

Dollars & Sense
The Australia Institute
Economic data can tell us a lot about what's happening the economy and society, but it's easy to get lost in data. Dollars and Sense dives into the latest economic figures to explain how they impact you and what they tell us about the state of the Australian economy, with host Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 22, 2025 • 29min
Is the fight against inflation over?
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.

May 15, 2025 • 28min
The economy (it still exists)
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.

May 8, 2025 • 31min
If not now, when?
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.

May 1, 2025 • 30min
Your election questions answered
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.

Apr 24, 2025 • 24min
Defence: too much is never enough
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.

Apr 17, 2025 • 30min
Crushing the Australian (and Elinor's) dream
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.

Apr 10, 2025 • 36min
Actually though, what the hell is going on in the economy?
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.

Apr 3, 2025 • 34min
Trump's tariffs won't wreck Australia's economy. But America's could be cooked.
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.

Mar 27, 2025 • 35min
A Budget that does no harm (sort of)
This “wimpy” budget tells us one thing: the election campaign is here. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the Government’s tax cuts, the big missed opportunities in this Budget, and what it’s like inside ‘the lock-up’. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 27 March 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: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: ‘Labor’s budget tax cuts make good economic sense – and have backed Dutton and Taylor into a political corner’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2025) ‘Australia budget 2025: the seven graphs you need to see’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2025) 5 ways and 63 billion reasons to improve Australia’s tax system by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025) Budget briefing paper 2025-2026, Centre for Future Work (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.

Mar 20, 2025 • 33min
Greg's budget wishlist
The Australian Government can’t afford to do everything, but it can afford to do anything it wants. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor preview next week’s Federal Budget and why the Government doesn’t need to leave so much tax revenue on the table. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 20 March 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: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: 5 ways and 63 billion reasons to improve Australia’s tax system by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025) ‘Expect a lot of talk about Australia’s deficit, but remember the golden rule: budgets are always about choices’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (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.