Sally Cohen explains how 210,000 public servants are writing policies that shape your daily life right now.
The episode opens with host Tiff Cook welcoming Salli Cohen, a policy professional, to Roll With The Punches. Tiff humorously notes that discussing policy feels like an 'un-Tiff' topic, but she became interested after meeting Cohen in a speaker program. Cohen acknowledges that policy often makes people's eyes glaze over but challenges listeners to identify any part of their life not impacted by policy. She describes her current project in Kununurra, Western Australia, where the government funds Aboriginal community-controlled organizations to create safe spaces for street-present young people. Cohen explains these children face neglect due to poverty, hunger, and unsafe home environments, leading them to the streets. Tiff reflects on the careful terminology used, like 'street-present young people,' and Cohen connects this to society's tendency to label and categorize people, which policy often exacerbates. Cohen reveals there are about 2.1 million public servants in Australia, with roughly 10% drafting policies that directly or indirectly impact everyone's lives. Tiff shares a personal story about seeing a homeless person asleep on a discarded mattress, prompting her to imagine the psychological shift required to feel safe in such a situation. Cohen notes the growing demographic of women over 50 entering homelessness, often due to marriage breakdowns or financial surprises. She emphasizes seeing the person behind the label, criticizing how society places an 'invisibility cloak' on homeless individuals. Cohen recounts her accidental entry into policy work, starting with a job as a senior policy officer despite having no prior knowledge. She shares a humorous anecdote about applying for a masseuse job at 14, misunderstanding the interviewer's question about erections. Cohen illustrates how policy underpins even niche areas like boxing and weightlifting, detailing regulations around ring specifications, weight categories, and weigh-in attire. Tiff jokes about needing a policy for men's tight-fitting underwear during weigh-ins. Cohen states her focus is social policy aimed at creating change that matters, such as her work with youth in the justice system. She explains that public policy must be written before legislation can be crafted, reversing the common assumption. Tiff expresses frustration with voting, feeling unable to comprehend the ripple effects of political choices, and both discuss how personal biases shape reactions to policies like fuel price reductions. They critique algorithms and news media for shaping perceptions through targeted content, with Tiff noting how her anti-news conversations led to more news recommendations on social media. The conversation turns to compromise in policy work, with Tiff citing her experience with intervention orders that ignore past behavior. Cohen references figures like Rosie Batty and Grace Tame, criticizing the slow progress on domestic violence strategies. She shares a harrowing story of a child detained after running for help during a domestic violence incident. Cohen admits she has left government jobs due to ethical disagreements, urging public servants not to turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. She calls for a reckoning and greater public engagement with representatives. In closing, Cohen encourages dropping algorithms to connect with people, caring about those in need, and announces her second book, 'There's a Grass Seed in My Bamboo Undies,' a collection of short stories about policy's everyday impacts.
