The Issues Tree

Mandala Partners

Policy that works doesn’t happen by accident.  The Issues Tree cuts through the noise to show you how Australia’s biggest policy challenges could be solved, straight from the people doing the work.  Hosted by Mandala Partners' Adam Triggs, each episode unpacks the evidence, innovation and insider knowledge that policymakers, change makers and thought leaders need.  Smart conversation, zero jargon, more impact. Our current series, Innovating Social Policy, is a four-part exploration that challenges stereotypes and what you think you know. This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

  1. 19 JAN

    The Social Investment: Jenny Macklin, Donna de Zwart and Ben McAlpine on why poverty policy pays dividends

    In Australia, one in seven adults and one in six children are living in poverty, even though we are the world's 15th largest economy. So why is poverty such an enduring challenge in Australia? And what are the opportunities to improve this?  Former Minister Jenny Macklin unpacks why JobSeeker is the gaping hole in Australia's safety net and how an increase to JobSeeker could lift individuals out of poverty. Donna de Zwart discusses Fitted for Work's powerful models of supporting women and gender diverse job seekers into employment and financial independence. And Ben McAlpine explains the false economy of cutting social services. The provocation: investing in poverty reduction saves more than it costs in the long term. This episode is part of our four-part ‘Innovating social policy’ miniseries and draws on Mandala Partners' research on investments in social policy. Find it at mandalapartners.com. Guests: Hon Jenny Macklin AC, Chair, Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee Donna de Zwart, Managing Director, Fitted for Work Ben McAlpine, Director of Policy and Advocacy, NSW Council of Social Service Hosts: Adam Triggs, Partner, Mandala Aadya Mishra, Analyst, Mandala This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples. We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  2. 12/12/2025

    The Future of Care: Mark Woodland and Liz Cameron Smith on Innovation in Social Services

    “The care sector is stuck in old ways of doing things."  But is it? We dismantle the myth that innovation doesn’t happen in social services and show what’s possible when we think beyond traditional service delivery. Mark Woodland built an AI platform that reduced disability service wait times from 12 months to weeks. Liz Cameron-Smith shares how Youth Foyers are mobilising capital to end youth homelessness. This episode is part of our four-part Innovating Social Policy miniseries and draws on Mandala Partners' research on productivity and innovation in the care sector. Find it at mandalapartners.com. Guests: Mark Woodland, Founder & CEO of Kismet Liz Cameron-Smith, Co-CEO Foyer Foundation Hosts: Adam Triggs, Partner, Mandala Sasa Vanek, Analyst, Mandala This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples. We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min
  • 2 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Policy that works doesn’t happen by accident.  The Issues Tree cuts through the noise to show you how Australia’s biggest policy challenges could be solved, straight from the people doing the work.  Hosted by Mandala Partners' Adam Triggs, each episode unpacks the evidence, innovation and insider knowledge that policymakers, change makers and thought leaders need.  Smart conversation, zero jargon, more impact. Our current series, Innovating Social Policy, is a four-part exploration that challenges stereotypes and what you think you know. This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Mandala Partners
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mandala Partners 2025
  • Show Website
    The Issues Tree