Menzies Research Centre

Menzies Research Centre
  • 5.0 (1)
  • News Commentary

Podcast by Menzies Research Centre

  1. May 27

    Why the establishment is failing: Inside the populist revolt

    What's really driving the rise of Pauline Hanson, Nigel Farage, and the global populist wave? Internationally renowned political strategist Isaac Levido joins the Menzies Research Centre's David Hughes to break down why voters across Australia, the UK, and the US are abandoning traditional parties in droves. From masterminding the 2019 Conservative and Liberal Party election wins, to working inside Downing Street, Isaac brings rare, frontline insight to the biggest political question of our time: why are voters so angry, and is anyone listening? We cover: Why the social contract between citizens and government has broken down The tech revolution that's making government look worse by comparison Why "small target" election strategies are backfiring on the ALP and Starmer's Labour What Pauline Hanson and Nigel Farage actually have in common How businesses can protect themselves in an era of voter rage and regulatory risk "Voters aren't stupid. They're doing everything right — working hard, paying their taxes — and they just can't get ahead." If you want to understand where Western democracy is heading, this is the conversation to watch. This podcast was recorded at a Menzies Research Centre event in May 2026. Join our mailing list: https://www.menziesrc.org/email Read out policy work: https://www.menziesrc.org/home Support the Menzies Research Centre: https://www.menziesrc.org/donate Timestamps: 00:00 – Global populism trends and data 02:11 – Introducing Isaac Levido 03:03 – From Regional NSW to the halls of power 06:46 – Why British conservatives keep hiring Australians 10:25 – Can a great campaigner also govern? Lessons from Downing Street 13:09 - How governments should build & spend political capital 15:50 - The "Small Target" trap: how Labor & Starmer won the wrong way 18:34 - Why u-turning politicians are destroying voter trust 23:01 – The establishment has misread voters for decades 26:32 – The tech divergence: why government looks worse by comparison 30:58 - Pauline Hanson vs. Nigel Farage: leaders or movements? 36:36 – What UK business really thinks about a Farage Government 40:41 – Was post-war stability the historical anomaly? 43:50 – How businesses misread their own customers and what to do about it 48:53 – Why companies should stay out of culture wars 52:20 – Closing remarks & will Isaac return to Australia?

    54 min

  2. 03/06/2025

    "We're actually poorer": The Decline of Australia I Senator Jane Hume

    Why are Australians feeling poorer despite their wages increasing? Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume sat down with the MRC's Centre for Youth Policy Director Freya Leach to discuss why Gen Z in particular are feeling the pain of Australia's cost of living crisis. Senator Hume also shuts down misconceptions that the Coalition's Super for Housing policy will rob potential home buyers of their retirement funding and explains why lifting labour productivity is critical to lifting the standard of living. Sign up to the Menzies Research Centre's weekly newsletter: https://www.menziesrc.org/email

    32 min

  3. 01/08/2025

    Boris Johnson: Trump, Brexit and Ukraine

    One of the world's most recognisable former statesmen dropped by the offices of the Menzies Research Centre in December to record a bonus podcast with our very own Freya Leach. To mark the recent publication of his new memoir, Unleashed, Boris Johnson sat down with Freya to discuss the reasons behind some of his signature policy positions, from Brexit to his strident support for Ukraine. Boris Johnson also reveals the Australian influence behind his route to the UK prime ministership and explains why he's optimistic about a second Trump presidency. Unleashed is available to purchase here: https://www.menziesrc.org/book-shop/unleashed Sign up to the Menzies Research Centre weekly newsletter here: https://www.menziesrc.org/email

    20 min

  4. 11/22/2024

    Rethinking Childcare: Erica Komisar joins Freya Leach

    Freya Leach, Director of the Centre for Youth Policy, is joined by Erica Komisar in this bonus episode of the Menzies Research Centre podcast, recorded on the sidelines of the ARC conference in Sydney. Erica is a psychoanalyst who brings fresh insights on how we can better raise our children. Her main work focuses on exposing the link between institutionalised childcare and the rising rates of mental health issues among young people like anxiety, depression, personality disorders, and ADHD. Read Freya's recent editorial on rethinking childcare and suggested policy proposals for strengthening the family unit: https://www.menziesrc.org/latest-research/rethinking-childcare Sign up to the weekly newsletter: https://www.menziesrc.org/email

    16 min

  5. 10/04/2024

    Behind the Brief: What it's like to work for a prime minister

    Freya Leach is joined by the MRC's new policy director and chief economist Nico Louw in this fascinating discussion covering the biggest public policy challenges of our time, from the Covid pandemic through to our current economic challenges. Nico, who was senior adviser to Scott Morrison and did several quarantine stints with the former PM, reflects on the challenges of making big policy decisions with little information during the Covid pandemic. He also shares why our inflation woes are homegrown, Australia's productivity problem and the drivers of the nation's housing crisis. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter: https://www.menziesrc.org/email

    47 min

  6. 09/12/2024

    Brendan Nelson: The Art of Leadership

    Brendan Nelson’s career path would confound any career counsellor. Over three decades he has been a general practitioner; President of the Australian Medical Association; a parliamentarian; Education and Defence Minister; Leader of the Opposition; Ambassador; and Director of the War Memorial. He is currently President of Boeing Global. Across all his fields of endeavour, Dr Nelson has been admired for his integrity and graciousness. In a special Watercooler Conversation with the MRC's David Hughes and Freya Leach, Dr Nelson reflects on the values that have shaped his public life. He discusses his political journey from former Labor voter to Liberal Party Leader and shares insights into some of the biggest geopolitical and social challenges of our time. A new publication of speeches delivered by Dr Nelson throughout his career is available for purchase from the MRC website: menziesrc.org/books

    48 min

  7. 09/05/2023

    Jacinta Price: The Voice and Victimhood

    In this special edition of the Menzies Research Centre Watercooler podcast, Senator Jacinta Price joins Freya Leach to address the concerns of young Australians about enshrining an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution. Senator Price, known for her work on Indigenous issues, provides her insights as a Shadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs. The episode delves into the distinction between constitutional recognition for Indigenous Australians, which has had bipartisan support since 2007, and an institutionalised Voice. This informative conversation sheds light on the ongoing debate surrounding Indigenous representation. Presented by David Hughes, Executive Director of Menzies Research Centre. Timeline: [00:01:25] Constitutional recognition and the voice. [00:04:23] Racism in Australian society. [00:09:59] The voice being legally risky. [00:13:27] The voice and family diversity. [00:16:28] Migrant community concerns. [00:20:07] Racial heritage and Indigenous disadvantage. [00:24:09] Democracy and the Uluru Statement. [00:29:59] Concerns of Indigenous Australians. [00:34:02] Land Rights Act reform. [00:36:26] Guilt and responsibility of colonisation. [00:40:50] Everyone has a right. [00:45:17] Human stories and hardships. [00:49:29] The most divisive referendum. Subscribe to the Watercooler newsletter: https://www.menziesrc.org/mailing-list Support these podcasts by becoming a paid subscriber from just $10 a month: https://www.menziesrc.org/subscribe1 Email David or Freya: watercooler@menziesrc.org

    48 min

  8. 07/27/2023

    True Believers: Nick Greiner

    In this series of Watercooler podcasts, we’re attempting something big: to define the virtues that unite Australian Liberals in the 21st century. Our starting point is the We Believe statement issued to mark the 10th anniversary of the Liberal Party in 1954. Each episode examines one of the 17 We Believe statements to discover the abiding Liberal virtues they contain. If a similar statement was to be written today, should the original statements be retained, revised or rejected? In this episode, Nick Cater is joined by former New South Wales premier Nick Greiner to discuss the role of the free individual and the free market.

    54 min
See All (134)

About

Podcast by Menzies Research Centre

Information

  • Creator
    Menzies Research Centre
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Menzies Research Centre

You Might Also Like