Follow The Money

Latest Episodes:

Funding our own Destruction May 04, 2023

Show notes

Despite fossil fuel usage contributing to the destruction of our climate, the Australian government still hands out billions every year in fossil fuel subsidies. But where is the money going, and how much is being spent exactly?

This was recorded on Tuesday 2nd May 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guests:

Rod Campbell, Research Director, 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.

The Housing Crisis Apr 27, 2023

Show notes

Australia’s housing crisis is only getting worse, and our social housing shortfall has ballooned to 500,000 and rent is skyrocketing. So how did we get here, and what can be done?

This episode is a live recording from the Australia Institute's Politics in the Pub series.

This was recorded on Wednesday 19th April 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guests:

Greg Jericho, Policy Director, Centre for Future Work, the Australia Institute // @GrogsGamut

Maiy Azize, spokesperson for Everybody’s Home, Deputy Director of Anglicare Australia, Fellow at the Australian Basic Income Lab // @MaiyAzize

Joel Dignam, Executive Director of Better Renting // @JoelDignam

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.

The Great Gas Rip-off Apr 19, 2023

Show notes

The PRRT, or Petroleum Resource Rent Tax, is a tax on profits of petroleum products, including crude oil and petroleum gas. But through accounting tricks and loopholes, gas corporations are avoiding paying their fair share of tax.

Research mentioned: https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/reforming-the-petroleum-resource-rent-tax/

This was recorded on Monday 19th April 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.

The economy's still growing, so why does it feel like you're falling behind? Apr 12, 2023

Show notes

No, it's not just inflation. Since the GFC, there has been a radical reversal in who benefits from economic growth. Back in the 1950s, the bottom 90% of income earners enjoyed around 90% of the benefits of the economic growth, but not anymore. So what has happened?

This was recorded on Tuesday 11th April 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guest:

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

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.

Aston By-election Explained Apr 05, 2023

Show notes

The recent by-election in Aston was historic, with Labor candidate Mary Doyle claiming victory. But what can we learn from these results? Political analyst Kos Samaras joins the podcast to explain.

This was recorded on Tuesday 4th March 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guest:

Kos Samaras, Political Analyst, Director at RedBridge Group Australia // @KosSamaras

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.

Safeguard Mechanism: Everything You Need to Know Mar 29, 2023

Show notes

On Monday, Greens leader Adam Bandt announced that a deal had been reached with the government to pass Safeguard Mechanism with some key amendments.

Richard Denniss is just back from Parliament House to help explain the deal and what it means for Australia’s emissions.

This was recorded on Monday 27th March 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.

Final Warning Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, just released a report with a a very clear message; there is a rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all. One of the key messages in the report is that new fossil fuel projects are incompatible with a net zero target, a message which lies in stark contrast with the Labor government’s Safeguard Mechanism bill which is currently before Parliament.

This was recorded on Tuesday 21st March 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guest:

Polly Hemming, Climate & Energy Program Director, the Australia Institute // @pollyjhemming

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.

"The Worst Deal in All History" Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

The Federal Government's recent announcement that the AUKUS deal will cost an eye-watering $368 billion sent the media into a spin, with former PM Paul Keating calling it 'the worst deal in all history." The deal to acquire nuclear submarines from the United States has been a bumpy process, to say the least. But what will we actually get out of the deal, and will it be worth it?

This was recorded on Wednesday 15th March 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Guest:

Allan Behm, International & Security Affairs Director, 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.

Super Expensive, Super Unfair Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

Superannuation is supposed to help us save for our retirement, and tax concessions on super are meant to reduce the burden on the government to fund our retirement through the age pension. But what are these concessions, and are they really working in the way they are intended to? To help explain, we're talking to the Australia Institute's Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff, and Senior Research Fellow, Dave Richardson.

This was recorded on Tuesday 7th March 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Speakers:

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

Dave Richardson, Senior Research Fellow, the Australia Institute // @daverr01

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.

Interest Rates are Sky-High, Who's to Blame? Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

Australians are doing it tough at the moment, with cost of living soaring, real wages falling at a record pace, and the RBA’s nine back-to-back interest rate rises only making things harder, all in the name of reducing inflation. Some commentators are warning of a ‘wage price spiral’. But what is really driving inflation?

This week we're speaking to Policy Director at the Centre for Future Work and economist Greg Jericho, to learn what exactly is to blame.

This was recorded on Tuesday 28th February 2023 and things may have changed since recording.

The Australia Institute // @theausinstitute

Speaker:

Greg Jericho, Policy Director, Climate & Energy Program, the Australia Institute // @GrogsGamut

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected