Follow The Money

Latest Episodes:

Nordic Talks: A plus or F minus? Educational Equity in Finland and Australia [Webinar] Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

More than a decade after the Gonski review into Australia’s school funding aimed to reduce the impact of social disadvantage on educational outcomes, educational outcomes for Australian schoolchildren are getting worse. The success of Finnish educational outcomes shows that equity drives excellence for all students.

This is one of a five-part special series of Follow the Money presented by the Nordic Talks series, presented by the Nordic Policy Centre at the Australia Institute, with support from The Nordics, a project under The Nordic Council of Ministers.

#NordicTalks #auspol

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guests:

Pasi Sahlberg, Professor of Education, Southern Cross University // @pasi_sahlberg

Correna Haythorpe, Federal President, Australian Education Union // @CHaythorpeAEU

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

Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey

Edited by: Emily Perkins

Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nordic Talks: Pedalling Health – Healthy and sustainable cities in Denmark and Australia [Webinar] Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

In Denmark, the bicycle has been recognised as a fast, efficient, and sustainable mode of transportation for decades, and the key to more liveable cities and happy, healthy people – supported by a network of safe cycling infrastructure and a positive cycle culture as part of healthy urban design which also means fewer food deserts.

In this discussion, we will explore how Australia could move closer to Danish cycle culture and healthier design of cities, to not only improve the health of the planet, but the people on it.

#NordicTalks #auspol

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guests:

Marianne Weinreich, Market Manager, Ramboll Smart Mobility; Chair, Cycling Embassy of Denmark // @mobimaw

Dr Sandro Demaio, Chief Executive Officer, VicHealth // @SandroDemaio

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

Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey

Edited by: Emily Perkins

Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nordic Talks: The Role of First Nations Communities in the Clean Energy Transition [Webinar] Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Australia has all the ingredients for a green industrial revolution; abundant rare minerals, plentiful wind and sun, manufacturing capabilities, while Sweden is a global leader in green industry practices and production.

But how can First Nations communities participate in the clean energy transition?

This talk will unpack how Sweden and Australia can better balance the competing interests between the ‘green gold rush’ and the interests of First Nations communities.

#NordicTalks #auspol

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guests:

Jenny Wik Karlsson, CEO & Senior legal adviser at Sámiid Riikasearvi (National Association of Sámi in Sweden)

Chris Croker, Managing Director, Impact Investment Partners and First Nations Clean Energy Network Steering Group

Rod Campbell, research director at the Australia Institute // @R_o_d_C

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

Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey

Edited by: Emily Perkins

Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nordic Talks: Breaking the ice ceiling: Gender equality in Iceland and Australia [Webinar] Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Iceland’s outstanding levels of gender equality have been achieved through policies such as extensive paid parental leave, including an emphasis on fathers using paid parental leave.

This emphasis on paternity leave is one important reason that Iceland is frequently ranked as the leader among all the Nordic nations – and thus the world leader – in terms of gender equality.

Join us to explore the lessons Australia can learn from Iceland to improve gender equality.

#NordicTalks #auspol

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guests:

Dr Marian Baird, Professor of Gender and Employment Relations, University of Sydney Business School

Ásdís Arnalds, Director of the Social Science Research Institute at the University of Iceland

Emeritus Professor Andrew Scott, Convenor at The Australia Institute’s Nordic Policy Centre // @ascottnlights

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

Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey

Edited by: Emily Perkins

Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nordic Talks: The Value of a Free Press [Webinar] Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Norway is number one the World Press Freedom Index, while Australia dropped 14 places in 2022 due in part to its highly concentrated media landscape.

This webinar, the second of our special Nordic Talks webinar series, will explore how Norway’s targeted ‘press support’ subsidies could help Australia to achieve greater diversity in its highly concentrated media landscape and improve its protections for public interest journalism. And what can Norway learn from Australia’s world-leading News Media Bargaining Code about regulating Big Tech platforms such as Google and Facebook?

#NordicTalks #auspol

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guests:

Professor Eli Skogerbø, Co-director of POLKOM – Center for the Study of Political Communication

Dr Maria Rae, Senior Lecturer in Politics and Policy, Deakin University// @MariaRae17

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

Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey

Edited by: Emily Perkins

Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thomas Mayo & Kerry O'Brien on the Voice to Parliament Handbook Jun 14, 2023

Show notes

The Voice to Parliament Handbook by Indigenous leader Thomas Mayo and acclaimed journalist Kerry O’Brien is a clear, concise and simple guide for the millions of Australians who have expressed support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, but who want to better understand what a Voice to Parliament actually means.

This was recorded on Monday 5th June 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guests:

Thomas Mayo, Author and National Indigenous Officer of the MUA // @thomasmayo23

Kerry O'Brien, Journalist and author // @KerryOBrien

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

Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey

Edited by: Emily Perkins

Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Profits v Wages, what's driving inflation? Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

Australians have been experiencing a dramatic rise in the cost of living thanks to inflation. While the business sector was quick to blame wages for rising inflation, the Australia Institute and the Center for Future Work took a look at the data, and it told a very different story.

This was recorded on Monday 5th June 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guest:

Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI

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

Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey

Edited by: Emily Perkins

Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Modi, the Quad, and the latest on AUKUS May 25, 2023

Show notes

From Narendra Modi's recent visit, to the cancelled Quad summit meeting, to new developments in the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement, it's been a busy few weeks in international relations news for Australia.

This was recorded on Wednesday 25th May 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guest:

Allan Behm, Director, International & Security Affairs Program, the Australia Institute // @Mirandaprorsus

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

Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey

Edited by: Emily Perkins

Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

PwC Scandal Reveals Problem with Consulting Firms May 16, 2023

Show notes

The Australian government spends a billion dollars or more each year on consulting firms to complete necessary work, often involving confidential information. But a recent scandal at PricewaterhouseCooper has racked the consulting industry, undermining public trust in the system.

This was recorded on Tuesday 16th May 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guest:

Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability Program, the Australia Institute // @Browne90

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

Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey

Edited by: Emily Perkins

Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bread and Surpluses: What you need to know about the Budget [Webinar] May 11, 2023

Show notes

The Albanese Government has handed down its 2023-24 Federal Budget, and it contains positive measures like a 15% pay rise for aged care workers, the minimal increases to welfare, and deferral of any change to the Stage 3 tax cuts, confirm that change is going to be incremental and slow.

This was recorded on Wednesday 10th May 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guests:

Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI

Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @MattGrudnoff

Eliza Littleton, Senior Economist, Centre for Future Work, the Australia Institute // @ElizaLittleton

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

Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey

Edited by: Emily Perkins

Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.