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 for future generations.

Liam spoke at Per Capita's John Cain lunch in June 2025.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events. Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

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”

If you’re a young policy student or professional looking to network or learn more about passing progressive policies, then check out our Policy Hive.

For more on our research and advocacy, visit the Per Capita website.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

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.

Listen to our May John Cain Lunch, with Labor’s Jenny Macklin and co-author Joel Deane.

Purchase "Making Progress: How good policy happens?" here.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

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 focus on real, sustainable solutions.

Jess spoke at Per Capita's monthly John Cain Lunch in April 2025.

Help support our work and be part of change. Donate to Per Capita: https://percapita.org.au/donate/

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

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 research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

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 influence policy and politics to build an Australia based on fairness, shared prosperity and social justice - Per Capita's Policy Hive.

For more on our research and advocacy, visit the Per Capita website.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

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 wealth of others, all while real wages decline.

Hear from Think Forward’s Thomas Walker about the “Tax Wealth Not Work” campaign, and from Per Capita’s Emma Dawson about the upcoming Community Tax Summit.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.

Visit www.percapita.org.au for more on our research and events.

Per Capita's podcasts are recorded and produced on Wurundjeri land.