Dollars & Sense

The Australia Institute
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Economic data can tell us a lot about what's happening the economy and society, but it's easy to get lost in data. Dollars and Sense dives into the latest economic figures to explain how they impact you and what they tell us about the state of the Australian economy, with host Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Fair dinkum! The Prime Minister called us out over a gas tax

    Australia could raise around $17 billion a year with a 25% gas export tax – enough to put dental in Medicare or fund free childcare – but the government is choosing not to. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Angus discuss why Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australia Institute needs to get “fair dinkum” about gas exports, the post-budget meme-wars over capital gains tax, and the “death tax” scare campaign. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 21 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: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, Podcasts, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: Death, taxes and scare campaigns: here’s the truth about Labor’s budget changes by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026) Keating backs CGT reforms, says Howard changes made house prices "blast off" by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026) Government CGT Changes – Structurally Sound, statement by former Prime Minister Paul Keating (May 2026) Conservative newspapers are stoking fears CGT changes will hurt young Australians — despite very few being affected by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026) The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (May 2026) Australia's Gas Giveaway, the Australia Institute Richard Denniss responds to Anthony Albanese, the Australia Institute on BlueSky (May 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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    34 min

  2. 14 MAY

    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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min

  3. 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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 min

  4. 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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    20 min

  5. 23 APR

    Ending Australia's great gas giveaway

    With the federal budget looming, a gas export tax would drive down prices and fund vital public services at a time when Australians are feeling the pinch. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the case for a 25 per cent gas export tax, why global foreign aid spending has plummeted, and the likelihood of the government announcing reforms to housing investor tax concessions ahead of the May federal budget. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 22 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: Capital gains tax changes are on the table, and yet Armageddon has not arrived. Has the tide on housing turned at last? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026) Richard Denniss and Konrad Benjamin (aka Punters Politics) at the Senate Select Committee on taxing gas, The Australia Institute on YouTube (April 2026) Taxing gas in Australia and Japan by Richard Denniss, Rod Campbell & Matt Saunders, the Australia Institute (April 2026) International aid enters historic decline with Australia among lowest contributors by Tegan George, 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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min

  6. 16 APR

    Trump chaos driving bleak economic outlook

    It reads like a dystopian sci-fi novel, but the latest IMF report on the global economy refuses to name the orange elephant in the room. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s latest World Economic Outlook report, its forecast for Australia, Angus Taylor’s Trumpy immigration policy announcement, and why immigration isn’t causing the housing crisis. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 16 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: The IMF refuses to name the cause of this global chaos. It starts with ‘Donald’ and ends in ‘Trump’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026) World Economic Outlook: Global Economy in the Shadow of War, International Monetary Fund (April 2026) Corporate profits increase inflation | Fact Sheet, the Australia Institute (November 2024) Taylor has only ‘vibes and fumes’, no answers on migration by Amy Remeikis, The New Daily (April 2026) 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) 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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min

  7. 9 APR

    Will Trump send Australia into recession?

    The US president is wreaking havoc in Iran and around the world. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss Trump’s horrific threats against Iran, whether Australians should be concerned about a recession as a result of the global uncertainty the US president is causing, Matt Canavan’s plans for an economic revolution, and why land values have skyrocketed while the value of the dwellings on the land hasn’t changed much at all. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 9 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: Is Australia headed for a recession? I hope not - but the RBA should be more worried by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026) After America, the Australia Institute 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) 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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    30 min

  8. 2 APR

    It’s time to tax gas properly

    Until a 25% gas export tax is put in place, Australians are missing out on billions every year that could be used to support people through the living standards crisis. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the prime minister’s national address on the impacts of the US-Israel war on Iran, policy responses to fuel price hikes, Australia’s gas giveaway and Greg’s visit to a gas conference. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 2 April 2026. Check out our Australia’s Gas Giveaway live tracker. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Prices skyrocket but major fuel shortages “very unlikely”, Follow the Money (April 2026) Australia’s land value has gone through the roof. Where does that leave young people who want to buy a home? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026) Fuel costs and RBA hikes equal to a 90 basis point rate rise: 'this is brutal' by Greg Jericho, The Point (March 2026) Fuelling inequality: The brunt of a global crisis should not be borne by people in poverty by Kristin O’Connell, The Point (March 2026) 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) 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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    31 min
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About

Economic data can tell us a lot about what's happening the economy and society, but it's easy to get lost in data. Dollars and Sense dives into the latest economic figures to explain how they impact you and what they tell us about the state of the Australian economy, with host Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia.

Information

  • Creator
    The Australia Institute
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Australia Institute
  • Show Website
    Dollars & Sense

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