The economy (it still exists)
For housing affordability to improve, wages must grow faster than house prices.
Oligarchy or democracy?
The Trump administration is orchestrating a colossal transfer of wealth and power to the very rich.
A rich country in a housing crisis?
To end the housing crisis, governments need to stop subsidising private investors and instead directly invest in social housing.
Your election questions answered
We discuss the latest inflation data and answer your questions about the economy ahead of election day.
April 2025
Yes, Australia can curb fossil fuel exports
We have restricted export industries in the past.
Boys will be boys
The white men in the White House are trying to radically reshape modern America.
Crushing the Australian (and Elinor’s) dream
A number of the housing policy proposals on offer in this election will make affordability worse.
The cruel housing hoax
Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne discuss the federal election campaign so far, the performance of the media, and how preferential voting actually works.
Actually though, what the hell is going on in the economy?
It’s chaos out there.
Bully’s gonna bully
The Australian defence and foreign policy establishment is trying to continue with alliance-as-usual with America, but Trump will always put Australia’s interests second.
Trump’s tariffs won’t wreck Australia’s economy. But America’s could be cooked.
Americans are going to bear the brunt of Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs.
Home economics: housing, living standards and the federal election
With housing affordability at an all-time low and the spectre of Trump looming large over our region, Australians’ standard of living will be at the heart of the debate from now until election day.
March 2025
A Budget that does no harm (sort of)
This “wimpy” budget tells us one thing: the election campaign is here.
We don’t need no Education
Trump has signed an Executive Order that seeks to dismantle the Federal Department of Education – but can he actually do it?
Don’t gut our environment laws
The Government’s proposed environmental law changes are an attack on our democracy and could benefit destructive industries far beyond Tasmania’s coastal ecosystems.
Greg’s budget wishlist
The Australian Government can’t afford to do everything, but it can afford to do anything it wants.
Dog acts
The will-he-or-won’t-he game over Trump’s steel and alumnium tariffs is over. Turns out he will – despite the apparent offerings of the Australian Government.
Fish out of water
Chunks of dead salmon have washed up on Tasmanian beaches and the Maugean skate is at risk of extinction, so why won’t governments to more to rein in the salmon industry in Tasmania?
Australia’s sick housing joke
Looking to buy a house? Having a good job that pays good money probably won’t be enough.
Enemies of the state
The public sector is under fire, but is it really as inefficient as DOGE and Dutton claim?
Australia’s economy has turned a corner. America’s is heading off a cliff.
Australia’s per capita recession is over, but the United States economy could be in for much worse.
February 2025
Australia’s surplus obsession (and why it needs to end)
The Government is being grilled by the media about how it will pay for its changed to Medicare – but why are journalists not asking the same questions of Australia’s expensive and unfair tax concessions?
DOGE days: Trump’s war on the civil service
By laying off tens of thousands of federal employees, challenging the authority of judges and throwing erstwhile allies under the bus, the Trump administration is radically reshaping America and its role in the world.
A soft landing? What the rate cut means for the Australian economy
The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates for the first time since November 2020 – so is the Australian economy out of the woods?
You get a tariff. YOU get a tariff!
And some of you get annexed (maybe).
Stop the steel
We discuss Trump’s new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports and what they’ll mean for Australia.
What’s driving the wealth inequality crisis?
Without addressing the wealth inequality crisis, Australia’s economy and society will suffer.
January 2025
The circular economy of bad ideas
Slashing public service jobs won’t make government more efficient.
The not-so-super tax concessions
Superannuation tax concessions benefit the richest Australians most – so why is the government finding it so hard to make modest changes to the system?
Okay, it’s not ALL Greg’s fault
Just some things.
General Enquiries
Emily Bird Office Manager
mail@australiainstitute.org.au
Media Enquiries
Glenn Connley Senior Media Advisor