Voices of Australia

Season 4 | Episode 6 - The size and urbanisation of our demographics with Peter McDonald AO

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 Population Ageing Research (CEPAR).
His work has shaped national and international thinking on population policy, fertility, and urbanisation, and he has advised governments and global institutions over several decades.
In this episode, we explore how population size and urbanisation are reshaping Australia, what these trends mean for everyday life, and how demographic change intersects with social cohesion and long-term planning.

Season 4 | Episode 5 - Our expectations of government - James Button, Writer and journalist

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 today, the role of transparency and performance in sustaining trust, and what this means for social cohesion in Australia. 

Season 4 | Episode 4 - Our commitment to freedom of religion - Herbert Um CEO, Faith Values

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 what freedom of religion means in practice, how it is experienced by different communities, and why it remains a key pillar of social cohesion in Australia today.

Season 4 | Episode 3 - Our multicultural makeup with Hass Dellal AO

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 with Hass about Australia’s multicultural journey, what belonging looks like in practice, and the challenges and opportunities for social cohesion today.

Season 4 | Episode 2 : Our history and immigration journey, and our response to it

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, he has held significant leadership positions. At the University of Canberra, he directs the Centre of Public Ideas to encourage public discourse and connect historical context to contemporary policy. Frank Bongiorno is also an author, with works including Dreamers and Schemers: A Political History of Australia (2022), which received the 2023 ACT Book of the Year award.

Season 4 | Episode 1: Our systems of elections and voting with Tom Rogers AO

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 his time as Commissioner, Tom served as Deputy Electoral Commissioner and Australian Electoral Officer for New South Wales. He also brings experience from executive leadership roles supporting public safety organisations.
In this episode, we speak with Tom about Australia’s electoral systems and voting processes, the foundations that support public trust in democratic processes, and how electoral institutions adapt to change.

Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 6 | Truth, Trust, and the Future of Democracy

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, and how fear-driven narratives shape political discourse.
They also examine the challenges of political accountability, voter scepticism, and the growing demand for transparency from politicians.
Public health messaging, particularly in engaging vaccine sceptics, is highlighted as an area requiring innovation.
Mary Gearin and Faine emphasise the importance of political diversity and civic engagement in strengthening democracy.
As voter expectations shift, they question how politicians and the media must adapt to restore trust. This final episode brings together key themes of the series, offering insights into the intersection of truth, trust, and political communication in today’s world.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Truth, Trust, and Politics
02:35 The Evolution of Facts and Mistruths
06:15 The Business of Misinformation
08:13 Democracy and Political Disengagement
11:00 The Role of Politicians in Society
15:43 Media's Accountability and the Fear Factor
20:35 The Existential Crisis of Journalism
23:44 The Evolving Landscape of Media Influence
26:14 Legacy Media vs. New Voices
28:14 Engaging the Vaccine Skeptics
32:01 Innovative Communication Strategies
36:49 Restoring Trust in Politics
41:24 The Future of Political Engagement

Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 5 | From Fear to Misinformation: The Politics of Social Media

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 where falsehoods can spread rapidly and influence public perception.
Professor Andrea Carson explores the challenges of regulating misinformation, the role of fact-checking and media literacy, and the responsibility of political leaders in shaping public trust.
In an era where trust in media and institutions is fragile, Andrea Carson argues that empowering the public with critical thinking skills is key to safeguarding democracy.
Chapters
00:00 Mapping the Information Ecosystem
02:53 The Impact of Misinformation on Politics
05:53 Regulating Misinformation and Disinformation
08:59 The Role of Fact-Checking in Trust
12:05 Youth, Social Media Literacy, and Trust
14:51 The Future of Political Discourse and Trust

Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 4 | Building Trust in Political Communication

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 Australia Institute, and Mark Kenny, journalist and Professor at ANU, to explore the crisis of trust in political communication.
They discuss the media’s role in shaping public perception, the impact of misinformation on elections, and the decline of trust in democratic institutions. With election campaigns becoming battlegrounds for misleading narratives, they examine whether stronger truth-in-political-advertising laws and greater media accountability could help restore public confidence.
How can politicians and the media rebuild credibility? Who should be held accountable for misinformation? And most importantly, how do we strengthen democracy before Australians head to the polls?
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Truth, Trust, and Politics
02:35 The Evolution of Facts and Mistruths
06:15 The Business of Misinformation
08:13 Democracy and Political Disengagement
11:00 The Role of Politicians in Society
15:43 Media's Accountability and the Fear Factor
20:35 The Existential Crisis of Journalism
23:44 The Evolving Landscape of Media Influence
26:14 Legacy Media vs. New Voices
28:14 Engaging the Vaccine Skeptics
32:01 Innovative Communication Strategies
36:49 Restoring Trust in Politics
41:24 The Future of Political Engagement

Voices of Australia Podcast | Truth, Trust & Politics | Episode 3 | Disconnected: Young Diverse Australians & Politics

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.
They reflect on how misinformation shapes community perceptions and how disengagement grows when political conversations exclude real experiences.
With trust in traditional media at an all-time low, young people are finding new ways to organise and have their voices heard, but social media also brings new risks of misinformation.
Although many are sceptical, rebuilding trust starts with listening and engaging meaningfully.
 
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Truth, Trust, and Politics
02:04 Misinformation and Its Impact on Communities
05:46 Political Disengagement and Its Consequences
09:15 Activism and the Role of Social Media
12:27 Global Citizenship and Political Awareness
16:46 The Role of Traditional Media in Combating Disinformation
23:27 The Shift from Traditional Media to Streaming
24:46 Erosion of Trust in Institutions
25:41 Engaging Young People in Communication
28:39 Authenticity in Political Engagement
30:54 The Role of Representation in Politics
32:54 Trust and Scepticism in Information
36:18 Navigating Misinformation in the Digital Age
40:27 Personal Strategies Against Disinformation
40:47 Strategy for Fact-Checking
46:50 Mary’s Conclusion
47:10 End Credits