Gary Stevenson on wealth inequality and the rise of the far-right

The far-right are benefitting from a failing status quo – but it doesn’t have to be this way.
On this episode of Follow the Money, author and economist Gary Stevenson joins Ebony Bennett to discuss wealth inequality, the global issue of housing unaffordability, why Australia should tax gas properly, and how many far-right parties have become the Steven Bradburys of global politics.
This episode was recorded on Thursday 26 February.
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Guest: Gary Stevenson, economist and author of The Trading Game // @garyseconomics
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
Tax: Beer drinkers vs gas companies by Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
Killing the Australian Dream: The failure of the capital gains tax discount by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
Photo: The White House/Flickr (U.S. Government work)
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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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