Political scientists Jill Sheppard and Pat Leslie join Democracy Sausage to ask whether the Albanese government is strategically waiting or simply drifting through its second term.

Why did Labor walk back its modest superannuation tax reform after winning 94 seats? How has Nigel Farage's Reform party overtaken the UK Conservatives with 250,000 members? And what happens when governing parties become so grey and joyless that voters prefer the 'entertainment' of the fringes?

Dr Jill Sheppard is a Senior Lecturer in the ANU School of Politics and International Relations, specialising in political behaviour and public opinion.

Dr Pat Leslie is a Lecturer in the ANU School of Politics and International Relations, focusing on comparative politics and electoral systems.

Dr Marija Taflaga is the Director of the ANU Centre for the Study of Australian Politics and a Lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations.

Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Google Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to democracysausage@anu.edu.au.

This podcast is produced by The Australian National University.

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