Australia Matters

The Australia Institute

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  1. More pain coming as RBA hikes rates again

    20H AGO

    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
  2. Is the national anti-corruption body failing?

    1D AGO

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

    4D AGO

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

    APR 30

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

    APR 29

    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
  6. Correspondents' dinner attacked, MAGA confronts midterms

    APR 27

    Correspondents' dinner attacked, MAGA confronts midterms

    Violence is a feature of American democracy. On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis reflects on yet another appalling yet unsurprising act of political violence in the United States, before Mother Jones journalist James West joins the show to discuss the midterm elections and whether real fractures are emerging in the MAGAverse. This episode was recorded on Thursday 23 April Australian time. 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: James West, Executive Editor, Mother Jones // @jamespwest Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Show notes: Shorter America: Madman theory, continued; Deeper derangement; International solidarity by Emma Shortis, The Point (April 2026) No Kings Rallygoers in New York Share Their Biggest Fears—and Greatest Hopes by James West, Mother Jones (March 2026) New poll: 55% support impeaching Trump, Strength in Numbers (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 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
  7. Ending Australia's great gas giveaway

    APR 23

    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 Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    28 min
  8. David Pocock on getting a fair return for Australian gas

    APR 22

    David Pocock on getting a fair return for Australian gas

    Australia is one of the largest exporters of gas in the world, yet beer drinkers pay more tax than the gas industry pays in Petroleum Resources Rent Tax. On this episode of Follow the Money, Senator David Pocock and Dr Richard Denniss join Leanne Minshull to discuss the case for a 25 per cent gas export tax, why Australians currently get so little in return for the country’s finite resources, and how the gas industry wields power in parliament. This episode was recorded live at the Australia Institute’s Politics in the Pub event on Wednesday 15 April. Subscribe now to find out about more live events from the Australia Institute. Guest: David Pocock, Independent Senator for the Australia Capital Territory // @davidpocock Guest: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: Australia's Gas Giveaway, the Australia Institute The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (March 2026) Beer, HECS and visas: things that raise more revenue than the Petroleum Rent Resource Tax (PRRT) by Matt Grudnoff, The Point, Senate inquiry into taxing gas exports begins as experts call system 'broken' by Tegan George, The Point (April 2026) Japanese Government collects more tax from Australian gas than Australian Government, the Australia Institute (April 2026) One Nation and Greens voters strongly support 25% Gas Export Tax: poll, the Australia Institute (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.

    42 min

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

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