Policy Forum Pod

The normalisation of gambling in Australian life has had devastating results for many people across the country. On this week’s pod, we talk to authors of new research on gambling harm in Australia and its impact on women.While as many as 200,000 Australians have a high-level problem with gambling, new research from The Australian National University shows that the impact of gambling harm goes well beyond individual gamblers. So how are loved ones, particularly women, harmed by gambling behaviour?On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, we’re joined by researchers Dr Megan Whitty and Dr Marisa Paterson from The Australian National University to discuss their new study on the issue, and what policymakers should be doing to tackle this major challenge.Dr Marisa Paterson is the Director of the Centre for Gambling Research at The Australian National University. Marisa specialises in qualitative research methods, with a particular research focus on gambling policy and regulation. She leads a broad range

In light of the Australian government’s announcement to focus on technology – such as hydrogen and carbon capture – to mitigate the impacts of climate change, we talk to an innovation policy expert about what Australia could learn from the Netherlands’ Topsector approach.Following the dramatic bushfires, Australia’s policy is more than ever in need of grand transformations – but how can policymakers best go about that and ensure that businesses are on board? The Dutch Topsector approach might give us some pointers. Launched in 2010, the policy creates so called Topsectors - businesses and knowledge institutes that work together with government to drive innovation and solve societal issues at the same time. In this episode of Policy Forum Pod, we talk to Dr Matthijs Janssen about this transformative policy, and what lessons Australia could draw from it.  Dr Matthijs Janssen is an Assistant Professor at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at University of Utrecht, investigating innovat

In this episode, we mark International Women’s Day with a special pod looking at women in leadership, from the boardroom to the front bench.  From business to politics to higher education, women are still hugely under-represented in the upper echelons of a range of sectors. While many have made a clear case for the benefits of gender diversity in terms of organisational performance and culture, women still face significant barriers which are preventing them from reaching the top in their fields. So why is this, and what can be done to bring about much-needed change? On this week’s pod, our panel - Julie Hare, Professor Sharon Bell, Sophia Hamblin Wang and Caitlin Figueiredo - talk about the bold changes that are needed in order to disrupt the status quo.Professor Sharon Bell is Dean of the College of Asia and the Pacific at The Australian National University.Sophia Hamblin Wang is the Chief Operations Officer of Mineral Carbonation International, a technology platform that transforms carbon dioxide

In this episode of Policy Forum Pod, our expert panel counts the cost of inaction on climate change.In recent times, much attention has been paid to the costs of new climate change policies. From job losses, to higher electricity prices, to new taxes, these tolls have been touted far and wide. But what about the cost of inaction? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, we’re joined by an expert panel - Professor Quentin Grafton, Dr Arnagretta Hunter, and Honorary Associate Professor Imran Ahmad - to ask what Australians are paying, and likely to pay into the future, if the country continues on its current trajectory.Dr Imran Ahmad is Founding Director of Future Earth Australia, former Director of East-Asia and Pacific at the Global Green Growth Institute, and an Honorary Associate Professor at the Fenner School of Environment and Society.Dr Arnagretta Hunter is a cardiologist, physician, and a Senior Clinical Lecturer for The Australian National University Medical School.Professor Quentin Grafton 

On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Professor Patrick Dunleavy to talk about ‘robodebt’, department mergers, and why this very ‘Canberra’ issue has a big impact throughout the country.Will the government’s proposed departmental merger make the Australian Public Service more efficient? And as big data and artificial intelligence play a bigger role in the delivery of public services, are issues like the ‘robodebt’ scandal a harbinger of things to come? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Professor Sharon Bessell speaks with political scientist and public policy guru Professor Patrick Dunleavy about increasing public service productivity for the benefit of all.Patrick Dunleavy is Professor of Political Science and Public Policy within the Government Department of the London School of Economics. He is also Co-Director of Democratic Audit and Chair of the LSE Public Policy Group and Centenary Research Professor at the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra.Sharon Bessell is

Join us at the pod squad members’ lounge as we field your questions on all sorts of issues, from how countries are performing on emissions reduction to which politician you’d least like to be stuck in conversation with at the annual Midwinter Ball.On the first episode of our special Ask Policy Forum series, regular hosts and special guests crack a beverage and chat about what you want to know. Led by Chris Farnham of the National Security Podcast, kick back as Mark Kenny of Democracy Sausage, Martyn Pearce of Policy Forum Pod, Professor Mark Howden, Associate Professor Carolyn Hendriks and Dr Arnagretta Hunter field your questions on life, the universe and everything.Future episodes of Ask Policy Forum will be released only to members of our Policy Forum Pod Facebook group, so make sure you jump online and join to get access to this exclusive monthly pod.Mark Howden is Director of the ANU Climate Change Institute. Mark was a major contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports for t

This week on Policy Forum Pod, we tackle key questions about the novel coronavirus outbreak – what is the virus, how are countries responding, and how do we address the spread of misinformation when public tensions are running high.The coronavirus outbreak is rapidly evolving, with new information coming to light each day. With the level of uncertainty about the disease, misinformation is also spreading fast. While orchestrating major public health responses is difficult at the best of times, how can authorities ensure the public are well informed when falsehoods are spread so easily via social media? How appropriate and effective are the responses we’ve seen from international governments so far? And how important is it to maintain strong multilateral institutions to address global health crises? On this week’s pod, we speak to two public health experts – Professor Martyn Kirk and Dr Nick Coatsworth – and a China scholar – Yun Jiang – to unpack these issues. Martyn Kirk is a National Health an

While hundreds of bushfires still burn throughout Australia, some communities are beginning the enormous task of rebuilding. While the fires didn’t discriminate as they tore through towns around the country, the recovery process is especially difficult for those who were already struggling even before the disaster. People on low incomes, those living with a disability, rough sleepers, and other marginalised groups now face a huge task to recover.On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, our expert panel - Professor Sharon Bessell, Dr John Falzon and Professor Peter Whiteford - join us to discuss how best to support those who need it most.Peter Whiteford is Professor at Crawford School of Public Policy. He previously worked as a Principal Administrator in the Directorate of Employment, Labour and Social Affairs of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris.Dr John Falzon OAM is Senior Fellow, Inequality and Social Justice at Per Capita. He is also a sociologist, poet, and social justice adv

Public interest in Indigenous fire management practices like ‘cool burning’ has grown significantly in the wake of Australia’s unprecedented bushfire crisis. But what is cool burning, and what does the attention it has received tell us about how Indigenous knowledge is valued in Australia? On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, Dr Virginia Marshall and Dr Annick Thomassin join us to talk about the impact of the bushfires on Aboriginal people, why Indigenous knowledge should be central to policy-making, and the state of reconciliation in Australia.Annick Thomassin is a Post-doctoral Fellow at the ANU Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research. She is the primary investigator of the Seachange: Aboriginal marine pathways to social inclusion project, a grassroots, research-action initiative developed in collaboration with Mogo and Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Councils.Virginia Marshall is an Inaugural Indigenous Postdoctoral Fellow with the ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance (RegNet) and the F

Australia’s federal government is coming under increasing pressure to change course on its climate policies, but will it lead to tangible policy change? This week on Policy Forum Pod an expert panel - Professor Frank Jotzo, Professor Quentin Grafton, Dr Tayanah O’Donnell and Meegan Fitzharris – take a look at how the events of the last couple of months have shifted public views and how that might, or might not, translate into policy change.Frank Jotzo is Professor at ANU Crawford School of Public Policy, and Director of the Centre for Climate Economics and Policy.Tayanah O’Donnell is Director of Future Earth Australia, based at the Australian Academy of Science.Meegan Fitzharris is a Senior Fellow in Health Policy and Leadership at ANU College of Health and Medicine. She is a former Labor Member of the Legislative Assembly for Molonglo and Yerrabi and was the ACT government’s Minister for Health and Wellbeing.Quentin Grafton is Professor of Economics at Crawford School, UNESCO Chair in Water Economics and Tra

On this second episode of our two-part podcast, our expert panel dive deeper into the physical and mental health impacts of the fires and discuss what lessons policymakers can really draw from a potential Royal Commission into the bushfires. Having discussed the link between climate change and the bushfires and shared their personal experiences in part one, our expert panel – Dr Liz Hanna, Professor Stephen Dovers, Professor Janette Lindesay, and Dr Siobhan McDonnell – return for part two of this special Policy Forum Pod episode on Australia’s bushfires. Our presenters Dr Paul Wyrwoll and Martyn Pearce pick up where we left off asking the panel about the far-reaching mental and physical health impacts of the fires, look at whether a Royal Commission is needed, and discuss what better policy might look like.Stephen Dovers is Emeritus Professor with the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society and works on the policy of climate change adaptation, disasters, and sustainable development.Janette Lindesay is a

Stephen Dovers is Emeritus Professor with the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society and works on the policy of climate change adaptation, disasters, and sustainable development.Janette Lindesay is a climatologist, a Deputy Director of the ANU Climate Change Institute, and Emeritus Professor at the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society.Liz Hanna is an Honorary Fellow at ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society. Her research investigates the health impacts of climate change.Siobhan McDonnell is a legal anthropologist with over 20 years of experience working with Indigenous people in Australia and the Pacific on land use, gender, and climate change. She is a Lecturer at the Crawford School of Public Policy, and the lead negotiator on climate change for the Vanuatu government.Paul Wyrwoll is an environmental and resources economist at Crawford School. Previously, Paul was General Manager of the FE2W Network and Managing Editor of the Global Water Forum.Martyn Pearce is a presenter for Policy For

Looking for a great podcast to keep you entertained on the drive home for Christmas dinner? Our joyful Policy Forum Pod team have got you covered. On this special end-of-year episode, from people power beyond the ballot box to an in-depth chat on poverty and climate change with Philip Alston, we present our favourite episodes for your listening pleasure, with a special appearance from some of our listeners. If you need some inspiration for your New Year’s resolutions, you might just find that too, as our presenters share their own ideas for the coming year.Paul Wyrwoll is an environmental and resources economist at Crawford School. Previously, Paul was General Manager of the FE2W Network and Managing Editor of the Global Water Forum.Sue Regan is a PhD Scholar and tutor at Crawford School of Public Policy. Previously, Sue was Chief Executive of the Resolution Foundation, a UK-based research institute focusing on the well-being of low earners.Liam Hughes is a listener of Policy Forum Pod. He is a student at the

Despite the fact that more people are moving to cities globally, some places are increasingly struggling with slower population growth, lower incomes and higher unemployment rates. One example of such urban decline is Dandenong, a diverse multicultural suburb of Melbourne, that has been facing a number of social and economic challenges. On this episode, we talk to Crawford School Director Professor Helen Sullivan about her research into the revitalisation of Dandenong, and the story it tells about cultural pluralism and the importance of collaboration between different levels of government. Helen also discusses why policymakers must pause and listen first if they want to create successful revitalisation plans.Pod presenters Sue Regan and Martyn Pearce also dive into some of your questions and comments and welcome new members to our Facebook Podcast group.Helen Sullivan is Director of Crawford School of Public Policy. She has published widely on public policy, public governance and public service reform, and i

Amazing new technologies in the areas of artificial intelligence and genetics have benefitted societies and greatly rewarded their innovators, but access to resources that help people innovate is not equal. On this episode of Policy Forum Pod, we invited Andrew Leigh MP to the pod bridge to talk about his new book, find out why Australians seem to fear innovation failure, and how we can support the next generation to explore the universe of innovations. We also touch upon the role of universities in building stronger partnerships between students and businesses, and discuss why excellent innovations first need excellent teachers.Our pod presenters Sue Regan and Martyn Pearce also tackle some of your questions and comments.Andrew Leigh is the Shadow Assistant Minister for Treasury and Charities and Member for Fenner. Prior to his election in 2010, Andrew was a professor of economics at The Australian National University. Andrew's new book, Innovation + Equality: How to Create a Future That Is More Star Trek Th

As the nation is ravaged by bushfire and drought, and as yet another political row breaks out over the role of climate change in all this, our Great Green Debate all-star team comes back for the second leg of the Great Green Debate cup clash. On this episode, Shane Rattenbury MLA, Dr Liz Hanna, and Dr Imran Ahmad take on a wide range of audience-submitted questions from our recent live event, looking at why it is high time to speak about climate change in the context of Australia’s dramatic bushfires, how we can ensure a just energy transition, and what peaceful protests can really do to spur climate action.Imran Ahmad is Founding Director of Future Earth Australia, former Director of East-Asia and Pacific at the Global Green Growth Institute, and an Honorary Associate Professor at the Fenner School of Environment and Society.Shane Rattenbury is the ACT government’s Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability.Liz Hanna is a Fellow in the ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment and Chair of the Env

Trust in democracy is falling in Western countries – including Australia. On one side, we see growing protests about the government’s response to climate change, while at the other extreme people are feeling increasingly disengaged by politics. So on this week’s Policy Forum Pod we ask, how can we make sure that the voice of citizens is heard in policy? To tackle this question, we’re joined by Associate Professor Jennifer Lees-Marshment, Associate Professor Carolyn Hendriks, and Peter Martin. The panel also discuss Scott Morrison’s clampdown on environmental protesters, and why social media has hampered rather than helped productive political dialogue.Pod presenters Professor Quentin Grafton and Julia Ahrens also discuss the reaction to Quentin’s call for Australia to declare a ‘water emergency’, welcome some of our new Facebook group friends, and look at some of your questions and comments.Carolyn Hendriks is Associate Professor of Public Policy and Governance, at ANU Crawford School of Public Policy. Her wo

Australia’s illicit drug policies are complex and vary between states and territories. Despite recent pushes to decriminalise cannabis in the Australian Capital Territory or to minimise harm through pill-testing at festivals - both of which have been opposed by the federal government - attempts to regulate illicit drug use have mostly been pursued through prohibition.On this Policy Forum Pod, we talk to David Caldicott, Desmond Manderson, and Tracy Fenwick about why ‘zero tolerance’ policies are causing more harm than good, and how states and territories can act as policy laboratories to develop better solutions. They also discuss why the legalisation of cannabis always needs to go hand in hand with effective quality controls for marijuana crops.Pod presenters Paul Wyrwoll and Julia Ahrens also discuss the government’s new expert panel appointed to find ways to cut emissions and take a look at your comments, questions and suggestions for future episodes of Policy Forum Pod.Desmond Manderson is a Professor in

Compared to its OECD peers, Australia has an above-average poverty rate, and couples this with rising rates of homelessness, an increasingly casualised workforce, and dole rates so low that a chorus of voices from across the political spectrum are calling for an increase in Newstart payment.But has the country really got the measure of poverty rates and their impacts? What’s life really like on the breadline? And what policies do we need to ensure a social welfare system that protects the most vulnerable in society? This week on Policy Forum Pod a brilliant panel - Nicole Wiggins, Dr John Falzon, and Professor Matthew Gray - tackle these questions and more.Pod presenters Professor Sharon Bessell and Martyn Pearce also discuss Australia’s Anti-Poverty Week, Australia’s Women of Influence, whether writing to MPs is an effective way of changing policy, and last week’s Great Green Debate live event.Professor Matthew Gray is Director of the Centre for Social Research and Methods at The Australian National Universi

Our cities are changing rapidly giving rise to a plethora of sustainability challenges. On this Policy Forum Pod extra, we chat to Tayanah O’Donnell about what Future Earth does in the urban context, and why governments, industry, researchers, and citizens must work together to shape our future cities in a sustainable way.We also talk to Tayanah about the climate strike protests, and she shares her thoughts on whether Australia should declare a climate emergency.Tayanah O’Donnell is Director of Future Earth Australia, based at the Australian Academy of Science.Julia Ahrens is a presenter on Policy Forum Pod.Show notes | The following were referred to in this episode:Future Earth AustraliaPolicy Forum Pod is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Subscribe on Android or wherever you get your podcasts. We’d love to hear your feedback for this podcast series! Send in your questions, comments, or suggestions for future episodes to podcast@policyforum.net. You can also Tweet us @APPSPolicyForum or join us