The rich are getting richer
Australia’s overly generous approach to taxing wealth is allowing the richest Australians to keep more for themselves.
Safe to speak: protecting the whistleblower
For most would-be whistleblowers, the cost of courage is way too high. A whistleblower protection authority would ease their path.
Now is the time for brave reform
A housing crisis, accelerating climate change and widening inequality all confront the re-elected Albanese Government, but the solutions exist (and often aren’t that complicated).
Trump-Musk meltdown & the administration’s ‘crystal ball’
Musk may be out, but the influence of the tech bros has never been greater.
Protecting your ABC
The ABC is always under attack. The best thing we can do for democracy is defend it.
May 2025
Rates are down (Elinor still can’t afford a house)
Rate cuts are great, but the Government needs to make sure that housing investors aren’t the main beneficiaries.
What does good cultural leadership look like?
There’s nothing indulgent about public funding for Australian culture. More funds would fix many of the sector’s problems.
Is the fight against inflation over?
It’s won and done.
Failing the test: Australian universities in crisis
Great countries have great institutions, but Australian universities are a mess.
The economy (it still exists)
For housing affordability to improve, wages must grow faster than house prices.
“Don’t waste it”: Labor’s historic policy opportunity
With the influence of the right-wing media waning, the Labor Government can use its massive majority to pursue big reforms.
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.
April 2025
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.
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.
No joke
The Trump administration’s approach to the world can be summed up in three emojis: fist, American flag, fire. The president, meanwhile, is busy “not joking” about staying in office for an unconstitutional third term.
March 2025
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?
Australia’s sick housing joke
Looking to buy a house? Having a good job that pays good money probably won’t be enough.
February 2025
What’s driving the wealth inequality crisis?
Without addressing the wealth inequality crisis, Australia’s economy and society will suffer.
January 2025
Killing for Country with David Marr | Summer Book Club
David Marr discusses the frontier wars and the shocking family discovery that led to his award-winning book, Killing for Country.
The work with Bri Lee | Summer Book Club
Bri Lee, one of Australia’s most exciting young writers, joins us to discuss her debut novel, The Work, and the politics of power and privilege.
December 2024
Fixing Australia’s housing crisis with Alan Kohler
Houses should be a place to live, not a ladder to wealth.
November 2024
Making America pay
Trump says he’s going to make other countries pay with a sweeping new tariff regime – but in reality, everyone will lose.
The worm kingdom
We discuss brainworms, Elon’s new gig, and why it’s a really bad idea to micro-dose E. coli.
Less for more: Australia’s dud private health insurance system
Private health insurance is getting more expensive and covering less – it’s time for a major rethink, says Greg Jericho.
October 2024
Who’ll run the world
Chas Licciardello joins us to discuss Beyonce’s Texas appearance, Trump’s hate-filled Madison Square Garden dude-fest, and how the campaigns are spending their money.
The misery business: why economists should cheer up about low unemployment
Record numbers of Australians are employed – that’s a great thing, despite what the interest rate doomers are telling you, says Greg Jericho.
You’re gonna be the one that saves me: Albo’s dynamic pricing crackdown
Consumers are finding themselves caught beneath the landslide of hidden fees, surcharges and corporate price gouging, says Greg Jericho.
The way we disagree
Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno joins us to discuss how conflict in the Middle East is reverberating through Australia and reconciliation one year after the Voice referendum.
General Enquiries
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mail@australiainstitute.org.au
Media Enquiries
Glenn Connley Senior Media Advisor