and some of the other key security issues facing the Pacific.What have been the successes and setbacks in the Pacific Island region’s management of the COVID-19 crisis? What is slowing down the vaccine rollout in many countries in the region? And with geostrategic competition increasing in the Pacific, what are the prospects for the region’s economic recovery? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Professor Meg Keen and Dr Henry Ivarature from the Australia Pacific Security College join Dr Arnagretta Hunter to examine how the Pacific Island region is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and how geostrategic competition, climate change, and economic vulnerabilities are impacting the region.Meg Keen is Professor and Director at the Australia Pacific Security College at The Aus

On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, sociologist John Falzon and Anglicare Australia head Kasy Chambers join Sharon Bessell and Arnagretta Hunter to discuss this year’s federal budget and what it means for social policy.This week, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced Australia’s 2021/22 federal budget, which included some significant spending on social services. But is this a budget seeking to drive transformative change on social policy? Is the government paying sufficient attention to long term challenges? And how will the budget impact Australians who are experiencing disadvantage? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, hosts Professor Sharon Bessell and Dr Arnagretta Hunter discuss these questions and more with Anglicare Australia Executive Director Kasy Chambers and Per Capita Senior Fellow Dr John Falzon.Kasy Chambers is executive director of Anglicare Australia - a network of 45 agencies, 38,000 staff and volunteers, working with over 502,000 clients annually across Australia.John Falzon OAM is Senio