

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

Oct 3, 2024 • 30min
The government’s coal approvals could make the housing crisis worse
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.

Sep 26, 2024 • 31min
Is the government gearing up for a housing change?
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.

Sep 19, 2024 • 23min
Profits over people
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.

Sep 12, 2024 • 22min
House prices aren't just cooked, they're deep fried
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.

Sep 5, 2024 • 30min
A putrid set of numbers
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.

Sep 3, 2024 • 37min
Middle, middle, middle class: Harris' pitch to the heartland
In this insightful discussion, Dr. Emma Shortis, a doctor and expert in economic agendas, and Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute, tackle the economic proposals of the Harris-Walz campaign. They delve into how these initiatives aim to empower the middle class, addressing inflation and price gouging to protect consumers. The duo also critiques past tax policies while exploring the potential impact of a wealth tax. They highlight the significance of the child tax credit and discuss the challenging political landscape affecting economic policy.

Aug 29, 2024 • 32min
Cashing in on a crisis
Super profits have driven up inflation, robbing all but the wealthiest Australians, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the Greens’ ‘Robin Hood’ tax proposal, post-pandemic profits and the latest inflation 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: ‘Unemployment is rising and Australia’s economy is weak – but don’t hit the recession alarm just yet’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (August 2024) A stronger PRRT cap: A fairer way to tax gas super profits by Greg Jericho, The Australia Institute War gains: LNG Windfall Profits 2022 by Mark Ogge, The Australia Institute (October 2022) Principles of a good tax: Evaluating our taxation choices by Matt Grudnoff, Greg Jericho and David Richardson, The Australia Institute (August 2021) 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.

Aug 22, 2024 • 28min
Pour one out for the big four banks
Australia’s big banks are among the most profitable in the world, so forcing them to compete is essential, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor get out the world’s tiniest violin for Australia’s big banks, who are finally having to compete to offer better mortgage rates, and discuss why three of the 'big four' are now offering less for term deposits. 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 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.

Aug 15, 2024 • 21min
Australians hate gambling ads, so why is the government tiptoeing around a ban?
A tax on the digital giants could be used to support free, public-interest journalism while implementing a total ban on gambling advertising, says Matt Grudnoff. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Australia Institute Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff and Elinor discuss the government’s gambling reforms and new research showing that the wealth of Australia’s richest 200 people nearly tripled over the last two decades. Each week on Dollars & Sense, we dive 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: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @MattGrudnoff Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @ElinorJ_L Show notes: 'Give Junk Food & Gambling Ads the Punt', The Australia Institute (2022) 'Wealth and inequality in Australia' by David Richardson and Frank Stilwell, The Australia Institute (2024) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions In Australia, Gambling Help Online is available on 1800 858 858. The National Debt Helpline is at 1800 007 007. 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.

Aug 8, 2024 • 26min
Rate expectations: will Australians get a rate cut for Christmas?
In this insightful discussion, Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute, delves into the potential for a rate cut this Christmas due to a slowing economy. He highlights the recent government decision to boost childcare workers' pay to address staffing shortages. The conversation also covers worries around housing affordability, making family planning challenging for many. Additionally, they analyze the recent slump in global stock markets and its implications for investors, emphasizing the need for calm amidst uncertainty.