Dollars & Sense

The latest data shows that economy is really struggling and the Reserve Bank got it wrong (again). Plus: TACO corner. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the latest quarterly GDP figures, why the above-inflation increase to minimum and award wages is a good thing, and the latest from Tariffland. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 5 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: The good news? Household living standards are on the rise. The bad news? Just about everything else by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (June 2025) The continuing irrelevance of minimum wages to future inflation by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (April 2025) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rate cuts are great, but the Government needs to make sure that housing investors aren’t the main beneficiaries. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Matt Grudnoff joins Elinor to discuss how the Government could help first home-buyers by restricting the ability of investors to borrow, what the fuss is about ‘unrealised gains’, and why the Government’s proposed superannuation tax changes are “a good first step.” This discussion was recorded on Thursday 29 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order After America: Australia and the new world order or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better. Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: A simple reform to help owner-occupiers compete with investors in the housing market by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (May 2025) The super tax debate is divorced from reality – and more proof that Australia’s tax system is built for the rich by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2025) Super hysterical: the ludicrous beat-up over superannuation tax changes, Follow the Money (May 2025) Macro reforms for housing affordability by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (May 2025) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s won and done. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg explains why Australia has won the fight against inflation, complains about the RBA a bit, and appraises latest gender pay gap data. Plus: air horns! This discussion was recorded on Thursday 22 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order After America: Australia and the new world order or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: ‘You would think after nearly three years of being wrong, the RBA might start to question its economics. But no’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 202 5) The Continuing Irrelevance of Minimum Wages to Future Inflation by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (April 2025) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For housing affordability to improve, wages must grow faster than house prices. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Elinor returns to discover the economy does in fact still exist, before her and Greg discuss the latest wage data, house prices and Trump blinking on his China tariffs. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 15 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: ‘Australia’s wage growth remains solid. But now the recovery needs to be sustained’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2025) Economist busts myths on QandA | Richard Denniss highlights, the Australia Institute (April 2025) It’s impossible to be single and save for a deposit in Sydney – no matter how good your job is by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (April 2025) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the election, the re-elected Labor Government has an extraordinary opportunity to make big structural changes to the economy. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Hayden discuss the election result, Trump’s Hollywood tariffs, and what retail spending figures reveal about the state of economy. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 8 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut Host: Hayden Starr, Digital Media Manager, the Australia Institute // @haydenstarr Show notes: ‘The Reserve Bank played it safe and didn’t cut interest rates in April – and households suffer’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2025) Raising revenue right: Better tax ideas for the 48th Parliament by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss the latest inflation data and answer your questions about the economy ahead of election day. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss bracket creep, tariffs and the Aussie dollar, and the great silence about revenue in the federal election campaign. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 1 May 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Watch the Australia Institute’s Election Night Live on YouTube, Facebook or our website. Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: ‘By getting tangled up on inflation and exaggerating numbers, Peter Dutton has blown the opportunity he was handed’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2025) Raising revenue right: Better tax ideas for the 48th Parliament by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025) Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia 2025 by Matt Grudnoff and Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (March 2025) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For all the talk of defence spending in the election campaign, much of what Australians hold dear is being left behind. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the Coalition’s defence spending announcement, why Australia needs bravery from policymakers, and the latest debate between Jim Chalmers and Angus Taylor. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 24 April 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Follow all the action from the federal election on our new politics live blog, Australia Institute Live with Amy Remeikis. Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: ‘Australia needs more than hollow words about a fair go – we need brave policy-makers’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2025) ‘The Coalition’s defence plans are a kneejerk, impossible dream when what we need is achievable policy’ by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (April 2025) The national service scheme, 1964-72, Australian War Memorial Protect Murujuga Rock Art: Sign the petition, the Australia Institute End salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour—protect the skate, the Australia Institute Gas: The Facts , the Australia Institute 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A number of the housing policy proposals on offer in this election will make affordability worse. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the second leaders’ debate, the major parties’ housing policy announcements, and the two big elephants in the room: negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 17 April 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Follow all the action from the federal election on our new politics live blog, Australia Institute Live with Amy Remeikis. Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: ‘Excuse my cynicism, but after 25 years of the same housing policies, could Australian leaders try something else?’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2025) Housing affordability crisis – Saving for a deposit forever by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025) Restoring public sector capability through investment in public service employees by Lisa Heap, the Centre for Future Work (February 2025) Climate crisis escalates cost-of-living pressures by Jack Thrower, the Australia Institute (February 2025) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s chaos out there. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss Trump’s tariff turmoil, the dodgy numbers doing the rounds in the election campaign, and the Coalition’s big fund boondoggle. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 10 April 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Follow all the action from the federal election on our new politics live blog, Australia Institute Live with Amy Remeikis. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: ‘Trump’s tariffs could push Australia into recession town. So why is the RBA waiting until May to meet?’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2025) ‘The Liberal Party’s proposed funds are just boondoggles of budgetary make believe’ by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (April 2025) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Americans are going to bear the brunt of Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Hayden discuss Trump’s tariffs, the Reserve Bank’s magic 8-ball monetary policy, and why minimum wage increases don’t drive up inflation. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 3 April 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut Host: Hayden Starr, Digital Media Manager, the Australia Institute // @haydenstarr Show notes: Australia Institute Live from Amy Remeikis ‘You never know what you’re gonna get: Australians will have to wait until after the election to see if there’s an interest rate cut’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2025) ‘Trump Set to Push Ahead With Tariffs—as His Polling and Stock Market Tumble’ by Brian Bennett, TIME (April 2025) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.