Voices of Australia

Today’s guest is Professor Peter McDonald AO  One of the world’s most influential demographers and a leading expert on population policy, fertility, and migration. He currently serves as an Honorary Professor of Demography at the University of Melbourne and Emeritus Professor at the Australian National University, while also acting as a Chief Investigator for the ARC Centre of Excellence in Popula...

Today’s episode features James Button James is a writer, journalist, and communication strategist with a long career analysing politics, leadership, and public trust. His work focuses on how governments communicate, how citizens engage with institutions, and how expectations of leadership are formed and tested. In this episode, we speak with James about what Australians expect from government toda...

Herbert Um is the CEO of Faith Values, an Australian national initiative focused on the intersection of education, multifaith collaboration, and social cohesion. His work focuses on supporting respectful dialogue across faith communities and strengthening understanding of freedom of religion within Australia’s democratic and multicultural framework. In this episode, we speak with Herbert about wha...

Hass is the Chair and founder of the Australian Multicultural Foundation and has been a leading voice on multiculturalism and social cohesion in Australia for more than three decades. His work has focused on strengthening community relationships, promoting inclusion, and supporting cross-cultural and interfaith dialogue, both nationally and internationally. In this episode, Anthea Hancocks speaks...

Frank Bongiorno AM is a distinguished Australian historian and author who currently serves as the Donald Horne Professor of History and Public Ideas at the University of Canberra. He is the inaugural director of the university's Vice-Chancellor's Centre of Public Ideas (COPI), a role he commenced in February 2026 after a long tenure at the Australian National University.   Throughout his career, h...

Tom is a former Australian Electoral Commissioner, serving from 2014 to 2024…the longest tenure in the Australian Electoral Commission's history. In that role, he led the delivery of multiple federal elections, numerous by-elections, and the first referendum in nearly a quarter of a century, helping build the AEC’s reputation as one of the most trusted agencies in Australia’s public sector. Before...

In this final instalment of Truth, Trust, and Politics, Mary Gearin interviews former ABC colleague Jon Faine, reflecting on the evolving media landscape, misinformation, and political trust. They discuss how social media has fueled misinformation, widening the gap between facts and public perception. The conversation explores the decline of traditional media, the rise of new influential voices, a...

The Spread of Misinformation: Lessons from the Voice to Parliament Referendum In this episode, Mary Gearin interviews Andrea Carson, who unpacks the complexities of misinformation and disinformation, particularly in the lead-up to the Voice to Parliament referendum. Drawing on her extensive research, Andrea Carson examines how social media has reshaped political discourse, creating an environment...

With the 2025 federal election approaching, trust in politics and the media is at an all-time low. Unchecked misinformation is spreading, political discourse is increasingly polarised, and voters struggle to separate fact from fiction. Can we rebuild trust before it’s too late? In this episode, Mary Gearin speaks with Bill Browne, Director of the Democracy & Accountability Program at The Austr...

In the third episode, we explore the Disengagement Dilemma: Why young Australians, particularly those from migrant backgrounds, are turning away from politics. Mary Gearin leads a compelling conversation with Kos Samaras, Founder of RedBridge, and Nor Shanino, CEO of Ubuntu Project, as they unpack the impact of misinformation, political disengagement, and rising youth activism on social media. The...

In this thought-provoking episode, Zali Steggall MP joins seasoned political analyst Michael Maley to explore one of the most pressing issues of our time: truth in politics. Together, they unpack the growing challenges of misinformation, the rise of "alternative facts," and the historical attempts to regulate truth in political advertising. In this conversation led by Mary Gearin, they delve into...

In this conversation, Mary Gearin and Kate Torney OAM discuss the declining trust in journalism and its interrelation with political discourse and other institutions. Kate Torney emphasises the need for journalism to reflect on its role and constructively engage with audiences, particularly younger generations. Kate Torney also advocates for a shift from traditional conflict journalism to construc...

In Episode 10 of Voices of Australia, Scanlon Institute's CEO Anthea Hancocks unpacks the interdependency of health and social cohesion with two highly respected public health physicians. Healthcare leader and infectious disease expert Associate Professor Kudzai Kanhutu from the University of Melbourne and Royal Australasian College of Physicians, together with Professor Benjamin Cowie Professoria...

This episode features Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute interviewing journalist Peter Mares and Dr Cressida Gaukroger on the escalating issue of inequality in Australia, and its multifaceted impact on society, democracy, and social cohesion. The conversation explores the ways in which inequality is manifesting, particularly through the housing market, and the implic...

In this episode, Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute chats to Grace Williams, founder of Citizen Tasmania about the organisation's work and its efforts to support migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in resettling in Tasmania. The conversation delves into the challenges these individuals face, the role of education and social capital in their integration, and the im...

Episode 7 of the Voices of Australia podcast looks at the impact of businesses and industry on creating a socially cohesive community. Join Scanlon Institute's CEO Anthea Hancocks, as she discusses the topic in depth with Prisma Legal founder and Chair of the Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce, Fotini Kypraios, and Deakin University Industry Professor Robin Scott (former Minister of Victorian...

In this episode, Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute talks to Nathaniel Diong, founder and CEO of Future Minds Network on the transformative power of education and social enterprise in preparing young people for an uncertain future. Nathaniel shares his personal journey of overcoming a sense of helplessness after high school and discusses the pivotal role of education...

In episode 5, Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute talks to Em James (Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association) and Rosita Vincent (Neighbourhood Collective Australia) about the important role neighbourhood houses play in building social cohesion.   You will hear from two different perspectives on how neighbourhoods activate to respond to community needs...

Fostering Trust: Keys to Economic Growth and Community Harmony Episode 4 of the Voices of Australia podcast explores the crucial role of trust in nurturing economic prosperity and social unity. Hosted by Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute (SFRI), this episode features Ian Harper AO, a renowned economist, academic and distinguished public commentator. Ian shares profo...

In Episode 3 of the Scanlon Institute’s Voices of Australia podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome the acclaimed AFLW player Emma Kearney. Join our host, Anthea Hancocks, as they delve into a conversation about the role of sport in breaking down barriers and fostering community. We know that sports have the power to bring people together, but through our guests, we explore this impact even further. An...

In the second episode of Season 3 of the Voices of Australia podcast, we explore the influence of media/social media on social cohesion. Host Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute, is joined by guests Jon Faine AM, former ABC radio presenter and author and Misha Ketchell, Editor of The Conversation AU and NZ.    Through the lens’ of two of Australia’s well respected jou...

Join us for the Scanlon Institute's Voices of Australia Podcast Season 3 debut episode, where we delve into the intersection of social cohesion and humour with our guest, Diana Nguyen. Hosted by Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute, this episode promises a lively exploration of how laughter can bridge cultural divides and strengthen community bonds. In this episode, Di...

Australia is poised at, what Dr James O’Donnell (our Mapping Social Cohesion Report lead author) calls, a ‘critical junction’. In an ever-shifting global context, we find ourselves navigating rapid technological advances, changing demographics, and the pressing mandate of environmental action. While many might perceive these macro challenges as the domain of policymakers in distant corridors of po...

As recent data from the Australia Bureau of Statistics suggests, the spiritual landscape of our nation is undergoing a profound shift.   With Christianity still the dominant faith, a rising 38.9% of Australians now identify as non-religious, while other faiths, such as Hinduism and Islam, continue to grow.   How does this reflect the evolving dynamics of Australia's social fabric? What does it mea...

Today, we’re focusing on Discrimination: How does it influence our society, and what should we do to move from acknowledging its existence to taking action against it?   Research from the Diversity Council Australia found notable disparities in discrimination and harassment rates amongst various groups, from our First Nations People to individuals with disabilities and the LGBTQIA+ community. A si...