Podcasts
July 2024
Return of the king?
What does the Supreme Court’s monumental ruling on presidential immunity mean for the future of American democracy?
Supermarxist? Dutton and the duopoly
The prime minister joked that the Coalition is turning communist, but having strong powers to break up the Coles-Woolies duopoly is sensible economic policy, Matt Grudnoff says.
Democracy (handle with care)
Careless political finance reforms could shift the balance in Australian democracy in favour of special interests.
America: at war with itself
Can Biden recover from a disastrous debate performance?
June 2024
A nuclear nothingburger
The faux-debate over nuclear energy is a distraction from the main game – reducing our emissions to address the climate crisis, says Greg Jericho.
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?
The narrow path
At a time of major uncertainty in the economy, Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock’s honesty is refreshing, says Greg Jericho.
Australia’s great gas giveaway
Gas is a finite resource – so why is Australia essentially giving it away?
Pick your poison
The government is trying to strike a delicate balance in the economy, getting inflation down without sending the country into recession, says Greg Jericho.
Is America heading towards disaster?
With just five months until the presidential election, American democracy is under serious threat.
Why our GDP is going nowhere
Near-zero economic growth is a good sign of how bad things are, says Greg Jericho.
How Australia created a housing crisis (and what we can do to fix it)
Australia is in the midst of a housing crisis, fuelled by poor government policy.
May 2024
Walking the inflation tightrope
Inflation isn’t falling as fast as most economists want, but a rate rise now would do more harm than good, says Greg Jericho.
The Fight to Free Assange
It’s been 12 years since Julian Assange has been free – but is the fight to keep him from a life in an American prison finally coming to an end? United States President Joe Biden told reporters he’s considering Australia’s request to drop charges against Assange for publishing thousands of sensitive military and government documents,
Poverty is a policy choice
According to the Productivity Commission, wealth inequality declined during the COVID years due to boosted government support payments. And when those payments finished, predictably inequality went back up. The overwhelming majority of gains from economic growth since the GFC have gone to the wealthiest people. On this episode, Greg Jericho discusses inequality, poverty, and government
Jess Hill on the Domestic Violence Crisis
A series of recent high-profile incidents has thrust the national crisis of domestic violence into the spotlight. Clearly the current approach to violence against women isn’t working, so what can be done? 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video
The budget and why your wages are lagging 14 years behind
The pandemic and runaway inflation reversed more than a decade of progress on living standards in just two years – and it’s going to be a long wait for them to inch back, says Greg Jericho.
Budget 2024: what you need to know
Budget 2024 had a little bit for a lot of people, but in trying to please everyone, has the government disappointed everyone instead?
We. Do. Not. Need. A. Recession.
Calling for a ‘short recession’ as an economist is like calling for a ‘small war’ knowing you’ll never be on the frontlines, says Greg Jericho.
The budget vs inflation
Millions of Australians are struggling to make ends meet, yet when it comes to the federal budget, too often we hear that governments ‘can’t afford’ additional spending.
JobSeeker drags people into poverty, but the government could fix this today
Budgets are about choices – and successive governments have chosen to punish jobseekers, says Greg Jericho.
Australia’s state-sponsored greenwashing
It’s going to be difficult to tackle bogus environmental claims from the private sector until the government itself stops greenwashing, argues Polly Hemming on this episode of Follow the Money.
April 2024
What the HECS?
Annual inflation is on the way down, but rents remain high and many people’s higher education loans are growing, even after repayments, says Greg Jericho.
The Knitting Nannas redefining the face of activism
As the government shelves important reform to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, the Knitting Nannas are getting out into their communities and demanding an end to fossil fuel projects.
Backing the renewable horse
The government is under fire for trying to ‘pick winners’, but green manufacturing could be the pony to get behind, says Greg Jericho.
Making freedom of information “sexy” with Rex Patrick
Freedom of Information laws have helped the public uncover information governments would prefer to keep secret, but the system is failing.
The market expects rates to fall – but that may be optimistic
Greg Jericho discusses the decisions facing the Reserve Bank in coming months and a new report showing that rate rises hurt Australians more than anyone in the world.
Not seeing the koalas for the carbon credits
Rather than delivering on their election promise to create a Great Koala National Park, the New South Wales Government is sitting on its hands until it can earn carbon credits from forests.
The big budget con
The budget balance usually steals the headlines on budget night, but it’s not that important, says Greg Jericho.
Minority retort
The major parties claim that minority and coalition governments are chaotic and unworkable, but are they actually more effective?
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