Australia Matters

The Australia Institute
  • 4.4 (7)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. Fuel price gouging is…legal?!

    2 DAYS AGO

    Fuel price gouging is…legal?!

    Despite big talk from the government about punishing any fuel retailers profiteering from the global energy crisis, many forms of price gouging remain perfectly legal. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Matt and Elinor discuss how profits are driving inflation, why the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission doesn’t have the power to take on price gouging properly, and why migration is not causing Australia’s housing crisis. Then, the wheels come off talking about the meat industry. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 26 March 2026. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: The data shows Australia’s population growth isn’t out of control, it has simply returned to trend by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (March 2026) Rising profit margins turbocharged Australia’s latest inflation figures – but something worse is just around the corner by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2026) Profit push is back: the increase in inflation is due to profits by Greg Jericho and Dave Richardson, The Point (March 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.

    28 min
  2. How a gas export tax could transform Australia

    3 DAYS AGO

    How a gas export tax could transform Australia

    A 25% gas export tax would drive down gas prices for Australians and collect billions of dollars that can be used to provide better, cheaper health and education services.  On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Ebony Bennett discuss the case for a 25% gas export tax and the New South Wales government’s ban on new coal mines. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 24 March. You can sign the Australia Institute’s petition calling on the federal government to make gas exporters pay their fair share. Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell 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) Tax gas exports, invest in health/aged care – new polls, the Australia Institute (March 2026) What the Middle East war means for Australians and gas companies, the Australia Institute (March 2026) 'No new coal or gas is a slogan, not a policy': Bowen, ABC Radio National (March 2023) SUMMER SPECIAL | President Anote Tong, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (January 2017) What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, Australia Institute Press (February 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.

    35 min
  3. Trump nixes Xi summit as Iran war escalates

    5 DAYS AGO

    Trump nixes Xi summit as Iran war escalates

    Far from winding down, tit-for-tat threats on civilian energy infrastructure suggest the US-Israel war on Iran may enter a new spiral of violence. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the war on Iran and how American sanctions are creating a humanitarian crisis in Cuba, before Professor James Laurenceson joins the show to talk about the impact of the conflict on China and the postponed Trump-Xi summit. This episode was recorded on Friday 20 and Monday 23 March. Guest: James Laurenceson, Professor and Director, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney // @j-laurenceson Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, Podcasts, the Australia Institute //  @angusrb Show notes: Shorter America This Week: History sighs, repeats itself; Surprise: Trump doesn't need allies; A bloodthirsty White House by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026) The attacks on Iran hurt us all by Allan Behm, The Point (March 2026) Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say by Barak Ravid, Axios (March 2026) UN chief suggests both sides may be committing war crimes in US-Israel conflict with Iran by Anne McElvoy, Politico (March 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. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    32 min
  4. Double pain for Australians as interest rate and oil price hikes bite

    19 MAR

    Double pain for Australians as interest rate and oil price hikes bite

    Australians are already paying a price for the illegal US-Israel war on Iran, so why did the Reserve Bank double down and raise rates again? On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the economic impact of the US and Israel’s war on Iran, the Reserve Bank’s decision to raise interest rates, and why changes to the capital gains tax discount might finally be on the way. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 19 March 2026. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Never waste a fuel crisis: the Albanese government must seize the moment and start taxing gas companies by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2026) New Analysis: Mid-East war’s hit to Australian economy, how to reduce its impact, the Australia Institute (March 2026) Report on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount, Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount, Parliament of Australia (March 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. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min
  5. Australia’s fossil fuel subsidies are out of control

    18 MAR

    Australia’s fossil fuel subsidies are out of control

    Now costing Australian governments $31,020 per minute, fossil fuel subsidies are growing faster than spending on the NDIS. On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Ebony Bennett discuss why it’s time to call out the idea that governments can’t afford to support Australians in need yet still dish out $16.3 billion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2025-26 alone. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 17 March. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia 2026 by Matt Grudnoff and Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (March 2026) Australia’s great gas giveaway, the Australia Institute (May 2024) Joseph Stiglitz on super profits, capital gains and why corporate tax is good for democracy, Follow the Money (February 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. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    33 min
  6. “No plan” and no end in sight for Trump’s “little excursion” in Iran

    16 MAR

    “No plan” and no end in sight for Trump’s “little excursion” in Iran

    The Trump administration’s war on Iran is the most “incompetent, incoherent” war the United States has fought in a century, according to one US Senator. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss the Trump administration’s apparent failure to plan for the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Pete Hegseth’s attacks on American media, and the Australian government’s response to the conflict. This episode was recorded on Monday 16 March. Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, Podcasts, the Australia Institute // @angusrb Show notes: Shorter America This Week: Very complete, pretty much; We already know who's next (it's Cuba); Looksmaxxing by Emma Shortis, The Point (March 2026) Albanese’s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026) Australia’s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 2026) After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press Iran, not the US, currently has the strategic upper hand by Laura Tingle, ABC News (March 2026) Israel planning massive ground invasion of Lebanon, officials say by Barak Ravid, Axios (March 2026) Why Donald Trump is losing the war at home by David Smith, The Conversation (March 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. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min
  7. FFS: fossil fuel subsidies cost Australia $30,000 a minute

    12 MAR

    FFS: fossil fuel subsidies cost Australia $30,000 a minute

    You’re meant to tax things you want less of and subsidise things you want more of – yet Australian governments are handing out $16.3 billion in fossil fuel subsidies this financial year. Elinor is back but Greg is away, so Matt Grudnoff jumps in to talk about Australia’s absurd fossil fuel subsidies, fuel security in the wake of the US-Israel war on Iran, and why the AI bubble will probably burst, even if the technology turns out to be a win overall. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 March 2026. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Australian fossil fuel subsidies growing faster than NDIS, hitting $16.3 billion in 2025-26, the Australia Institute (March 2026) New Analysis: Mid-East war’s hit to Australian economy, how to reduce its impact, the Australia Institute (March 2026) Debugging the Productivity Commission’s claim that AI will boost Australia’s GDP by $116 Billion by Matt Saunders, The Point Live (March 2026) Labor must stop juicing house prices and make buying a home the Australian dream – not negatively gearing one by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 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. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min
  8. AUKUS drags Australia towards US-Israel war on Iran

    11 MAR

    AUKUS drags Australia towards US-Israel war on Iran

    The Australian government has been trying to placate Trump in order to secure the AUKUS submarine deal – and now we are seeing the results. On this episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss the illegal US-Israel war in Iran, the implications of the conflict for the Middle East, and why Australian personnel were on board an American nuclear-powered submarine when it sank an Iranian warship. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 10 March. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Albanese’s policy on Iran makes us complicit in the collapse of international rules by Emma Shortis, Guardian Australia (March 2026) Australia’s shameless support for the US attack on Iran makes us gullible, duplicitous, or both by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (March 2026) The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026) After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press Iran strikes are Donald Trump’s ninth foreign military action in 14 months by Simon Elvery, ABC (March 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. Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    35 min
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4.4
out of 5
7 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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