Mark Kenny
@markgkenny.bsky.social
Host, Democracy Sausage podcast. Director, Australian National University’s Aust Studies Institute. Columnist. Erstwhile chief political correspondent, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Canberra Times. 2025-26 FASIC Australia-in-China Fellow
Reposted by Mark Kenny
When hyperbole is the norm, should we be surprised that our politics has become less substantive?
#AUViews Read Now ausi.anu.edu.au/news/opinion... by @markgkenny.bsky.social via @canberratimes.bsky.social.
#AUViews Read Now ausi.anu.edu.au/news/opinion... by @markgkenny.bsky.social via @canberratimes.bsky.social.
January 5, 2026 at 5:39 AM
When hyperbole is the norm, should we be surprised that our politics has become less substantive?
#AUViews Read Now ausi.anu.edu.au/news/opinion... by @markgkenny.bsky.social via @canberratimes.bsky.social.
#AUViews Read Now ausi.anu.edu.au/news/opinion... by @markgkenny.bsky.social via @canberratimes.bsky.social.
From ‘very fine’ to ‘absolutely perfect’. How endemic exaggeration is diluting our comms and who benefits. @anuausi.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 12:44 AM
From ‘very fine’ to ‘absolutely perfect’. How endemic exaggeration is diluting our comms and who benefits. @anuausi.bsky.social
Spectacular shot. Passed through there myself just 2 days ago Robbie
December 28, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Spectacular shot. Passed through there myself just 2 days ago Robbie
Yes. We can’t know. I suspect the breadth and toxicity of openly antisemitic behaviour would be lower but the terror attacks themselves?
December 24, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Yes. We can’t know. I suspect the breadth and toxicity of openly antisemitic behaviour would be lower but the terror attacks themselves?
Spoke to The NYT about the cynical trajectory of politics and positioning amid genuine tragedy. @ANUausi
After Bondi Massacre, a Moment of Unity. Then, Bitter Partisanship. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/w...
After Bondi Massacre, a Moment of Unity. Then, Bitter Partisanship. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/w...
After Bondi Massacre, a Moment of Unity. Then, Bitter Partisanship.
www.nytimes.com
December 23, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Spoke to The NYT about the cynical trajectory of politics and positioning amid genuine tragedy. @ANUausi
After Bondi Massacre, a Moment of Unity. Then, Bitter Partisanship. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/w...
After Bondi Massacre, a Moment of Unity. Then, Bitter Partisanship. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/23/w...
Reposted by Mark Kenny
Ten years since the conservative campaign to kill section 18C. Remember?
December 22, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Ten years since the conservative campaign to kill section 18C. Remember?
Guns, violence and hate-speech.
December 21, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Guns, violence and hate-speech.
Reposted by Mark Kenny
"It became clear that 'Team Dutton' was running on little more than bloke-energy, an unaffordable nuclear policy and, crazily, higher taxes."
Read Now ausi.anu.edu.au/news/review-... by
@markgkenny.bsky.social via The Conversation Australia + NZ.
Read Now ausi.anu.edu.au/news/review-... by
@markgkenny.bsky.social via The Conversation Australia + NZ.
December 16, 2025 at 5:48 AM
"It became clear that 'Team Dutton' was running on little more than bloke-energy, an unaffordable nuclear policy and, crazily, higher taxes."
Read Now ausi.anu.edu.au/news/review-... by
@markgkenny.bsky.social via The Conversation Australia + NZ.
Read Now ausi.anu.edu.au/news/review-... by
@markgkenny.bsky.social via The Conversation Australia + NZ.
Reposted by Mark Kenny
OPINION @markgkenny.bsky.social “Niki Savva charts the journey to an election result that caught everyone by surprise. But ‘Earthquake’ is also a journey to the dead heart of the centre-right’s #Trump -addled identity crisis.” @albomp.bsky.social faces knotty challenges? #democracy flip.it/swGqOj
Niki Savva’s Earthquake is a damning account of the election that shook Australia
It became clear that “Team Dutton” was running on little more than bloke-energy, an unaffordable nuclear policy and, crazily, higher taxes.
flip.it
December 15, 2025 at 10:38 PM
OPINION @markgkenny.bsky.social “Niki Savva charts the journey to an election result that caught everyone by surprise. But ‘Earthquake’ is also a journey to the dead heart of the centre-right’s #Trump -addled identity crisis.” @albomp.bsky.social faces knotty challenges? #democracy flip.it/swGqOj
Parliamentary perks, quirks and jerks.
December 14, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Parliamentary perks, quirks and jerks.
Afghanistan has become a new South Africa and nobody cares! Crucial piece here. Australia’s position is better than most but…
www.smh.com.au/world/asia/u...
www.smh.com.au/world/asia/u...
Unspeakable violence against girls and women meets global silence
Australia has just introduced a world-leading sanctions regime against the Taliban, an important but insufficient step as the world turns away.
www.smh.com.au
December 14, 2025 at 4:02 AM
Afghanistan has become a new South Africa and nobody cares! Crucial piece here. Australia’s position is better than most but…
www.smh.com.au/world/asia/u...
www.smh.com.au/world/asia/u...
Reposted by Mark Kenny
@markgkenny.bsky.social on the Albanese's govt's failure to act beyond election promises:
"We have distortions in the property market getting worse... but we're not going to address negative gearing & capital gains tax concessions.
We're going to talk about immigration." #HousingCrisis #auspol
"We have distortions in the property market getting worse... but we're not going to address negative gearing & capital gains tax concessions.
We're going to talk about immigration." #HousingCrisis #auspol
December 9, 2025 at 8:18 PM
@markgkenny.bsky.social on the Albanese's govt's failure to act beyond election promises:
"We have distortions in the property market getting worse... but we're not going to address negative gearing & capital gains tax concessions.
We're going to talk about immigration." #HousingCrisis #auspol
"We have distortions in the property market getting worse... but we're not going to address negative gearing & capital gains tax concessions.
We're going to talk about immigration." #HousingCrisis #auspol
Reposted by Mark Kenny
‘In a telling irony, a report about transparency had been denied transparency. That the government felt relaxed about such obvious secrecy and then about retaining what are clearly flawed processes, is a bad sign.‘ - @markgkenny.bsky.social www.canberratimes.com.au/story/912810...
Albanese is riding high right now. That means the hits are just around the corner
Most political demises stem from this kind of arrogance.
www.canberratimes.com.au
December 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
‘In a telling irony, a report about transparency had been denied transparency. That the government felt relaxed about such obvious secrecy and then about retaining what are clearly flawed processes, is a bad sign.‘ - @markgkenny.bsky.social www.canberratimes.com.au/story/912810...
Reposted by Mark Kenny
#AUListen #DemocracySausage 🎙️@frankbongiorno.bsky.social joins @marijataflaga.bsky.social & @markgkenny.bsky.social to discuss the year that was, a landslide federal election victory, the rise of Teal and independent politicians and the split in the conservative Coalition.
🎧 bit.ly/4ayymVJ
🎧 bit.ly/4ayymVJ
December 5, 2025 at 3:13 AM
#AUListen #DemocracySausage 🎙️@frankbongiorno.bsky.social joins @marijataflaga.bsky.social & @markgkenny.bsky.social to discuss the year that was, a landslide federal election victory, the rise of Teal and independent politicians and the split in the conservative Coalition.
🎧 bit.ly/4ayymVJ
🎧 bit.ly/4ayymVJ
Reposted by Mark Kenny
#Taiwan’s representative in #Finland has just performed on stage in a bit of metal diplomacy. Apparently his wife was on bass. All other diplomats watch and learn. ;-)
m.youtube.com/shorts/rADk5...
m.youtube.com/shorts/rADk5...
Taiwanese ambassador to Finland rocks the stage with his metal band at Formosa Finland Fest
YouTube video by Mothership
m.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:54 AM
#Taiwan’s representative in #Finland has just performed on stage in a bit of metal diplomacy. Apparently his wife was on bass. All other diplomats watch and learn. ;-)
m.youtube.com/shorts/rADk5...
m.youtube.com/shorts/rADk5...
Australia’s mystifying each-way bet on social harm
November 30, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Australia’s mystifying each-way bet on social harm
Reposted by Mark Kenny
Thanks to @markgkenny.bsky.social for inviting me to speak at the Stephen Fitzgerald Scholars Program event today. It's always a pleasure to be a part of this amazing program.
November 26, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Thanks to @markgkenny.bsky.social for inviting me to speak at the Stephen Fitzgerald Scholars Program event today. It's always a pleasure to be a part of this amazing program.
Can the centre hold in Australian politics? Not if key players stop trying
November 23, 2025 at 7:56 AM
Can the centre hold in Australian politics? Not if key players stop trying
Reposted by Mark Kenny
📢 #AUListen #DemocracySausage 🎙️ Independent ACT Senator David Pocock joins @marijataflaga.bsky.social and @markgkenny.bsky.social to challenge both major parties on climate policy, gambling reform and political transparency.
Listen Now 🎧 ausi.anu.edu.au/news/democra....
Listen Now 🎧 ausi.anu.edu.au/news/democra....
November 21, 2025 at 3:21 AM
📢 #AUListen #DemocracySausage 🎙️ Independent ACT Senator David Pocock joins @marijataflaga.bsky.social and @markgkenny.bsky.social to challenge both major parties on climate policy, gambling reform and political transparency.
Listen Now 🎧 ausi.anu.edu.au/news/democra....
Listen Now 🎧 ausi.anu.edu.au/news/democra....
Reposted by Mark Kenny
New #ResponsibleBytesPodcast episode with Alison Kershaw chatting about science communication and generative AI 👇🏼
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts 🔗🔗
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU...
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/r...
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: www.youtube.com/@Responsible...
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts 🔗🔗
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU...
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/r...
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: www.youtube.com/@Responsible...
November 19, 2025 at 9:42 PM
New #ResponsibleBytesPodcast episode with Alison Kershaw chatting about science communication and generative AI 👇🏼
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts 🔗🔗
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU...
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/r...
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: www.youtube.com/@Responsible...
Listen anywhere you get your podcasts 🔗🔗
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲: open.spotify.com/show/2x2yNvU...
𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐬: podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/r...
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐓𝐮𝐛𝐞: www.youtube.com/@Responsible...
Reposted by Mark Kenny
📢 #ICYMI #AUListen #DemocracySausage In this special live recording from the 2025 Whitlam Symposium, @markgkenny.bsky.social hosts a star-studded panel discussing the 50th anniversary of the Dismissal.
🎧 Listen Now: ausi.anu.edu.au/news/democra....
🎧 Listen Now: ausi.anu.edu.au/news/democra....
November 14, 2025 at 2:28 AM
📢 #ICYMI #AUListen #DemocracySausage In this special live recording from the 2025 Whitlam Symposium, @markgkenny.bsky.social hosts a star-studded panel discussing the 50th anniversary of the Dismissal.
🎧 Listen Now: ausi.anu.edu.au/news/democra....
🎧 Listen Now: ausi.anu.edu.au/news/democra....