Follow the Money
The Australia Institute’s Follow the Money podcast explains Australia’s big economic issues in plain English. We bust myths, dissect politics, interpret econobabble and help you sound really smart at your next dinner party, with host Ebony Bennett.
“That’s cooked”: welcome to 2025
Richard Denniss joins the show to discuss Trump’s inauguration and the upcoming federal election.
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.
Bad cop with Lech Blaine | Summer Book Club
Award-winning writer Lech Blaine traces the making of Peter Dutton – from Queensland detective to leader of the Opposition.
December 2024
Highway to hell with Joëlle Gergis | Summer Book Club
Do Australians truly grasp the impact of a warming planet and what it could mean for our sunburnt country?
Minority report with George Megalogenis | Summer Book Club
Australia’s status quo political culture is under pressure – so what does this mean for the upcoming federal election?
Fixing Australia’s housing crisis with Alan Kohler
Houses should be a place to live, not a ladder to wealth.
What’s the point of Australia?
Amy Remeikis joins us to reflect on Anthony Albanese’s turbulent year as Prime Minister and preview the federal election campaign.
November 2024
The major party stitch-up with Helen Haines
Independent MP Helen Haines joins us to talk about how a deal between the Government and the Opposition could swing Australia’s electoral laws in their favour.
The uninsurables: how climate change is pricing people out of home insurance
More frequent and severe disasters are sending insurance costs through the roof, creating a north-south divide in Australia.
Hitting our limits: the climate and COP29
The United Nations climate change negotiations are skirting around the critical issue of phasing out fossil fuels and are in desperate need of reform, says Sandrine Dixson-Declève.
The AUKward truth about the US relationship
With its democracy under assault, America needs a friend, not a flunkey.
October 2024
We can, in fact, have nice things
He lost the Queensland election, but former Premier Steven Miles may have saved the furniture by putting forward popular, progressive policies that voters responded to.
Secrecy is not security
Excessive secrecy in government decision-making makes Australia less safe, not more.
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.
Super-powered nukes: Aussie funds and weapons of mass destruction
Australian superannuation funds have been investing in nuclear weapons, according to new research.
Are the Big Two too big? Reining in the supermarket giants
Senator Nick McKim joins us to discuss the ACCC legal action against Coles and Woolworths and why the government should have the power to break up the Big Two.
September 2024
Offsetting into oblivion with George Monbiot
By relying on uncertain and unethical carbon offsets to combat the climate crisis, society is setting itself on a path to destruction, George Monbiot says.
Mining’s big temper tantrum
The mining industry had a pre-election sook last week about government policy, but its claims about being the ‘backbone’ of the economy are more spin than substance.
Nothing in reserve: households “smashed” by rate hikes
The Reserve Bank is home to the experts on monetary policy – but what happens when they get it wrong?
Jumping at shadows with Mark Kenny
Mark Kenny joins us to discuss the government’s census own goal and Australia’s flagging economy.
August 2024
Can quality journalism survive in Australia?
On this episode, we discuss regulating the digital giants, the challenge of artificial intelligence and restoring trust in the media.
Wealth of nations: how Australia’s prosperity is funnelled to the ultra-rich
Australia’s flawed tax system means that there’s never been a better time to be ultra-wealthy in Australia, despite some people struggling to put food on the table.
The road to freedom with Joseph Stiglitz
Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz joins us to discuss how to create a fairer, freer society and the “fertile field” neoliberalism has created for demagogues.
New divides with Paul Bongiorno
We discuss declining social cohesion, the Prime Minister’s visit to the Northern Territory and the cabinet reshuffle with veteran journalist Paul Bongiorno.
How superannuation tax concessions help the rich get richer
Super tax concessions make inequality worse and are at risk of becoming more expensive than the aged pension.
July 2024
Why no seat is ‘safe’ anymore
The rise of independents and minor parties means that Labor and the Coalition can no longer take any race for granted.
The fight to free Jimmy Lai
Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai faces life in prison in Hong Kong, but his son Sebastien and renowned human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson are leading the fight to set him free.
Democracy (handle with care)
Careless political finance reforms could shift the balance in Australian democracy in favour of special interests.
June 2024
Don’t listen to this podcast
The Coalition’s nuclear ‘plan’ is a cynical, Trump-like distraction – so why does the media (and this podcast) fall for the trap?
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