Podcasts
No place for violence in Australian democracy
On this episode of Follow the Money, Amy Remeikis, Greg Jericho and Ebony Bennett discuss violence, decency and dissent in Australia’s democracy following the alleged violent attack on Dr Helen Haines MP, who remains in critical condition in hospital. This episode was recorded on Wednesday 21 October. 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual
Waking up to reality? How Europe’s responding to Trump 2.0
The United States keeps telling us what an unreliable ally it is. Are European governments now getting the message?
SPECIAL GUEST | What’s the point of getting angry at government? with pollster Alex Fein
On this episode of What’s the Point?, Alex Fein, researcher and strategist at Redbridge, joins Richard Denniss to discuss why so many Australians are angry right now, the real message many voters are sending to the political establishment, and the dirty secret about productivity. This episode was recorded on Friday 16 October. Read more on
Jim Chalmers on reform and taking on the far right
Treasurer Jim Chalmers outlines the big challenges facing Australia and the importance of changing the status quo – a situation that is clearly not working for many Australians.
Australian government unprepared to “back its own values” with Trump’s America
The Australian government has been excruciatingly silent when it comes to standing up for the International Criminal Court and foundations of international law it so loves to talk about.
What’s the point of materialism?
On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss discusses the important distinction between consumerism and materialism and why being ‘materialistic’ isn’t necessarily a bad thing. This episode was recorded on Thursday 1 October. Read more on The Point. Enter the code CURED to get 25% off Curing Affluenza: How to buy less stuff and
Younger Australians “locked out” as intergenerational housing divide grows
Australia is a rich country, but for many younger Australians, the ability to share in that prosperity is increasingly out of reach.
Shared challenges, shared failures: Canada and Australia aren’t meeting the moment
While miles apart in their responses to the Trump administration, Canada and Australia are in lock-step on expanding fossil fuel production.
What’s the point of neoliberalism?
On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss explains the theory of ‘trickle-down’ economics – and why so much of the money seems to be trickling the other way. This episode was recorded on Thursday 24 September. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay
New world, same Reserve Bank
There’s a war on Iran choking global oil supplies, an artificial intelligence boom, and a US president torpedoing the global trading system, but inflation simply MUST be normal, according to the RBA.
September 2026
How the NT won Australia’s race-to-the-bottom on online gambling regulation
With no national regulator, Australia’s multibillion-dollar online gambling industry is effectively regulated by a Northern Territory body with no full-time staff, says Independent MLA Justine Davis.
Placid Trump-Xi summit bucks Washington ‘consensus’ of ever-rising tensions
Last week’s Trump-Xi meeting delivered few tangible outcomes, but is a bigger shift in US-China relations under way?
What’s the point of inflation?
On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss explains what’s really driving inflation in Australia and why interest rates aren’t actually the only way to control it. This episode was recorded on Friday 11 September. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia
Will Australia “keep up and succeed”? Lessons from the Intergenerational Report
Artificial intelligence dominates the latest Intergenerational Report – but are multi-decade predictions about the rapidly changing technology any more than just a stab in the dark?
The promise of a future: it’s time to phase out fossil fuels
Despite dire warnings from the scientific community and Australia’s Pacific neighbours, the federal government isn’t getting the message.
Where are the red lines? Australia, genocide and international law
A new suite of legislation aims to ensure that Australia doesn’t fund, arm or invest in illegal settlements, war crimes or genocide – but the federal government has blocked an inquiry into the bills.
What’s the point of progressive politics?
The Prime Minister said he wants to promote ‘progressive patriotism’ – but his policies tell a different story. In this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard explains the dangers of centrism and what progressive politics actually looks like. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay
A shocking number of Australians on Jobseeker are dying – it doesn’t have to be this way
By lifting the rate of Jobseeker, the Australian government could save lives.
Australia built an illness system, not a health system
Soaring specialist costs, an increasingly complex system, and Australians getting sicker for longer suggest all is not well in Australian health care.
America’s “shocking” access to Australian bases, revealed
The United States controls or has access to more than 100 defence facilities on Australian soil, according to new research.
What’s the point of data centres?
On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss examines Australia’s artificial intelligence boom and the political fight over who reaps the rewards. This episode was recorded on Friday 4 September. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now.
The cost-of-living lesson for the government in early super access debate
Early super access proposals would ultimately make people worse off – but the government could do more to help Australians currently in need.
The nasty secret buried in Australian workers’ contracts
Non-compete clauses suppress wages, reduce productivity and stifle innovation. Now, the federal government is looking to ban them for most workers.
“Part of the problem”: why Australia, US haven’t joined nuclear weapons ban treaty
Nine nuclear weapons states are holding the rest of the world “hostage to annihilation”, but the Australian government is yet to act on a global ban.
What’s the point of the GST?
On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss explains the goods and services tax. The GST was supposed to grow over time, so that state and territory governments would have a reliable income source to help them fund the important services they provide long into the future. Richard looks into whether it is actually
EVs driving “discretionary” spending, so will the RBA slam the brakes?
Australia’s economy is not overheating, so why are experts predicting a rate hike?
Break up the ‘big four’: fixing Australia’s scandal-plagued consulting sector
After years of scandals, it’s time to break up Australia’s ‘big four’ consultancy firms.
An unhealthy alliance: 75 years of ANZUS
The Australia-United States relationship is strong in spite of the flawed defence partnership.
August 2026
What’s the point of the Productivity Commission?
The Productivity Commission is a government-funded economic think tank that’s meant to give independent advice about how to make the Australian economy work better. On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss discusses whether it is fit for purpose. Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute //@richarddenniss Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang Climate Integrity
Will the data centre “boom” make us better off?
Profits are surging and living standards are not. Will the AI boom be any different?
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