Inflation soars, but it’s not as bad as it seems

featuring Greg Jericho and Elinor Johnston-Leek
A tram passes signage showing fuel prices at a petrol station in Melbourne, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The fuel excise will be halved for three months as a temporary cost-of-living measure, taking 26.3 cents a litre off the price at the pump. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING

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The big jump in the CPI has created some dramatic headlines, but digging just a bit deeper into the data reveals a different story. 

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the latest inflation figures, which are the first to include the impact of the war in Iran, and why the RBA should take a step back and look at all the data, before they meet to assess interest rates next week.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 30 April 2026.

Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek

Show notes:

Another RBA rate rise won’t fix inflation – it will just smash households already hit by soaring fuel costs, by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026)

Rate hikes won’t fix inflation caused by fuel prices, by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (April 2026)

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. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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