Follow The Money

The Australia Institute
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Economics and politics explained in plain English

  1. 1d ago

    “Appalling”: Wilkie slams government’s response to gambling inquiry

    The federal government’s response to the Murphy inquiry into online gambling harms has been “appalling”, says Andrew Wilkie MP. Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Clark, joins the Australia Institute’s Noah Schultz-Byard to reflect on the government’s gambling reforms, making polluters pay for the damage they do to the climate, and the state of Australian politics. This episode was recorded live as part of the Australia Institute’s webinar series on Wednesday 5 August. If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or visit Gambling Help Online at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au. If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble. Guest: Andrew Wilkie, Independent Member for Clark // @andrewwilkiemp Host: Noah Schultz-Byard, Strategy Director, the Australia Institute // @noah_sbyard Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: National Gambling Toll, the Australia Institute SIGN THE PETITION: Ban online gambling ads!, the Australia Institute Australia’s gas giveaway, the Australia Institute Online gambling “reshaping a whole generation” as government reforms fall well short, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (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 Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. Aug 5

    Is Australian climate policy finally heading in the right direction?

    A recent decision by the New South Wales state government is a crack in the wall of Australian climate inaction. On this episode of Follow the Money, Leanne Minshull and Rod Campbell join Glenn Connley to discuss dodgy carbon credits, the Great Koala National Park in New South Wales, the federal government’s upcoming review of the Safeguard Mechanism, and the demise of Climate Active. This episode was recorded Tuesday 4 August. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble. Get your tickets for the Australia Institute’s Climate Integrity Summit 2026 at the Parliament of New South Wales on Tuesday 15 September. Guest: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: Safeguarding the Fossil Fuel Industry? How Carbon Offsetting Undermines the Safeguard Mechanism by Fergus Green and Frances Medlock, the Australia Institute (June 2026) The Safeguard Mechanism is failing miserably, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (July 2026) Koalas Covering for Coal? Dirty Forest Offset Plan Would Mean More Fossil Fuels, the Australia Institute (June 2026) Here are 23 Times Carbon Offsets Were Found to be Dodgy, the Australia Institute (January 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 Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. Jul 29

    Is the fossil fuel industry facing an “imminent extinction event”?

    Much of the world is moving away from fossil fuels, so why is Australia’s gas industry still expanding? On this episode of Follow the Money, renewable energy entrepreneur Assaad Razzouk joins Australia Institute co-CEO Leanne Minshull to discuss how the war on Iran is accelerating the global shift away from fossil fuels and why Australia risks being left behind. This episode was recorded Wednesday 8 July. Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble. Guest: Assaad Razzouk, renewable energy entrepreneur and host of The Angry Clean Energy Guy podcast // @assaadrazzouk Host: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull Show notes: The Angry Clean Energy Guy with Assaad Razzouk Australia's Gas Giveaway, 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 Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. Jul 22

    As American democracy faces huge tests, is Australia prepared for the worst?

    No one knows what’ll happen at the November midterms or the next presidential election. Is the Australian government prepared for the worst-case scenario? On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis joins Glenn Connley to discuss the upcoming midterm elections in the United States, how the Trump administration has been chipping away at the guardrails of American democracy, and whether the Australian government is prepared for the possibility of disputed elections in its major alliance partner. This episode was recorded Tuesday 21 July. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025) Trump administration chips away at independent media, faith in democracy, After America, the Australia Institute (July 2026) Christopher Pyne declares AUKUS 'unstoppable', and says Parliament shouldn't vote on it, The Point (July 2026) Trump’s tragedy: the US becomes an autocracy and the presidency, a dictatorship by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 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 Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. Jul 17

    BONUS | What's the point of a gas export tax?

    Introducing The Australia Institute's new podcast series, What's the Point? with Richard Denniss. Subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. *** On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss discusses how global gas industry has pulled off the greatest con in Australia’s history, and why Australians are living with the consequences. He spells out the simple steps we need to take to fix it. This episode was recorded on Friday 10 July.Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddennissHost: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang Show notes:A National Plebiscite for a 25% Gas Export Tax, the Australia InstituteMore Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, Australia Institute Press (forthcoming)Climate Integrity Summit 2026 ticketsFor more research and analysis, visit The Point. Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  6. Jul 15

    After the landslide: Australian politics since the 2025 election

    Richard Denniss and Amy Remeikis discuss the dramatic changes in Australia’s political landscape since Labor’s landslide election victory. In May 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the Labor Party to a historic victory and the Liberal Party suffered its worst result since World War 2. But with the rise of One Nation at home and crises multiplying abroad, the world already looks very different to how it did at the election. On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute co-CEO Richard Denniss, Chief Political Analyst Amy Remeikis and Democracy & Accountability Director Bill Browne discuss what’s changed in Australian politics since the last election and where it might go from here. This episode was recorded live on Thursday 9 July. Subscribe for updates from the Australia Institute to be notified about all of our events and webinars. Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble. Guest: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // @amyremeikis Host: Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability, the Australia Institute // @browne90 Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss, Australia Institute Press (August 2025) There is no such thing as a safe seat | Fact sheet, the Australia Institute (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 Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  7. Jul 8

    Australian states aren’t going broke, but they are being ripped off

    States and territories are missing out on tens of billions in revenue each year because the GST isn’t growing as promised. On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Matt Grudnoff join Ebony Bennett to discuss the reasons why the GST hasn't grown as promised, how exemptions for private schools and private insurance exacerbate inequality, and how governments can ensure they’re providing the high-quality services Australians deserve. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 7 July. Check out the new Australia Institute podcast series, What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss. It’s available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite shows. Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: The cost of slow growth in GST revenue. The growing problem of short-changing the states by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (September 2025) GST Reform: How to stop the states being short-changed by Richard Denniss, Matt Grudnoff & Dave Richardson, the Australia Institute (July 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 Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  8. Jul 1

    The Safeguard Mechanism is failing miserably

    Australia’s flagship climate policy is failing to drive actual emission reductions. On this episode of Follow the Money, the authors of new Australia Institute research, Dr Fergus Green and Frances Medlock, join Glenn Connley to discuss the major failures of the Safeguard Mechanism, the dodgy “carbon offsets” at the heart the scheme, and what can be done to drive down emissions. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 23 June. Guest: Fergus Green, co-author of ‘Safeguarding the fossil fuel industry?’ and Associate Professor, University College London // @fergusgreen Guest: Frances Medlock, co-author of ‘Safeguarding the fossil fuel industry?’ and policy and law reform lawyer Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: Safeguarding the Fossil Fuel Industry? How Carbon Offsetting Undermines the Safeguard Mechanism by Fergus Green and Frances Medlock, the Australia Institute (June 2026) The dodgy, so-called “offsets” that undermine Australia’s central climate policy by Fergus Green and Frances Medlock, The Point (June 2026) Koalas Covering for Coal? Dirty Forest Offset Plan Would Mean More Fossil Fuels, the Australia Institute (June 2026) Giant gas project earns $90m in ‘free’ carbon offsets by Ryan Cropp, Australian Financial Review (June 2026) Here are 23 Times Carbon Offsets Were Found to be Dodgy, the Australia Institute (January 2024) World’s biggest miner BHP backtracks on climate action with key projects put on ice, leaked documents reveal by Christopher Knaus and Adam Morton, Guardian Australia (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 Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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4.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Information

  • Creator
    The Australia Institute
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    431
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Australia Institute
  • Show Website
    Follow The Money

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