Lenore Taylor is joined by Labor's deputy leader, Tanya Plibersek, and former Liberal leader John Hewson to discuss whether major reform is likely anytime soon. This is the first episode of big picture politics, a podcast series exploring key aspects of state and federal government, to reveal both the big picture and the hidden detail behind it

Episode one – is reform dead?

After the Australian electorate refused to accept Tony Abbott's first budget, and then conservative governments started losing state elections, voters were told reform was dead.

Now that New South Wales voters have returned the Baird government, despite not particularly liking its plan to lease electricity poles and wires, some of the same commentators are suggesting all may not be lost after all.

This discussion tries to move away from sweeping generalisations to consider what's actually going on, and whether voters can hope that politicians might keep promises or reach broad understanding on big challenges.

Background reading

Mike Baird's election win: voters chose hope over fear

David Marr on Mike Baird: the Liberal princeling

Lenore Taylor on Tony Abbott: promises, promises...

$3.3bn could have funded Gonski reforms

John Hewson on renewable energy

Gough Whitlam's death unleashed nostalgia for politics that transforms

The team

Lenore Taylor @lenoretaylor

Fred McConnell @fred_dash

Miles Martignoni @milesage

Jason Nicholas @quietamerican