Dollars & Sense
Dollars & Sense demystifies the latest economic figures, how they impact you and what they can tell us about the economy, with host Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work, and author of Guardian Australia’s Grogonomics column.
How bad policy created a housing crisis
The capital gains tax concession and negative gearing have worked together to make housing less affordable and exacerbate inequality.
Inflation beats employment by the length of the straight (sigh)
On our 100th episode of Dollars & Sense, we discuss why the Reserve Bank always seems to prioritise inflation over employment in its interest rate discussions.
October 2025
Reddit to the rescue: watchdog sues Microsoft after AI price-hike complaints
Plenty of big tech companies are losing money on their artificial intelligence investments, begging the question: do people actually want the products?
How gold became a memecoin
People have been queuing for gold and it’s giving toilet paper in 2020.
Pots and kettles: Trump trades barbs with China over trade
The global economic outlook is “dim” according to a new report, driven by uncertainty over Trump’s economic and trade policies.
Housing affordability to get worse as big corporates do annual tax magic
Renting a place to live is getting more expensive and house price rises are tipped to accelerate.
The housing market just got more cooked
The federal government’s policy enabling five per cent house deposits is just a backdoor first homebuyer’s grant that’ll pump up prices.
September 2025
How ScoMo stuffed the GST
Scott Morrison’s GST deal with Western Australia stuffed the system, but there are plenty of ways the Government could make it better.
The biggest risk to Australia’s economy
A new report outlines the grave consequences of climate change for the Australian economy – so why is the government still approving fossil fuel projects?
Robodebt and super tax: Rob the poor, feed the rich?
When our most vulnerable are treated with suspicion, and our wealthiest get massive tax cuts, what does that say about our priorities?
Productivity crisis? Australia’s “lazy” oligopolies could step up
For all the talk about what government should do about productivity, Australia’s biggest corporations remain inefficient and unwilling to invest.
August 2025
How not to impose a tariff
Postal services around the world have suspended services to the United States in response to the Trump administration’s chaotic tariff policies.
Red mist over the red tape cop out
Some regulations are good. Some are not. But cutting mystery ‘red tape’ is not panacea for improving productivity growth.
Price gouging is profitable, more news at 11
Turns out being Australia’s Biggest Bank is very profitable when there isn’t much competition…
The problem with productivity
We discuss the proposals around corporate tax and artificial intelligence ahead of the government’s productivity roundtable.
July 2025
Lowest inflation since Covid, but will the RBA act?
Inflation is at its lowest level since March 2021, and below the RBA’s target in five capital cities. If there isn’t a rate cut coming soon, Greg will be absolutely flummoxed.
Australia is a low-taxing nation
Also: the country is not too reliant on income tax.
Special treatment: why are defence dollars different?
The Australian Government doesn’t allocate spending to health or education as a proportion of GDP. Why should defence be any different?
RBA moves goalposts and keeps rates on hold
The Reserve Bank’s shock decision not to cut rates will hurt mortgage holders and the economy.
Negative gearing is back, baby!
Positive gearing is so FY21-22.
June 2025
The rich cry poor; the media laps it up
The debate over superannuation tax concessions shows that the wealthiest Australians get to play by different rules.
The rich are getting richer
Australia’s overly generous approach to taxing wealth is allowing the richest Australians to keep more for themselves.
Greg’s productivity wishlist
The Albanese Government has made improving productivity central to its second term agenda, but how can it make a difference without throwing workers under the bus?
Why Australia’s economic growth is “pathetic”
The latest data shows that economy is really struggling and the Reserve Bank got it wrong (again). Plus: TACO corner.
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.
Is the fight against inflation over?
It’s won and done.
The economy (it still exists)
For housing affordability to improve, wages must grow faster than house prices.
If not now, when?
After the election, the re-elected Labor Government has an extraordinary opportunity to make big structural changes to the economy.
Your election questions answered
We discuss the latest inflation data and answer your questions about the economy ahead of election day.
April 2025
Defence: too much is never enough
For all the talk of defence spending in the election campaign, much of what Australians hold dear is being left behind.
General Enquiries
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mail@australiainstitute.org.au
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