Best Per Capita Australia Podcasts (2025)

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Carbon Footprints with Ketan Joshi 1:08:45

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2h ago1:08:45

1:08:45

How much energy will AI really burn? Climate writer and activist Ketan Joshi joins Burning Platforms to chat AI and Climate: what we know, what we don’t know and what data centres have to do with yogurt tubs. Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss: Meta’s …

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RadicalXChange with Jess Scully 1:04:48

16d ago1:04:48

1:04:48

Is Big Tech’s domination of AI inevitable or are there different ways of organising our data to shift the power the dynamic? We discuss the RadicalXChange project with its new director, Jess Scully. Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss: Government blocks…

1
How Can Democracy Survive AI? LIVE IN PERTH 1:09:15

18d ago1:09:15

1:09:15

AI is transforming our world at rapid speed, raising urgent questions about who benefits, who loses, and how we keep control of the future. Panellists from the Burning Platforms podcast and guests, explore the promises and pitfalls of AI - and what’s at stake for all Australians. Panellists include: Lizzie O’Shea: Human Rights Lawyer & Chairperson,…

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JCL Series: Political Skills and the Art of Influence with Dr Wesa Chau 33:58

21d ago33:58

33:58

Political skills are the skills to build trust, influence, and persuade others to support a decision within a political context. These abilities underpin effective political leadership, advocacy, and decision-making, yet they are often invisible and difficult to define. This is especially true for people from minority backgrounds who may not be as …

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Bursting Bubbles with Dan McQuillan 1:05:48

1M ago1:05:48

1:05:48

By Per Capita Australia

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Cooking with Cam Wilson 1:08:53

2M ago1:08:53

1:08:53

The co-author of ‘Conspiracy Nation’ takes us on his journey into the world of anti-vaxxers, wellness influencers and sovereign citizens. Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss: The call for AI Red Lines The rise of Work Slop And Murdoch’s Tik-Tok play. In…

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JCL Series: Catch and Kill - Politics of Power with Joel Deane 28:11

2M ago28:11

28:11

Power is the only measure of a politician that matters. How they win power. How they wield power. How they lose power. This new edition of an Australian classic features a new introduction by the author taking into account the latest developments in Australian politics. Catch and Kill is an inside account of the beguiling and nomadic nature of that…

1
Tech Check with Damian Kassabgi 1:05:58

2M ago1:05:58

1:05:58

The tech industry is pitching data mining and new infrastructure as the key to national prosperity. But will it deliver? And if so, for whom? Tech Council of Australia CEO, Damian Kassabgi joins regular panelists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis for the latest episode of Burning Pl…

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JCL Series: A Fair Day's Work: the quest to win back time with Sean Scalmer 40:50

3M ago40:50

40:50

The length of the working day and the challenges of work–life balance are pressing issues for many Australians, as well as lively matters of public controversy. While the winning of the eight-hour day is celebrated as a past industrial achievement, contemporary discussions of working hours often overlook its rich history. Professor of History, Sean…

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Stolen Property with Peter Garrett 58:56

3M ago58:56

58:56

“I’m concerned that AI and big tech – well, big tech with AI – has gone into a full-court press… particularly on the federal system...I’m concerned that without thinking it through clearly enough, policy makers won’t essentially subject the slogans to sufficient scrutiny.” This week on Burning Platforms, we recorded our special briefing for cultura…

1
Industrial Base with Minister Tim Ayres 52:05

3M ago52:05

52:05

New Federal industry and science minister Tim Ayres shares his take on industry policy, AI's opportunities and risks, and how we could steer through the latest wave of tech change. With regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis To discuss the issues raised in this episod…

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Digital New Deal with Johanna Weaver 1:02:33

4M ago1:02:33

1:02:33

Can Australia play a leading role in imagining a tech future that isn’t controlled by either the US or China? Johanna Weaver from the Tech Policy Design Institute expands on her recent essay ‘System Update - An Australian-led new deal for tech’ - https://www.australianforeignaffairs.com/essay/2025/06/tech-wars Regular panellists Digital Rights Watc…

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JCL Series: Looking forward and looking back: why do tax reform? with Prof. Miranda Stewart 33:13

4M ago33:13

33:13

The Federal Government recently announced a Productivity Roundtable, indicating that broad tax reform will be part of the discussion to tackle the economic pressures our country faces today, to boost national prosperity, to reduce growing inequality and to improve living standards for future generations. Following the popularity of her keynote spee…

1
Poisoning AI with Prof Toby Walsh 1:04:22

4M ago1:04:22

1:04:22

The Large Language Models are powered by stolen data but there are new and innovative ways to make the thieves pay. Professor Toby Walsh explains the tech-driven resistance to Big AI from data poisoning to responsible cloud computing. With panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Editor of the Sizzle Cam Wilson, and Per Capita’s Peter L…

1
Scammed! With Alex Brooks 1:05:42

5M ago1:05:42

1:05:42

"I thought old people got scammed. And actually young people are at greater risk because they have more confidence in dealing [with things] online." This week on Burning Platforms, the team learns how the financial scam industry has become an enthusiastic early adapter of AI and how the banks are working around the clock to ensure they aren’t the o…

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JCL Series: No Power Greater: A History of Union Action in Australia With Dr Liam Byrne 34:33

5M ago34:33

34:33

Unions are making a comeback. Labour disputes around the world have hit the headlines as unions take action to challenge inequality. But while media coverage has increased, understanding of unions has not. Liam Byrne seeks to illuminate what unionism means, exploring why successive generations of working people organised unions and nurtured them fo…

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Dr Alondra Nelson’s Intelligence 1:05:09

5M ago1:05:09

1:05:09

"What could things have become? You could imagine if the baton had been passed from the Obama administration to a Clinton administration... an American public much more ready... for the turns in AI that we are facing now." On this week's Burning Platforms, our panel spends some quality time with the architect of the Biden Administration’s AI execut…

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Re:CAP - Winning For Women 27:34

6M ago27:34

27:34

Welcome back to Re:CAP! On this episode, acting Executive Director, Sarah McKenzie is joined by the Executive Director of the Chifley Research Centre, Emma Dawson, to chat about how the upcoming federal parliament will be the first gender-equal parliament in Australian history. Read Sarah’s blog on this historical achievement: “A Question of Quotas…

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Grok-ing Out with Julie Inman-Grant 1:04:19

6M ago1:04:19

1:04:19

Burning Platforms struggles to make sense of white genocide, design unicorns and the all-seeing Apple Eye. E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant joins regular panellists Digital Rights Watch founder Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis for our regular dive into the world of tech and politics. Don't forget to s…

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JCL Series: Making Progress - How good policy happens 38:52

6M ago38:52

38:52

Is big policy reform still possible? Does Australia have the political will to tackle generational issues such as climate change, the housing crisis, rising inequality and Closing the Gap? Legendary Labor policymaker Jenny Macklin believes that if Australia wants to remain prosperous and fair, big policy reform is not just possible, it's essential.…

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The Holy Trinity Edition 1:05:54

6M ago1:05:54

1:05:54

Good things come in threes and this week’s Burning Platforms looks at the inspiration behind the new Pope’s decision to name himself Leo, the critical changes to the Labor Government’s front bench and Mark Zuckerberg maximum number of friends. Regular panellists Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’…

1
2025 Federal Election Special (or Much Ado About Nothing) 1:01:32

7M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

With a federal election within days, Burning Platforms looks at the lack of discussion about tech and whether that is a good or bad thing. With Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea, Per Capita’s Peter Lewis and special guests, Editor of The Sizzle, Cam Wilson and Dr Rys Farthing from Reset Australia. Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier,…

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JCL Series: Gippsland's Community-led New Energy Transformation, with Senator Jess Walsh 32:50

7M ago32:50

32:50

Gippsland has proudly powered Victoria for generations. Now it’s forging a new energy future, powered by abundant resources of offshore wind and community spirit. Senator Jess Walsh details her experience with Gippsland’s community driven energy shift, the critical role of government in making it happen, and how to cut through the nuclear noise to …

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Distilling the Slop 1:00:33

7M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

As the world teeters on the brink of whatever comes after globalisation we dive deep into the way AI is transforming film-making with the director of the iconic Australian film Kenny, Clay Jacobson. Our regular panel of Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health engine CEO Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis also discuss: The theory that…

1
Taxing Times 56:50

8M ago56:50

56:50

On this week's episode of Burning Platforms, the gang looks at global efforts to force Big Tech to pay their share of tax with special guest Dr Mark Zirnsak from the Tax Justice Network. With our regular panelists Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine Dan Stinton and Per Capita’s Peter Lewis. Don't forget to subscribe to The Town …

1
JCL Series: A Better Australia: Politics, Public Policy and How to Achieve Lasting Reform 35:17

8M ago35:17

35:17

An inside look at effective policy making, realised through hard-won public policy battles. What does successful public policy look like, and how has it been achieved in Australia? John Brumby and Stuart Kells, co-authors of "In A Better Australia" joined Per Capita for their March John Cain Lunch. Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our researc…

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The National Trust 1:01:58

8M ago1:01:58

1:01:58

This week on Burning Platforms, we dive deep into a new initiative to understand the role of Trust in the relationship between society and technology with special guest, Professor Terry Flew. With regular panelists Per Capita’s Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea and Health Engine Dan Stinton, we'll also look at: Data Centre Diplo…

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Re:CAP - Post Community Tax Summit Chats with Miranda Stewart 32:13

8M ago32:13

32:13

In the latest episode of Re:CAP, Emma Dawson is joined by professor Miranda Stewart to unpack her keynote address from the Community Tax Summit, as well as discuss some of the other takeaways from the summit. Join our new early career policy network for policy professionals, students and anyone interested in learning more about how they can influen…

1
World Gone Wild 51:18

9M ago51:18

51:18

Burning Platforms is back for 2025. With the tech overlords in the ascendant, particularly following the US election, we take stock of the impending inferno with our regular panel Per Capita’s Peter Lewis, Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine Dan Stinton, and special guest, fresh from the Paris AI Summit, Professor Nick Davis fro…

1
JCL Series: The Elephant in the Room with Thomas Walker and Emma Dawson 33:01

9M ago33:01

33:01

All our lives, we’ve been told that hard work leads to economic security and a good life. For many younger Australians, particularly those without family wealth, this now feels like a lie. Instead of being able to set up their lives, young people are loaded up with increased education and housing debt, or stuck paying unaffordable rents to grow the…

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Re:CAP - 2024 Tax Survey and the Community Tax Summit 2025 26:05

9M ago26:05

26:05

Re:CAP is back for 2025 with a new episode covering Per Capita's annual Tax Survey and the upcoming Community Tax Summit. Essential's Peter Lewis joined Emma Dawson for a chat about how the Tax Survey unveils Australian's growing belief that the current tax and transfer system makes income and wealth inequality worse and how this sentiment inspired…

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Setting the Guardrails 1:03:21

11M ago1:03:21

1:03:21

In our final episode of 2024 we unpack the recent Senate Report into the Adoption of AI in Australia with Committee Chair Senator Tony Sheldon. We also look at: Woolworth's industrial dispute over workplace surveillance Why Meta is building a deep sea cable to India How TikTok was gamed to deliver an election boil over in Romania With regular panel…

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JCL Series: Iola Mathews, on her book "Race Mathews - A Life in Politics" 42:12

12M ago42:12

42:12

An idealist as well as a pragmatist, and someone who believes passionately in equality, democracy and empowerment, Race Mathews has inspired and mentored many. Drawing on a memoir Race began, but did not finish, and interviews, articles, speeches, books and her own diaries, Iola Mathews, journalist, author and Race’s partner for over fifty years, p…

1
Strange Bedfellows 1:05:45

12M ago1:05:45

1:05:45

Burning Platforms dives deep into the common ground between national security and individual privacy with cybersecurity expert Miah Hammond-Errey, host of the Technology and Security podcast. Also this week: * Bunnings wrapped over facial recognition * Trump’s crypto bonanza * and could the Social Media Ban have a silver lining? Panelists: * Digita…

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John Cain Oration 2024 - Minister Clare O'Neil 28:02

12M ago28:02

28:02

Housing affordability is one of the defining issues of the Australian political landscape today. Our housing market and housing policy are failing a significant proportion of the Australian people. This crisis has been long in the making; the result of decades of deliberate choices. Clare O’Neil MP, Minister for Housing and Minister for Homelessnes…

1
The Tech-Bro Election 1:00:42

1y ago1:00:42

1:00:42

The upcoming US Presidential elections will shape - and be shaped by - the Web3 community. We talk with Mark Monfort from the Aus De-Fi Association on what the moment means. He joins our panel of Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton, digital rights advocate Kate Bower and Peter Lewis from Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square. Also this week:* The new …

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Re:CAP - The Way In 2024, Gender 40:05

1y ago40:05

40:05

This week on Re:CAP, Emma Dawson was joined by co-founder and co-CEO for Gender Lens, Tanja Kovac, continuing our dissection of Per Capita’s new report The Way In 2024. The Way In 2024 is the third report in a series which examines the backgrounds of elected members of Federal Parliament. It follows our analysis of the 45th and 46th Federal Parliam…

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Re:CAP - The Way In 2024, Education 48:40

1y ago48:40

48:40

Re:CAP returns this week with a new episode that looks at Per Capita’s new report, The Way In 2024. Emma Dawson is joined by Emeritus Redmond Barry Professor Janet McCalman to help us unpack our findings around education pathways into the 47Th parliament. Check out our latest blog post "How the Federal Government Represents You." Read the full repo…

1
The Digital Dark Age 1:02:12

1y ago1:02:12

1:02:12

As researchers are locked out of digital platforms, we contemplate a new era of control and secrecy, with responsible tech academic Gina Neff. She joins our panel of Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie OShea, Choice’s digital campaign lead Rafi Alam and Peter Lewis from Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square. Also this week: The Social Media Summit…

1
The Age of Intelligence? 1:01:07

1y ago1:01:07

1:01:07

Open AI's Sam Altman has launched a new product line with a new business model and a new philosophy. But do they all line up? Lee Schofield from ‘Future is Now’ with our regular panelists Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea and Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton. We also cover · The fallout from 7-Eleven’s privacy breach · Misinformation and disinf…

1
JCL Series: Housing, The Great Australian Right With Kevin Bell 24:43

1y ago24:43

24:43

This month's John Cain Lunch sees the Hon Kevin Bell reimagining ‘the great Australian dream’ of housing as ‘the great Australian right’ to housing. Almost everyone in Australia is feeling the impact of the national housing crisis, which is traumatising individuals, families and communities. Housing: the Great Australian Right argues that governmen…

1
Privacy Now! 1:02:07

1y ago1:02:07

1:02:07

Listen to our live virtual town hall briefing to discuss the Federal Government’s much anticipated plans for privacy reform and the launch o the Privacy Now campaign - https://privacynow.org.au/. With: Privacy Commissioner Carly Kind Human Technology Institute director Ed Santow Digital Rights Watch Chair Lizzie O’Shea Burning Platforms is an initi…

1
The NSFW Edition 1:06:37

1y ago1:06:37

1:06:37

What can Only Fans teach us about the internet? Social media academic Emily van der Nagel takes us through her research with content creators and consumers to reveal the logic behind a very different platform. She joins our regular panel of Digital Rights Watch chair Lizzie O’Shea, Health Engine CEO Dan Stinton and Centre of the Public Square conve…

1
JCL Series: The Disruptors – Labor’s Challenge 28:38

1y ago28:38

28:38

Kosmos Samaras, one of Australia’s leading experts in political campaigns and polling, addressed our August John Cain Lunch on the electoral challenges facing the ALP due to the changing nature of Australia’s socio-economic demographics. Kos specialises in compiling and interpreting research, statistical data and polling to provide a unique insight…

1
Emotional Rescue 58:06

1y ago58:06

58:06

In this week's episode if Burning Platforms, the panel dives into the product liability of companion apps with consumer law academia, Jeannie Peterson. Also this week, they touch on: * the UK riots and platform responsibility * Musk’s X-rated presidential dalliance * and the People’s bid for TiKTok Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s…

1
How AI Will Really Destroy The World 58:49

1+ y ago58:49

58:49

Forget intelligent machines waging war on humans, the real threat could be the amount of energy and water data processing centres are sucking up in the service of AI. Gordon Noble from UTS’s Institute of Sustainable Futures has been crunching the numbers and it makes for alarming reading. He joins our regular panel of Digital Rights Watch chair Liz…

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Homes Not Houses - Part Six: What’s Happened Since? 12:24

1+ y ago12:24

12:24

A lot has happened in the past few months, since we started writing and recording this podcast. It’s lot to catch up on. So, before we end this series, we thought we’d tell you a thing or two about it. Join Emma Dawson, Executive Director of Per Capita, home of the CEH, as she breaks down the latest policy announcements pertaining to housing and wh…

1
Rebuilding the Public Square - Live 58:27

1+ y ago58:27

58:27

On this week’s Burning Platforms, Peter Lewis launches the “Civility Manifesto” live at the July John Cain Lunch. Burning Platforms is an initiative of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square. Don't forget to subscribe to The Town Crier, the official newsletter of the Centre for the Public Square and Burning Platforms podcast: https://the-town-cri…

1
JCL Series: Rebuilding the Public Square 58:23

1+ y ago58:23

58:23

The founder of Per Capita’s Centre of the Public Square initiative, Peter Lewis, launches the “Civility Manifesto’, a framework for addressing the division at the heart of our broken politics, at Per Capita's July John Cain Lunch. The Civility Manifesto outlines how media, politics and the digital platforms have conspired to build a public discours…

1
Homes Not Houses - Part Five: Where Do We Go From Here? 25:30

1+ y ago25:30

25:30

After three weeks of dissecting the Australian housing market, trawling through history, lived experiences, and academic resources, we’re coming to the end of our journey. In the penultimate episode of Homes Not Houses, Matt Lloyd-Cape and his guests outline potential solutions to the housing crisis. This series is a production of Per Capita and it…