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.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the end of Australia’s per capita recession, why the humble chickpea deserves some of the credit, and why DOGE is looking like a disaster for the American economy.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 6 March 2025 and things may have changed since recording.
Order What’s the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.
Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
‘The Reserve Bank should be looking at these numbers and wondering why it waited until February to act’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2025)
Briefing Paper: Restoring public sector capability through investment in public service employees by Lisa Heap, the Australia Institute (February 2025)
“A drowning memory”: the Pacific Island communities fighting for their survival, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (March 2025)
After America, the Australia Institute
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.
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