Australia votes — what message should we take from this election result?

from Big Ideas · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

If democracy is the will of the people, what does this federal election result say about Australia? In his election night victory speech, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians had voted for Australian values, claiming these were fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all. But is this right message we should take from the election result?This conversation was recorded live at the 2025 Melbourne Writers Festival in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. To explore more Melbourne Writers Festival talks, visit mwf.com.auSpeakersJudith BrettPolitical historianAuthor, The Fearless Beatrice Faust, Robert Menzies' Forgotten People, Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class, and The Enigmatic Mr Deakin, (winner, 2018 National Biography award)Cathy McGowanFormer Independent MP for IndiAuthor, Cathy Goes to Canberra: doing politics differentlyThomas MayoNational Indigenous Officer of the Maritime Union of Australia"Yes" campaigner in the Voice to Parliament referendumAuthor, Dear Son, Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons, Always Was, Always Will Be: The Campaign for Justice and Recognition Continues, and moreSally Warhaft (host)Interviewer, broadcaster, anthropologist and writerHost, The Fifth Estate event series at The Wheeler CentreFormer editor, The Monthly magazineAuthor, Well May We Say: The speeches that made AustraliaAdjunct Senior Research Fellow, La Trobe University

What this episode covers

If democracy is the will of the people, what does this federal election result say about Australia? In his election night victory speech, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australians had voted for Australian values, claiming these were fairness, aspiration and opportunity for all. But is this right message we should take from the election result? This conversation was recorded live at the 2025 Melbourne Writers Festival in partnership with The Wheeler Centre. To explore more Melbourne Writers Festival talks, visit mwf.com.au Speakers Judith Brett Political historian Author, The Fearless Beatrice Faust, Robert Menzies' Forgotten People, Australian Liberals and the Moral Middle Class, and The Enigmatic Mr Deakin, (winner, 2018 National Biography award) Cathy McGowan Former Independent MP for Indi Author, Cathy Goes to Canberra: doing politics differently Thomas Mayo National Indigenous Officer of the Maritime Union of Australia "Yes" campaigner in the Voice to Parliament referendum Author, Dear Son, Letters and Reflections from First Nations Fathers and Sons, Always Was, Always Will Be: The Campaign for Justice and Recognition Continues, and more Sally Warhaft (host) Interviewer, broadcaster, anthropologist and writer Host, The Fifth Estate event series at The Wheeler Centre Former editor, The Monthly magazine Author, Well May We Say: The speeches that made Australia Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, La Trobe University