Australia Matters

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 [email protected]. 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected]. 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected]. 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected]. 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected]. 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With President Trump spewing threats at friends and foes, the American government has gone off the rails. On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss Trump’s genocidal threats against Iran, his efforts to subvert US democracy, his administration’s growing isolation from long-time allies, and why it’s time for the Australian government to reassess its relationship with the United States. This episode was recorded on Monday 13 April. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025) Vance joyless as US-Iran negotiations fall apart, After America, the Australia Institute (April 2026) Shorter America This Week: Ceasefire?; Madman theory; Group hugs in space by Emma Shortis, The Point (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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is no reason our societies can’t change radically, to produce more of what we need and less of the things that are sowing the seeds of our own destruction, says Yanis Varoufakis. On this episode of Follow the Money, we bring you highlights from the recent Australian tour of economist and author Yanis Varoufakis, with contributions from a cast of very special guests. Across live events in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, they discuss misogyny, political power, the erosion of Palestinian rights, and Yanis’ latest book, Raise Your Soul: A Personal History of Resistance. Become an Australia Institute supporter today. Guest: Yanis Varoufakis, economist & author // @yanisvaroufakis Guest: Clare Wright OAM, Professor of History and Professor of Public Engagement, La Trobe University // @clarewrighthistorian Guest: Randa Abdel-Fattah, Future Fellow in Sociology, Macquarie University // @RandaAFattah Guest: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Guest: Louise Adler AM, former Director, Adelaide Writers’ Week Guest: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Raise Your Soul: A Personal History of Resistance by Yanis Varoufakis, Penguin Books (November 2025) A Time for Bravery: What happens when Australia chooses courage?, Australia Institute Press (December 2025) What’s the Big Idea? 32 Ideas for a Better Australia, Australia Institute Press (December 2024) Naku Dharuk The Bark Petitions: How the People of Yirrkala Changed the Course of Australian Democracy by Clare Wright, Text Publishing (October 2024) Discipline by Randa Abdel-Fattah, UQ Press (September 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 [email protected]. 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Petrol and diesel prices are sky high because of the illegal US-Israel war on Iran, but major fuel shortages in Australia are very unlikely.  Matt Grudnoff and Ebony Bennett discuss Australia’s relatively strong position in global energy supply chains. Matt explains why some petrol stations have run low despite overall fuel supplies remaining steady, how the price hikes are fuelling inequality, and why Scott Morrison’s 2021 claim about an electric vehicle policy putting an “end to the weekend” now looks even more absurd than it did at the time. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 31 March. You can sign the Australia Institute’s petition calling on the federal government to make gas exporters pay their fair share. Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: 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) 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 [email protected]. 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected]. 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/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The far-right is benefitting from a failing status quo – but it doesn’t have to be this way. On this episode of Follow the Money, author and economist Gary Stevenson joins Ebony Bennett to discuss wealth inequality, the global issue of housing unaffordability, why Australia should tax gas properly, and how many far-right parties have become the Steven Bradburys of global politics. This episode was recorded on Thursday 26 February. 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: Gary Stevenson, economist and author of The Trading Game // @garyseconomics Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Tax: Beer drinkers vs gas companies by Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (February 2026) Killing the Australian Dream: The failure of the capital gains tax discount by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shedding voters on the left and the right, is the Liberal Party heading for “oblivion”? On this episode of Follow the Money, journalist and author Niki Savva and Australia Institute co-Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Denniss join Amy Remeikis to discuss how the Liberal Party ended up with their worst federal election result in modern history in 2025, why there’s no such thing as a safe seat in Australian politics anymore, and Nikki’s latest book, Earthquake: the election that shook Australia. This episode was recorded live at the Australia Institute’s Politics in the Pub in Canberra on Wednesday 18 February 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. Guest: Niki Savva, journalist, author and former political advisor Guest: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // @amyremeikis Show notes: There is no such thing as a safe seat | Fact sheet, the Australia Institute (October 2024) Polling – Dutton’s gas plans, the Australia Institute (April 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inequality creates insecurity and, as the United States is demonstrating right now, that insecurity can have devasting consequences for democracy. On this episode of Follow the Money, Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz joins Ebony Bennett and Dr Richard Denniss to discuss why Australia should get a better return for its natural resources, the power of corporations to mark up prices and push down wages, and why democracies should collect more corporate tax. This episode was recorded live on Wednesday 11 February 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. Guest: Joseph E Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate economist and Professor, Columbia University // @josephestiglitz Guest: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: The Price of Inequality: How Today's Divided Society Endangers Our Future by Joseph E Stiglitz (June 2013) Australia’s great gas giveaway: how Australia gives gas to multinational corporations for free by Mark Ogge, Rod Campbell and Piers Verstegan, the Australia Institute (May 2024) The capital gains discount and negative gearing benefit the rich and destroy housing affordability by Jack Thrower, the Australia Institute (February 2025) Trump’s Big Bill makes America more dangerous while enriching a few, After America, 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With a leading role in this year’s United Nations climate conference, the Australian government has an opportunity to show genuine solidarity with its Pacific neighbours and climate-vulnerable communities at home. On this episode of Follow the Money, Kumi Naidoo, South African human rights and climate advocate, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the need for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, why it’s past time for the Australia government to stop coal and gas expansion, and his new Vantage Point essay, What We Owe the Water. This episode was recorded on Monday 9 February 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. Guest: Kumi Naidoo, President, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative // @kuminaidoo Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: "A drowning memory": the Pacific Island communities fighting for their survival, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (March 2025) Foreign aid and climate finance, Australia’s dismal track record by Matt Saunders and Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute (November 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With inflation driven by Christmas holidays and data centres for artificial intelligence, the RBA didn’t need to raise the interest rate this week, argues Matt Grudnoff. On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff joins Ebony Bennett to discuss big economic reform opportunities facing the government and why the Reserve Bank of Australia is so cautious about cutting rates, yet so quick to hike them up. Join economist, author and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis and friends in Adelaide on Sunday 1 March and in Sydney on Thursday 5 March. Tickets are selling fast, so get yours now. Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Hasty decision inflicts more pain and will cost jobs, the Australia Institute (February 2026) Australian high schools the most expensive in the world – new research, the Australian Institute (February 2026) Treasurer Jim Chalmers on the likelihood of an interest rate rise today, Radio National Breakfast, Australian Broadcasting Corporation (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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australian government can’t keep its head in the sand and hope the chaos of the Trump administration will just go away. Dr Emma Shortis and Greg Jericho join Glenn Connley to discuss how Australia can navigate what Canadian PM Mark Carney calls the Trump “rupture”. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Guest: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: After America, the Australia Institute Dollars & Sense, the Australia Institute The IMF’s banal language is sane-washing an economic crisis created by the egomaniacal Donald Trump by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (January 2026) What the IMF actually said about Australia’s economy by Greg Jericho, The Point (January 2026) Shorter America this week: Trust is rust; It’s the white supremacy, stupid; Five Eyes goes cross-eyed by Emma Shortis, The Point (January 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government passed new gun control and hate speech legislation in a special parliamentary sitting, but what impact will they have on Australian democracy? Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne join Ebony Bennett to discuss how having fewer guns in the community will make Australians safer. However, the complex anti-hate legislation that was rushed through at the same time could have serious consequences for Australian society. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only. Where it all went wrong: the case against John Howard by Amy Remeikis is available for pre-order now. Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // @amyremeikis Guest: Bill Browne, Democracy & Accountability Director, the Australia Institute // @browne90 Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Federal Government passes new firearm, hate speech laws, The Point (January 2026) The Point Live with Amy Remeikis, The Point (January 2026) Every four hours, a gun is stolen in Australia, the Australia Institute (October 2025) Australia’s Gun Ownership Scorecard: A Growing Problem in Need of Reform, the Australia Institute (January 2025) Attorney-General attempts to explain extent of hate speech laws | 7.30, @ABCNewsInDepth on YouTube (January 2026) Would half of Australians prefer a One Nation MP to a Labor one? by Bill Browne, The Point 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Denniss discusses the government’s response to the Bondi terrorist attacks, the chaos of the Trump administration and how to protect Australia’s democracy. On this episode of Follow the Money, Richard Denniss and Ebony Bennett discuss the political and policy response to devasting Bondi terrorist attacks, the cancellation of Adelaide Writers’ Week, Trump and the Australia-US alliance, and what to look out for in federal politics in 2026. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only. Dead Centre: how political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is also available now. Guest: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: ‘Engaging with people you disagree with is part of democracy. Silencing authors is not.’ by Richard Denniss, The Point (January 2026) After America podcast, the Australia Institute 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What would it take to make the PALM scheme a genuine win-win for Australia and its neighbours? In the fourth and final episode of PALMed Off, host Morgan Harrington canvases some of the proposed solutions to the problems facing the PALM scheme, including an amnesty for disengaged workers and ensuring that everyone working in Australia has the right to leave their employer. PALMed Off is a special four-part series of Follow the Money exploring the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, an Australian Government guestworker program that could be putting people from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste at risk of modern slavery. The interviews for this podcast were recorded between June and August 2025. Host: Morgan Harrington, Research Manager, The Australia Institute // @mhharrington Interviewees: Ken Dachi (Welcoming Australia), Dr Lindy Kanan (researcher), Dr Matt Withers (ANU), (Waskam) Emelda Davis (ASSI-Port Jackson Chair), Thomas Costa (Unions NSW), anonymous former PALM workers Scripting and production support: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow & Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute Sound design and mixing: Simon Branthwaite Show notes: ‘The PALM Scheme: Labour rights for our Pacific partners’, The Australia Institute (December 2023) “If I stay like this, how can I benefit my family?” Initial findings on disengagement from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme by Kirstie Petrou, Matt Withers, Kaya Barry and Emily House, Griffith University (December 2025) Australian South Sea Islanders – Port Jackson: publications Theme music: ‘Mumbwe’ by Tio, with thanks to the Wantok Music Foundation We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PALM visas holders do not get Medicare (outside of a trial limited to 200 people), so what happens when they are injured, get sick or fall pregnant? In episode three of PALMed Off, host Morgan Harrington hears how a lack of affordable medical care can have dire consequences for PALM visa holders and discusses the problems faced by women who fall pregnant whilst working in Australia. PALMed Off is a special four-part series of Follow the Money exploring the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, an Australian Government guestworker program that could be putting people from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste at risk of modern slavery. The interviews for this podcast were recorded between June and August 2025. 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via their website. Host: Morgan Harrington, Research Manager, The Australia Institute // @mhharrington Interviewees: Ken Dachi (Welcoming Australia), Dr Lindy Kanan (researcher), Dr Matt Withers (The Australian National University), (Waskam) Emelda Davis (ASSI-Port Jackson Chair), Thomas Costa (Unions NSW), anonymous former PALM workers Scripting and production support: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow & Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute Sound design and mixing: Simon Branthwaite Show notes: ‘It’s not illegal to be pregnant’ by Lindy Kanan, DevPolicy Blog (May 2025) ‘Reproductive Health and Rights for PALM Scheme Workers – Statement’, Australian Women’s Health Alliance (May 2025) Theme music: ‘Mumbwe’ by Tio, with thanks to the Wantok Music Foundation We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where do the thousands of people who have left the PALM scheme, but stayed in Australia, go? How do they survive without a valid visa and, more importantly, what does the future hold for them? In episode two of PALMed Off, host Morgan Harrington travels to Leeton, New South Wales, a town that’s become a safe haven for some of the estimated 7,000 people who have ‘disengaged’ from the PALM scheme. We find out what leads people to make the difficult decision to walk away from their employer and speak to some of the community members trying to help them. PALMed Off is a special four-part series of Follow the Money exploring the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, an Australian Government guestworker program that could be putting people from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste at risk of modern slavery. The interviews for this podcast were recorded between June and August 2025. Host: Morgan Harrington, Research Manager, The Australia Institute // @mhharrington Interviewees: Ken Dachi (Welcoming Australia), Paul Maytom (Leeton Multicultural Support Group), Ian Bull (member of St. Peter’s Anglican congregation, Leeton), (Waskam) Emelda Davis (ASSI-Port Jackson Chair), anonymous former PALM workers Scripting and production support: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow & Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute Sound design and mixing: Simon Branthwaite Show notes: ‘Towards a Fair and Sustainable PALM Scheme’, PALM position paper from the Mayoral Alliance for the Pacific, Welcoming Communities ‘Meat the Reality: Unpacking the Exploitation of PALM Scheme Workers in Australia’s Meat Industry’ by Ema Moolchand and Professor Shelley Marshall, RMIT University (February 2025) Theme music: ‘Mumbwe’ by Tio, with thanks to the Wantok Music Foundation We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this summer mini-series, we examine the Australian guestworker program that could be putting people from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste at risk of modern slavery. In PALMed Off, a special Follow the Money mini-series, we explore the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, a program that allows people from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste to work in Australia on a special temporary visa. The Australian Government argues the program is a win for the workers, their home communities and Australian employers. But PALM visa holders are subjected to restrictions that no other worker in Australia – temporary or permanent – have to put up with, and this has led to concerns that the program is facilitating modern slavery in Australia. In the first episode of this four-part series, host Morgan Harrington speaks with people from Vanuatu who have worked in Australia under the PALM scheme and considers what it really means for Australia’s relationships with Pacific Island nations. The interviews for this podcast were recorded between June and August 2025. Host: Morgan Harrington, Research Manager, The Australia Institute // @mhharrington Interviewees: Enoch Takaua (ecotourism business operator), Thomas Costa (Unions NSW), Dr James Cockayne (NSW Anti-slavery Commissioner), (Waskam) Emelda Davis (ASSI-Port Jackson Chair), Dr Matt Withers (ANU), Murielle Meltenoven (Commissioner, Vanuatu Department of Labour & Employment Services), anonymous former PALM workers. Scripting and production support: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow & Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute Sound design and mixing: Simon Branthwaite Show notes: “Be Our Guests: Addressing urgent modern slavery risks for temporary migrant workers in rural and regional New South Wales", Report of the Office of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner (September 2024) Unions NSW Migrant Workers Hub Australian South Sea Islanders – Port Jackson: publications Theme music: ‘Mumbwe’ by Tio, with thanks to the Wantok Music Foundation  We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rumours about America's role in the dismissal of Gough Whitlam have circulated for decades – but is there any truth to them?  On this special episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis explores the state of the Australia-United States relationship under the Whitlam government, the machinations at the time around the renewal of Pine Gap, and the previously untold account of Dr Liz Cham, former executive assistant in the office of Prime Minister Whitlam, who recalls handing over a mystery letter to an American official just before the Dismissal. The interview with Liz Cham was recorded on Thursday 30 October. This episode first aired on After America on Tuesday 25 November A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only. Guest: Elizabeth Cham, fellow at the University of Technology Sydney and former executive assistant in the office of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Scripting and production support: Stephen Long Sound design and mixing: Simon Branthwaite Show notes: Did the CIA overthrow the Whitlam government? by Charlie Lewis, Crikey (November 2025) What Washington really thought of Whitlam before the dismissal by James Curran, Australia Financial Review (November 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website, www.lifeline.org.au.Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Traditional custodians are fighting back against climate-destroying gas developments being rammed through by Canadian governments. On this episode of Follow the Money, Hereditary Chief Na’Moks of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, Gwii Lok’im Gibuu Jesse Stoeppler of the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Nations, and Kai Nagata from not-for-profit Dogwood tell us about their fight to stop gas giants including Woodside on unceded Indigenous lands. Join Hereditary Chief Na’Moks and Gwii Lok’im Gibuu Jesse Stoeppler at the Stop Woodside in Canada event at Victorian Trades Hall at 6.15pm AEDT on Thursday 11 December. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only. Guest: Hereditary Chief Na’Moks,Wet’suwet’en Nation Guest: Gwii Lok’im Gibuu Jesse Stoeppler, Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Nations and the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition Guest: Kai Nagata, Communications Director, Dogwood Host: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Yintah | Official Trailer | Netflix The Fight to Save Murujuga, the Australia Institute (May 2025) Canadian traditional owners fear Australian-style LNG development by Charlie McLean and Chelsea Reid, ABC (December 2025) The Ksi Lisims LNG project faces significant infrastructure, regulatory and financial risks, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (June 2025) Canada, don’t make the same mistake with LNG that Australia did by Mark Ogge, The Globe and Mail (July 2025) Honest Government Ad | Watch out, Canada!, The Juice Media on YouTube (November 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These days, Aussie music is falling out of the charts, leaving local acts wondering if they’ll ever see your face again. INXS. Kyle Minogue. Even the Wiggles. Australia has an incredible musical legacy, but with declining streaming numbers and revenues heading abroad, will the Aussie musician just become somebody we used to know? On this episode of Follow the Money, former Spotify Chief Economist Will Page and Australia Institute Research Manager Morgan Harrington join Ebony Bennett to discuss how to reverse the decline of Australian music. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now. Guest: Will Page, Strategic Advisory, Pivotal Economics Guest: Morgan Harrington, Research Manager, the Australia Institute // @mhharrington Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Reversing the decline of Australian music: Australia’s ‘one way valve’ dilemma by Will Page and Morgan Harrington, the Australia Institute (November 2025) Immy Owusu RVG 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australian scientific discoveries have improved people’s lives and made the economy more productive – so why is the CSIRO being forced to shed workers again? On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff and Ebony Bennett discuss the latest job cuts at the CSIRO, why this is a missed opportunity as researchers leave the United States, and why science investment matters for productivity. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘SAVE5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now. Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: If the Government's top priority is productivity, slashing the CSIRO budget does not make sense by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (November 2025) The Wage Price Index (WPI) shows wages are up. So why doesn't it feel that way? by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (November 2025) Who needs world-changing, life-saving science when you’ve got rugby league? by Ebony Bennett, The Canberra Times (November 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With brave climate leadership, says former South Australian Premier Mike Rann, Anthony Albanese could leave a lasting legacy similar to Bob Hawke with Medicare, Paul Keating with compulsory superannuation and Kevin Rudd with the apology to the Stolen Generations. On this episode of Follow the Money, Mike Rann addresses the fossil fuel industry’s tobacco-like tactics, South Australia’s leadership of progressive reform, and why policy bravery can be great politics, as he delivered the Australia Institute’s Hugh Saddler Memorial Lecture. This episode was recorded live on Thursday 13 November. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now. Guest: Mike Rann, Chair of the UK Climate Group and former Premier of South Australia // @Mike_Rann Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Coalition offers crash course on staying in opposition for forever by Ebony Bennett, The Canberra Times (November 2025) Australia Last: The failure of Australian gas policy by Matthew Saunders and Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute (November 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Protecting Australia’s incredible natural environment from bad policy, spurred on corporate interests and a hostile media, can sometimes feel like an impossible task. But sometimes, people power wins out. On this episode of Follow the Money, former head of the Australian Greens Bob Brown joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the irreplaceable beauty of Australia’s natural environment, the current government’s efforts to change our nature laws, and his latest book, Defiance: Stories from Nature and Its Defenders. This episode was recorded live on Friday 31 October as part of our Australia’s Biggest Book Club webinar series. Join the Book Club to find out about our upcoming webinars with authors. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Bob Brown, environmentalist, author and former head of the Australian Greens Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Defiance: Stories from Nature and Its Defenders by Bob Brown, Black Inc. (September 2025) This shocking deal is a gross betrayal of millions of voters by Ebony Bennett, The Canberra Times (October 2025) The fight to save Murujuga, the Australia Institute (June 2025) North West Shelf final approval a climate, economic and energy security disaster, the Australia Institute (September 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poor governance, poor policy and decades of neoliberalism have broken Australia’s university sector, with devastating consequences for students and the country. On this episode of Follow the Money, Richard Denniss and Ebony Bennett discuss the lack of accountability in Australia’s universities, why some institutions’ claims of financial crises aren’t supported by their auditors, and what Australians think about the state of the sector. Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Richard Denniss, co-CEO, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Australians believe universities are too expensive and not doing their job: polling, the Australia Institute (November 2025) There is no financial crisis at the University of Newcastle: new analysis, the Australia Institute (October 2025) The ANU’s hidden $90m budget surplus, the Australia Institute (October 2025) Failing the test: Australian universities in crisis, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s natural environment is in crisis and its wealth is disappearing into the hands of a few powerful fossil fuel companies – but it doesn’t have to be this way. On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Ebony Bennett discuss the lack of political will to properly protect the natural environment, a proposal for a 25% gas export tax to replace the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax, and new research showing that Adani cost Queenslanders hundreds of millions of dollars by selling coal at mates’ rates. Strong environment laws stop new coal and gas. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to genuinely strengthen Australia’s environment laws. Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Can Albanese claim ‘success’ with Trump? Beyond the banter, the vague commitments should be viewed with scepticism by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025) Environment minister could approve projects at odds with nature laws under Labor overhaul by Dan Jervis-Bardy and Adam Morton, Guardian Australia (October 2025) Adani selling coal to India at mates rates, costing Queenslanders $400 million, the Australia Institute (October 2025) Progressive patriotism: ACTU’s 25% gas export tax should replace broken PRRT, the Australia Institute (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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Donald Trump was relatively drama-free, but the devil is in the detail when it comes to the president’s ‘commitments’ on AUKUS and critical minerals. On this crossover episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss why Australia is still unlikely to receive any Virginia-class submarines, why the “shared values” that supposedly underpin the Australia-US alliance are looking increasingly shaky, and Trump’s bizarre AI video showing himself dropping excrement on protesters. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis is available via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Can Albanese claim ‘success’ with Trump? Beyond the banter, the vague commitments should be viewed with scepticism by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025) Albanese hints US could still seek changes to Aukus agreement amid review by Josh Butler, Guardian Australia (October 2025) Trump’s shutdown power play, After America, the Australia Institute (October 2025) 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Environment laws that don’t stop new gas and coal are like putting screen doors on a submarine. On this episode of Follow the Money, Leanne Minshull and Ebony Bennett discuss the Federal Government’s efforts to push through changes to Australia’s busted environment laws with the support of the Coalition. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Leanne Minshull, co-CEO, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: This shocking deal is a gross betrayal of millions of voters by Ebony Bennett, The Canberra Times (October 2025) Top Australian scientists unite in defence of science on Maugean skate, the Australia Institute No delay, no excuses, no carbon offsets: Submission to the NSW Koala Strategy Review by Adam Gottschalk and Polly Hemming, the Australia Institute (May 2024) Save Tuvalu, Save the World, 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If Australia just collected the OECD average in tax, the government would have an extra $130 billion a year to spend on essential services like health and education. On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff and Ebony Bennett discuss the latest data from the Australian Taxation Office showing that 30 per cent of large corporations paid no company tax in 2023-24 – with the gas, coal, salmon and tech industries among the worst offenders. Use the code ‘podcast’ to get 50% off tickets to the Australia Institute’s Revenue Summit. Discount available for Follow the Money listeners while stocks last. Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: New government data confirms gas exporters continue to pay no tax, the Australia Institute (October 2025) Big gas is taking the piss, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (April 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the international order changing rapidly, there’s never been a more important time for effective Australian diplomacy. On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Glenn Connley discuss Anthony Albanese’s major diplomatic tour, the US Defense Secretary’s concerning warning to his top brass, and why the Trump-Netanyahu peace plan seems “doomed to fail”. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis is available via Australia Institute Press. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director of International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: After America, the Australia Institute Australia’s failure of diplomacy in PNG shows we can’t – and won’t – understand our Pacific neighbours by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (September 2025) Is Australia REALLY choosing to help our Pacific neighbours? The Australia Institute on YouTube (August 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One and a half million Australians could be at risk from rising sea levels, yet the Government continues to approve new climate destroying fossil fuel projects. On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the National Climate Risk Assessment, the Government’s new emissions reduction targets, and its disastrous decision to approve the North West Shelf gas expansion. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Labor’s 62 to 70% climate target does not align with the science, but can be met by phasing out fossil fuels, the Australia Institute (September 2025) Devastating climate risk assessment shows fossil fuel exports must end, the Australia Institute (September 2025) North West Shelf final approval a climate, economic and energy security disaster, the Australia Institute (September 2025) Anote Tong & Dr Monique Ryan MP | Melbourne, the Australia Institute on YouTube (March 2024) Albanese takes his usual each-way bet on climate change by Ross Gittens (September 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Senator Doug Cameron calls on the federal government to reject “warmongering” and abandon the AUKUS deal. On this episode of Follow the Money, former Labor Senator for New South Wales Doug Cameron speaks about the Australia-US relationship, the “madness” of AUKUS, and how the federal government can prepare for peace – not war. The 2025 Laurie Carmichael Lecture was delivered on Wednesday 10 September and presented by the Carmichael Centre at the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS. After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis and Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss are available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Doug Cameron, former Labor Senator for New South Wales // @DougCameron51 Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Australian Sovereignty and the Path to Peace – 2025 Laurie Carmichael Lecture, the Centre for Future Work (September 2025) After America, the Australia Institute Polling – AUKUS, the Australia Institute (July 2025) Address at Chautauqua, N.Y. by Franklin D Roosevelt (August 1936) 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 [email protected] Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government’s proposed changes to freedom of information laws represent a “serious attack” on Australia’s democracy, according to former Senator Rex Patrick. On this episode of Follow the Money, transparency advocate Rex Patrick and Australia Institute Democracy & Accountability Director Bill Browne to discuss the failing freedom of information system and why the proposed changes could make government less transparent – not more. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Rex Patrick, former Senator for South Australia // @mrrexpatrick Guest: Bill Browne, Democracy & Accountability Director, the Australia Institute // @browne90 Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Proposed changes to Freedom of Information scheme don’t add up, the Australia Institute (September 2025) Transparency Summit 2024, 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 [email protected] Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With large language models threatening to swamp Australia’s traditional media, a little bit of government funding could go a long way to protect public interest journalism. On this episode of Follow the Money, Clive Marshall, former CEO of the Press Association (UK), and Emma Cowdroy, Acting CEO of Australian Associated Press, join Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss to discuss artificial intelligence and the news. Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website. Keep up with everything that’s happening at the Australia Institute by subscribing to our newsletter. Guest: Clive Marshall, former Chief Executive Officer, The Press Association (UK) Guest: Emma Cowdroy, Acting CEO, Australian Associated Press Host: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Media and Democracy, 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 [email protected] Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.