A Middle Ground

In this episode of ‘A Middle Ground’, Griffith University’s Nance Haxton speaks with Professor Anne Tiernan about the federal election result, Queensland voters and Australia’s 46th parliament.

While much of Australia’s prosperity still comes from it’s regional heartland, rural issues have received little attention in this federal election campaign. This is despite recent devastating natural disasters across north-west Queensland, where more than 650-thousand head of cattle died in catastrophic floods, causing almost two billion dollars worth of damage. The Rural Press Club recently hosted a fundraiser and discussion on what should be done now to ensure the future of the regions, where we spoke to those affected about the difficult recovery they face. Griffith University’s Professor Fabrizio Carmagnani tells A Middle Ground podcast that the implementation of rural policies by all major parties is in desperate need of reform, to stop the overlap of federal, state and local governments and get more help to those who need it most.

The electorate of Dickson has historically been a changeable seat and it’s proving to be a nail biter in the federal election campaign. “A Middle Ground’s” Nance Haxton visited Dickson and found that voters were looking beyond personality politics in 2019.

Guns and the laws that govern their control are again in the spotlight, in the wake of the massacre of 50 people in two Christchurch mosques on March 15. Senior Research Fellow at Griffith University’s Violence Research and Prevention Program Dr Samara McPhedran has researched this extensively, and is urging policy makers to take a considered approach rather than rush to solve this complex issue. She tells A Middle Ground that the media also must examine the part it plays in reporting mass shootings, and says recent reports catching One Nation courting funding from the gun lobby, do not reveal any new information.

In this episode of ‘A Middle Ground’ Nance Haxton speaks with former Senator and leader of the Democrats, Natasha Stott-Despoja, about her new nook ‘On Violence’ and how the diminution of behavioural standards in federal parliament is part of the problem. Also in this episode, Nance talks with CEO of Greenpeace Asia Pacific David Ritter about his new book ’The Coal Truth’ and why Australians must demand better political representation.

In this episode of ‘A Middle Ground’, we speak to Anthony Albanese, the Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Cities, and Shadow Minister for Tourism. He tells Nance Haxton the policy detail that we rarely have the opportunity to hear, and also gives an insight into how he stays motivated after 23 years in Federal Parliament. Griffith University Professor of Politics and Policy Peter van Onselen also gives his perspective on why Anthony Albanese’s popularity endures.

In this episode of ‘A Middle Ground’, we look at the historic defeat of the government on the floor of parliament over refugee policy. Nance Haxton speaks to Griffith University Professor of Politics and Policy Peter van Onselen about the fallout from this tumultuous week in Canberra and how that Read more…

In this episode, we look at why Australian voters are becoming increasingly cynical about the people in power who lead our nation. Nance speaks to Griffith University Research fellow and lecturer Ferran Martinez Coma, about the sometimes surprising voting habits of Australians in his comprehensive study for the Australian Electoral Commission. He says that cynicism if left unchecked, is a threat to the democratic process, and it’s critical that politicians rebuild the trust of Australian citizens. And Nance also speaks to Griffith Review assistant editor Jerath Head about his top ten summer political reads to keep you company on the beach this holiday, as we look ahead to the pending federal election.

In this episode, Nance speaks with Professor Anne Tiernan on the state of Australia’s democracy, the benefits of Westminster over a presidential model and why politicians must renew faith with voters. She also comes to grips with Australia’s Drought Dilemma, speaking to farmers on the ground, and Griffith University Climate Change Institute Professor Brendan Mackey and Economics Professor Fabrizio Carmignani about how government policies need to shift to better respond to the changing climate.

In this episode of ‘A Middle Ground’ Nance Haxton speaks with Professor Caitlin Byrne Director of the Griffith Asia Institute at the launch of Australia’s Pacific Partnerships announcement by Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.