Australia Matters

The Australia Institute
  • 4.5 (8)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

  1. Budget 2026: housing changes to slowly reverse decades of damage

    1 DAY AGO

    Budget 2026: housing changes to slowly reverse decades of damage

    The government’s changes to capital gains and negative gearing will begin to undo decades of damage to the housing market caused by Howard-era policies – so will Elinor actually be able to buy a house? On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the federal budget, the latest wages data, and why the government is making Australian workers wait-o for the WATO. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 14 May 2026. Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Australian workers have been hard done by and tax reforms in the budget only begin to return some fairness by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026) The budget in seven graphs: no big surprises but this may be one of the most ambitious moves to fix Australia’s finances by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026) Budget 2026: serious housing reforms but a missed opportunity to tax gas exports, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (May 2026) Budget 2026: Treasurer's speech, annotated by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026) Submission to the Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (December 2025) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min
  2. Budget 2026: serious housing reforms but a missed opportunity to tax gas exports

    2 DAYS AGO

    Budget 2026: serious housing reforms but a missed opportunity to tax gas exports

    Australians are crying out for big, brave reforms from governments. The long-overdue changes to housing tax concessions in this budget suggest the federal government may be starting to get the message. On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff and Ebony Bennett discuss the government’s important changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, its “brutal” cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and why some “broken promises” may not be such a big deal in the eyes of Australians. This episode was recorded on Wednesday 13 May. The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Budget 2026: What the government’s housing tax changes mean for first home buyers and housing affordability by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (May 2026) Budget 2026: Government targets investor tax breaks and trust loopholes in housing reform package by Tegan George, The Point (May 2026) Budget 2026: Treasurer's speech, annotated by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min
  3. The United States we thought we knew is gone

    3 DAYS AGO

    The United States we thought we knew is gone

    A majority of Australians now think Donald Trump is a bigger threat to world peace than either Vladimir Putin or Xi Jinping. On the 100th episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss new Australia Institute polling on Australians’ views of Trump, the deadlock between the United States and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, and what it might take for the Australian government to get out of the AUKUS submarine deal. This episode was recorded on Monday 11 May. The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb Show notes: It’s not me, it’s you – Australians ready to break up with Trump’s America, the Australia Institute (May 2026) Shorter America: The past is never past; Great (bad) men; Magical thinking by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026) After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min
  4. More pain coming as RBA hikes rates again

    8 MAY

    More pain coming as RBA hikes rates again

    Interest rates won’t affect the global oil price shock brought about by the illegal US war on Iran – so why did the Reserve Bank hike them again? On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the rationale for the Reserve Bank’s third interest rate hike for 2026 and how changing the way trusts are taxed could reduce inequality. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 7 May 2026. Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: In this budget, all eyes are on CGT. But Labor’s rumoured family trust tweaks might also help fight tax inequality by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026) RBA’s decision to raise rates hurts Australians for no reason by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026) Monetary Policy Decision – May 2026, Reserve Bank of Australia A tragic birth, and death, in a tent – and still our poorest must pay by Amy Remeikis, The Point (May 2026) Profit-Price Inflation: Theory, International Evidence, and Policy Implications, the Australia Institute (September 2023) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min
  5. Is the national anti-corruption body failing?

    7 MAY

    Is the national anti-corruption body failing?

    After major missteps, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is falling well short of the gold standard for integrity bodies. On this episode of Follow the Money, journalist and writer Nick Feik joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the NACC’s handling of its Robodebt investigation, its decision not to hold public hearings so far, and concerns about the legal experience required of some senior leaders. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 5 May and some things may have changed. The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. Guest: Nick Feik, journalist and writer // @nickfeik Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Built to fail? NACC: the integrity body undermined from the start by Nick Feik, Michelle Fahy & Elizabeth Minter, The Point (April 2026) Resignation of Deputy Commissioner highlights need for transparent, merit-based NACC appointments, the Centre for Public Integrity (May 2026) National Anti-Corruption Commission: Reforms Needed, the Australia Institute Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  6. Supreme Court guts voting rights as Iran war support hits new low

    4 MAY

    Supreme Court guts voting rights as Iran war support hits new low

    160 years after the American Civil War, the Confederacy is ascendent. On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the Trump administration’s withdrawal of troops from Germany, why the United States is losing its war on Iran, and the Supreme Court’s gutting of the Voting Rights Act. This episode was recorded on Monday 4 May. The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Hegseth’s ‘paranoia’ of being replaced explains purge of top general — as ally emerges for Army secretary’s role by Steven Nelson, New York Post (April 2026) The FBI Director Is MIA by Sarah Fitzpatrick, The Atlantic (April 2026) Return of the king?, After America (July 2024) Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump’s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (April 2024) Project 2025’s Distortion of Civil Rights Law Threatens Americans With Legalized Discrimination by Mariam Rashid and William Roberts, Centre for American Progress (October 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  7. Inflation soars, but it's not as bad as it seems

    30 APR

    Inflation soars, but it's not as bad as it seems

    The big jump for the CPI has created some dramatic headlines, but digging just a bit deeper into the data reveals a different story.  On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the latest inflation figures, which are the first to include the impact of the war in Iran, and why the RBA should take a step back and look at all the data, before they meet to assess interest rates next week.  This discussion was recorded on Thursday 30 April 2026.  Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.  Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut  Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek  Show notes:  Another RBA rate rise won’t fix inflation – it will just smash households already hit by soaring fuel costs, by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026)  Rate hikes won’t fix inflation caused by fuel prices, by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (April 2026)  Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions  We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.  Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min
  8. Greens leader Larissa Waters on the housing crisis, gas exports & taxing the 1%

    29 APR

    Greens leader Larissa Waters on the housing crisis, gas exports & taxing the 1%

    How have a select few accumulated such colossal wealth while many Australians struggle? On this episode of Follow the Money, Senator Larissa Waters, leader of the Australian Greens, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the causes of Australia’s housing crisis, making gas exporters pay their fair share, and the Greens’ new ‘tax the 1%’ campaign. The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. Guest: Larissa Waters, Australian Greens leader and Senator for Queensland // @larissawaters Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (March 2026) Japanese Government collects more tax from Australian gas than Australian Government, the Australia Institute (April 2026) Australia's Gas Giveaway, the Australia Institute Santos records nearly $47bn in sales over a decade without paying corporate tax by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (April 2026) Three ways Australia can tax wealth better by David Richardson and Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute (August 2025) Inequality, Democracy, and Distributive Justice with Gabriel Zucman, Global Progressive Mobilization on YouTube (April 2026) Oligarchy or Democracy with Wayne Swan, Global Progressive Mobilization on YouTube (April 2026) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min
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4.5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Information

  • Creator
    The Australia Institute
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Australia Institute
  • Show Website
    Australia Matters

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