Dollars & Sense

Private health insurance is getting more expensive and covering less – it’s time for a major rethink, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the big structural problems with Australia’s private health insurance system and why public services like healthcare are best carried out by the public sector. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia. Each week on Dollars & Sense, Greg dives into the latest economic figures to explain what they can tell us about what’s happening in the economy, how it will impact you and where things are headed. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @GrogsGamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @ElinorJ_L Show notes: ‘Is private health insurance a con? The answer is in the graphs’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2018) What would Trump 2.0 mean for the global economy?, Dollars & Sense, the Australia Institute (July 2024) Imports are for LOSERS! Trump’s ‘America first’ economics, Dollars & Sense, the Australia Institute (July 2024) After America, 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.

From the number of retirees experiencing poverty to the lack of competition in the banking system, the state of Australia’s economy leaves a lot to be desired, says Greg Jericho. On the 50th episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss nuclear power furphies, the latest inflation data and how much the big four banks are profiting from home loans. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia. Each week on Dollars & Sense, Greg dives into the latest economic figures to explain what they can tell us about what’s happening in the economy, how it will impact you and where things are headed. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @GrogsGamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @ElinorJ_L Show notes: ‘Labor’s actions to lower inflation have worked – so why is the RBA unlikely to cut interest rates next week?’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (October 2024) Profit in home lending, the Australia Institute (October 2024) Reducing poverty in retirement: the pension systems of Australia, Sweden and Norway, the Australia Institute (October 2024) Off-peak hot water in the 21st century: smarter load shifting in the NEM, the Australia Institute (August 2024) 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.

Record numbers of Australians are employed – that’s a great thing, despite what the interest rate doomers are telling you, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the Coalition’s new housing policy, the surveillance of workers and the latest unemployment data. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia. Each week on Dollars & Sense, Greg dives into the latest economic figures to explain what they can tell us about what’s happening in the economy, how it will impact you and where things are headed. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @GrogsGamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @ElinorJ_L Show notes: ‘Australia’s unemployment figures are a reason for joy – even if it means waiting for the next interest rate cut’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (October 2024) ‘‘Stop all time wasting’: Woolworths workers tracked and timed under new efficiency crackdown’ by Ariel Bogle, Guardian Australia (October 2024) No Blood – No Job: Australia’s privacy laws and workers’ rights by Lisa Heap, the Centre for Future Work (August 2024) 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.

Consumers are finding themselves caught beneath the landslide of hidden fees, surcharges and corporate price gouging, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the government’s crackdown on hidden fees, dynamic pricing and why reducing gender disparities can lead to better pay and fewer worker shortages. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia. Each week on Dollars & Sense, Greg dives into the latest economic figures to explain what they can tell us about what’s happening in the economy, how it will impact you and where things are headed. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @GrogsGamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @ElinorJ_L Show notes: ‘Here’s a way to fix Australia’s skills shortage – and raise wages at the same time’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (October 2024) The carnival is over: music festivals struggle as football roars by Morgan Harrington, the Australia Institute (October 2024) 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.

Corporate spin and complex markets distract from real solutions to Australia’s climate and biodiversity crisis, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Hayden discuss the government’s ‘Nature Positive’ summit, Australia’s housing debate, and a new push to end youth award rates. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia. Each week on Dollars & Sense, Greg dives into the latest economic figures to explain what they can tell us about what’s happening in the economy, how it will impact you and where things are headed. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @GrogsGamut Host: Hayden Starr, Digital Media Manager, the Australia Institute // @haydenthestarr Show notes: ‘On the climate crisis, housing and more, politicians avoid clarity because it demands action’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (October 2024) Video Report: The Carbon Credit Grift Destroying Koala Habitat, the Australia Institute (April 2024) Federal Intervention Required to Call Out Salmon Industry’s Unacceptable Impacts on Maugean Skate, the Australia Institute (February 2024) 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.

By choosing to extend three coal mines, the government could be inadvertently redirecting construction workers from building houses to the fossil fuel industry. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg explores the impact of the government’s coal mine extensions on the housing market and our climate. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia. Each week on Dollars & Sense, Greg dives into the latest economic figures to explain what they can tell us about what’s happening in the economy, how it will impact you and where things are headed. Join President José Ramos-Horta at 6pm AEDT, Tuesday 8 October for an evening of conversation at the Sydney Opera House, presented by the Australia Institute as part of its 30 Years of Big Ideas. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @GrogsGamut Host: Hayden Starr, Digital Media Manager, the Australia Institute // @haydenthestarr Show notes: ‘Plibersek’s coalmine decision is double trouble for climate and housing’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (October 2024) Coal Mine Tracker, 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.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and popular columnist, dives into potential reforms of negative gearing and capital gains tax. He argues that these changes could enhance fairness in the housing market. The conversation also touches on misleading pricing tactics by major supermarkets and how these issues intertwine with broader economic concerns, including inflation rates and housing affordability. Jericho emphasizes the need to shift perceptions of housing from investment to necessity.

Big business says wants a more productive economy, but its complaints about industrial relations are really about its profit margins, says Matt Grudnoff. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Australia Institute Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff and Research Fellow Adam Gottschalk discuss the spin around productivity and why paying workers more – not less – might hold the key to a more productive economy. Join President José Ramos-Horta at 6pm AEDT, Tuesday 8 October for an evening of conversation at the Sydney Opera House, presented by the Australia Institute as part of its 30 Years of Big Ideas. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @MattGrudnoff Host: Adam Gottschalk, Anne Kantor Research Fellow, the Australia Institute // @adamchalksitup 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.

Australia’s housing market is cooked and capping international student numbers isn’t going to fix it, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor talk about the government’s new international university student caps and the latest house price data. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia. Each week on Dollars & Sense, Greg dives into the latest economic figures to explain what they can tell us about what’s happening in the economy, how it will impact you and where things are headed. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @GrogsGamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @ElinorJ_L Show notes: Wealth and inequality in Australia by David Richardson and Frank Stilwell, the Australia Institute (August 2024) 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.

Australia’s “pathetic” growth figures show that the Reserve Bank went too hard with interest rate increases, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the latest GDP growth figures, how rate increases have damaged the economy and what might come next. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia. Each week on Dollars & Sense, Greg dives into the latest economic figures to explain what they can tell us about what’s happening in the economy, how it will impact you and where things are headed. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @GrogsGamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @ElinorJ_L Show notes: ‘Now the Australian economy is on its knees, will the RBA finally start cutting interest rates?’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (September 2024) Public spending keeps the economy going as the private sector is hit by rate rises by Matt Grudnoff, The Australia Institute (September 2024) 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.