60 acast.com The Issues Tree https://shows.acast.com/the-issues-tree en Mandala Partners 2025 innovation in social services,innovation in the care sector,social policy innovation,care sector reform,Australian social policy,Mandala Partners podcast,policy insights Australia,public sector innovation,senior policymakers Mandala Partners Policy that works doesn’t happen by accident. 


The Issues Tree cuts through the noise to show you how Australia’s biggest policy challenges could be solved, straight from the people doing the work. 


Hosted by Mandala Partners' Adam Triggs, each episode unpacks the evidence, innovation and insider knowledge that policymakers, change makers and thought leaders need. 


Smart conversation, zero jargon, more impact.


Our current series, Innovating Social Policy, is a four-part exploration that challenges stereotypes and what you think you know.

This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Policy that works doesn’t happen by accident. 


The Issues Tree cuts through the noise to show you how Australia’s biggest policy challenges could be solved, straight from the people doing the work. 


Hosted by Mandala Partners' Adam Triggs, each episode unpacks the evidence, innovation and insider knowledge that policymakers, change makers and thought leaders need. 


Smart conversation, zero jargon, more impact.


Our current series, Innovating Social Policy, is a four-part exploration that challenges stereotypes and what you think you know.

This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> false Mandala Partners info+693a18480e4329eef0514343@mg-eu.acast.com 693a18480e4329eef0514343 the-issues-tree episodic https://assets.pippa.io/shows/cover/1765414444703-87cef787-c65c-4671-bfb2-18360d66a372.jpeg https://shows.acast.com/the-issues-tree The Issues Tree Early returns: Caroline Croser-Barlow, Jade Grieve and Faith Rose on quality education Early returns: Caroline Croser-Barlow, Jade Grieve and Faith Rose on quality education Tue, 17 Feb 2026 19:00:00 GMT 38:08 698d3cf4d36bede670fee86a false https://shows.acast.com/the-issues-tree/episodes/early-returns-caroline-croser-barlow-jade-grieve-and-faith-r 698d3cf4d36bede670fee86a 693a18480e4329eef0514343 early-returns-caroline-croser-barlow-jade-grieve-and-faith-r full 1 4 "Profit motives drive better quality in education." 


Do they? 


This episode unpacks the relationship between funding models and outcomes in early childhood education and care, and evolving innovations in education pathways into careers.

Caroline Croser-Barlow reveals surprising evidence on quality across different provider types.

Jade Grieve brings international best practice from New York City's career pathways revolution. 

And Mandala’s Emily Chuah speaks with Faith Rose on how philanthropic capital is enabling innovation in education.


What actually drives quality, and the best learning outcomes for students?


This episode is part of our four-part ‘Innovating social policy’ miniseries and draws on Mandala Partners' research on investments in social policy. Find it at mandalapartners.com.


Guests: Caroline Croser-Barlow, CEO, The Front Project

Jade Grieve, Education Consultant & Philanthropic Advisor

Faith Rose, Education Program Director, BHP Foundation

Hosts: Adam Triggs, Partner, Mandala

Emily Chuah, Analyst, Mandala


This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples. We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> "Profit motives drive better quality in education." 


Do they? 


This episode unpacks the relationship between funding models and outcomes in early childhood education and care, and evolving innovations in education pathways into careers.

Caroline Croser-Barlow reveals surprising evidence on quality across different provider types.

Jade Grieve brings international best practice from New York City's career pathways revolution. 

And Mandala’s Emily Chuah speaks with Faith Rose on how philanthropic capital is enabling innovation in education.


What actually drives quality, and the best learning outcomes for students?


This episode is part of our four-part ‘Innovating social policy’ miniseries and draws on Mandala Partners' research on investments in social policy. Find it at mandalapartners.com.


Guests: Caroline Croser-Barlow, CEO, The Front Project

Jade Grieve, Education Consultant & Philanthropic Advisor

Faith Rose, Education Program Director, BHP Foundation

Hosts: Adam Triggs, Partner, Mandala

Emily Chuah, Analyst, Mandala


This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples. We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> <![CDATA[An Ounce of Prevention: Dr Rachel David, PHA and Angelique Wan from Consent Labs on the future of Australia's health system]]> Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:00:00 GMT 32:26 69816916c8310ac486bc355c false https://shows.acast.com/the-issues-tree/episodes/an-ounce-of-prevention-dr-rachel-david-pha-and-angelique-wan 69816916c8310ac486bc355c 693a18480e4329eef0514343 an-ounce-of-prevention-dr-rachel-david-pha-and-angelique-wan full 1 3 Australia's health system is under pressure – hospitals are overwhelmed, aged care is struggling, and regional communities are underserved.

Dr Rachel David, CEO of Private Healthcare Australia, reveals the pressures across our health system and why public and private need to work together. 


In the second half of the program, Mandala’s Minh An Tran interviews Angelique Wan from Consent Labs on the case for prevention over intervention.

Angelique covers why investing upstream in consent education saves lives and millions in downstream costs.

What if the future of health focused more on prevention?


This episode is part of our four-part ‘Innovating social policy’ miniseries and draws on Mandala Partners' research on the health system and the economic impact of consent education.

Find it at mandalapartners.com.


Guests: Dr Rachel David, CEO, Private Healthcare Australia

Angelique Wan, CEO and Co-Founder of Consent Labs

Hosts: Adam Triggs, Partner, Mandala

Minh An Tran, Analyst, Mandala


This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples.

We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> Australia's health system is under pressure – hospitals are overwhelmed, aged care is struggling, and regional communities are underserved.

Dr Rachel David, CEO of Private Healthcare Australia, reveals the pressures across our health system and why public and private need to work together. 


In the second half of the program, Mandala’s Minh An Tran interviews Angelique Wan from Consent Labs on the case for prevention over intervention.

Angelique covers why investing upstream in consent education saves lives and millions in downstream costs.

What if the future of health focused more on prevention?


This episode is part of our four-part ‘Innovating social policy’ miniseries and draws on Mandala Partners' research on the health system and the economic impact of consent education.

Find it at mandalapartners.com.


Guests: Dr Rachel David, CEO, Private Healthcare Australia

Angelique Wan, CEO and Co-Founder of Consent Labs

Hosts: Adam Triggs, Partner, Mandala

Minh An Tran, Analyst, Mandala


This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples.

We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Social Investment: Jenny Macklin, Donna de Zwart and Ben McAlpine on why poverty policy pays dividends The Social Investment: Jenny Macklin, Donna de Zwart and Ben McAlpine on why poverty policy pays dividends Mon, 19 Jan 2026 19:00:00 GMT 36:35 696b30c84788cf9ec6134899 false https://shows.acast.com/the-issues-tree/episodes/the-social-investment-jenny-macklin-donna-de-zwart-and-ben-m 696b30c84788cf9ec6134899 693a18480e4329eef0514343 the-social-investment-jenny-macklin-donna-de-zwart-and-ben-m full 1 2 In Australia, one in seven adults and one in six children are living in poverty, even though we are the world's 15th largest economy.


So why is poverty such an enduring challenge in Australia? And what are the opportunities to improve this? 


Former Minister Jenny Macklin unpacks why JobSeeker is the gaping hole in Australia's safety net and how an increase to JobSeeker could lift individuals out of poverty.

Donna de Zwart discusses Fitted for Work's powerful models of supporting women and gender diverse job seekers into employment and financial independence.

And Ben McAlpine explains the false economy of cutting social services. The provocation: investing in poverty reduction saves more than it costs in the long term.


This episode is part of our four-part ‘Innovating social policy’ miniseries and draws on Mandala Partners' research on investments in social policy.

Find it at mandalapartners.com.


Guests: Hon Jenny Macklin AC, Chair, Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee

Donna de Zwart, Managing Director, Fitted for Work

Ben McAlpine, Director of Policy and Advocacy, NSW Council of Social Service

Hosts: Adam Triggs, Partner, Mandala

Aadya Mishra, Analyst, Mandala


This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples.

We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> In Australia, one in seven adults and one in six children are living in poverty, even though we are the world's 15th largest economy.


So why is poverty such an enduring challenge in Australia? And what are the opportunities to improve this? 


Former Minister Jenny Macklin unpacks why JobSeeker is the gaping hole in Australia's safety net and how an increase to JobSeeker could lift individuals out of poverty.

Donna de Zwart discusses Fitted for Work's powerful models of supporting women and gender diverse job seekers into employment and financial independence.

And Ben McAlpine explains the false economy of cutting social services. The provocation: investing in poverty reduction saves more than it costs in the long term.


This episode is part of our four-part ‘Innovating social policy’ miniseries and draws on Mandala Partners' research on investments in social policy.

Find it at mandalapartners.com.


Guests: Hon Jenny Macklin AC, Chair, Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee

Donna de Zwart, Managing Director, Fitted for Work

Ben McAlpine, Director of Policy and Advocacy, NSW Council of Social Service

Hosts: Adam Triggs, Partner, Mandala

Aadya Mishra, Analyst, Mandala


This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples.

We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> The Future of Care: Mark Woodland and Liz Cameron Smith on Innovation in Social Services The Future of Care: Mark Woodland and Liz Cameron Smith on Innovation in Social Services Fri, 12 Dec 2025 00:08:34 GMT 36:48 693a19a34f84d8410f2fa040 false https://shows.acast.com/the-issues-tree/episodes/care-ing-is-sharing-mark-woodland-and-liz-cameron-smith-on-i 693a19a34f84d8410f2fa040 693a18480e4329eef0514343 care-ing-is-sharing-mark-woodland-and-liz-cameron-smith-on-i full 1 1 “The care sector is stuck in old ways of doing things." 


But is it?


We dismantle the myth that innovation doesn’t happen in social services and show what’s possible when we think beyond traditional service delivery.


Mark Woodland built an AI platform that reduced disability service wait times from 12 months to weeks. Liz Cameron-Smith shares how Youth Foyers are mobilising capital to end youth homelessness.


This episode is part of our four-part Innovating Social Policy miniseries and draws on Mandala Partners' research on productivity and innovation in the care sector.

Find it at mandalapartners.com.


Guests: Mark Woodland, Founder & CEO of Kismet

Liz Cameron-Smith, Co-CEO Foyer Foundation

Hosts: Adam Triggs, Partner, Mandala

Sasa Vanek, Analyst, Mandala


This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples.

We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]> “The care sector is stuck in old ways of doing things." 


But is it?


We dismantle the myth that innovation doesn’t happen in social services and show what’s possible when we think beyond traditional service delivery.


Mark Woodland built an AI platform that reduced disability service wait times from 12 months to weeks. Liz Cameron-Smith shares how Youth Foyers are mobilising capital to end youth homelessness.


This episode is part of our four-part Innovating Social Policy miniseries and draws on Mandala Partners' research on productivity and innovation in the care sector.

Find it at mandalapartners.com.


Guests: Mark Woodland, Founder & CEO of Kismet

Liz Cameron-Smith, Co-CEO Foyer Foundation

Hosts: Adam Triggs, Partner, Mandala

Sasa Vanek, Analyst, Mandala


This podcast is recorded and edited on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Ngunnawal and Gadigal peoples.

We pay respects to Elders past, present and emerging across Australia. Sovereignty was never ceded.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

]]>