Government still ignoring climate reality

featuring Richard Denniss and Ebony Bennett
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen speak to media during a press conference in Sydney, Thursday, September 18, 2025.
AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts

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One and a half million Australians could be at risk from rising sea levels, yet the Government continues to approve new climate destroying fossil fuel projects.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the National Climate Risk Assessment, the Government’s new emissions reduction targets, and its disastrous decision to approve the North West Shelf gas expansion.

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Labor’s 62 to 70% climate target does not align with the science, but can be met by phasing out fossil fuels, the Australia Institute (September 2025)

Devastating climate risk assessment shows fossil fuel exports must end, the Australia Institute (September 2025)

North West Shelf final approval a climate, economic and energy security disaster, the Australia Institute (September 2025)

Anote Tong & Dr Monique Ryan MP | Melbourne, the Australia Institute on YouTube (March 2024)

Albanese takes his usual each-way bet on climate change by Ross Gittens (September 2025)

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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