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 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.
Crushing the Australian (and Elinor’s) dream
A number of the housing policy proposals on offer in this election will make affordability worse.
Actually though, what the hell is going on in the economy?
It’s chaos out there.
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.
March 2025
A Budget that does no harm (sort of)
This “wimpy” budget tells us one thing: the election campaign is here.
Greg’s budget wishlist
The Australian Government can’t afford to do everything, but it can afford to do anything it wants.
Australia’s sick housing joke
Looking to buy a house? Having a good job that pays good money probably won’t be enough.
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?
You get a tariff. YOU get a tariff!
And some of you get annexed (maybe).
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.
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