
The Economy, Stupid
Formerly The Money, The Economy, Stupid is your weekly guide to the world of business, economics and finance. Every Thursday, economist Peter Martin is joined by a team of sharp young thinkers for a fresh conversation about the financial stories making headlines and how they might affect you.
Latest episodes

Apr 24, 2025 • 29min
What exactly is a recession?
It's more than job losses. It's dreams deferred and careers that never get off the ground. Why do the scars last a lifetime?Then, why does the Justice Department want to break up Google? Plus, penalty rates are under the spotlight again, but do they really cost the economy jobs? Guests:Dan Ziffer - ABC national business reporter Rachel Clayton - Business reporterGet in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming theeconomy.stupid@abc.net.au or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

Apr 17, 2025 • 29min
TikTok vs Louis Vuitton: How China's revenge tariffs are crashing the luxury market
What do luxury handbags and kids’ colouring books have in common? They're both caught up in the latest economic crossfire. Then, we unpack the economic chaos of an election campaign full of promises, including a $1,000 no-questions-asked tax deduction. Plus, Australia’s very own Future Fund fantasies: who's really winning, and are you one of them?Guests:Megan Flamer - Innovation specialist with Monash Business School Emilia Terzon - ABC national business reporterGet in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming theeconomy.stupid@abc.net.au or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

Apr 10, 2025 • 29min
Has Trump put my financial future at risk?
Super falling. Mortgage stress rising. Retirement plans, once solid, now blurred by uncertainty. There is an anxiety currently shaking Australian financial confidence. We unpack what Trump's latest tariffs mean for your financial future, and how to steady the ship in turbulent times.Guests:Nicki Hutley - Independent economistMichael Janda - ABC Business editor Get in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming theeconomy.stupid@abc.net.au or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

Apr 3, 2025 • 29min
Liberation Day fallout: How Trump's tariffs will hit Australia
President Trump is promising more than the world has ever seen. What impact will the US tariff move have on Australian producers, businesses, shoppers, and the broader economic landscape?

Mar 27, 2025 • 29min
The election budget: would you rather a cut in tax (albeit small) or a year of cheaper petrol?
The budget week that began with an unexpected tax cut has evolved into a debate about what we pay at the pump. What's better for you in the long run?

Mar 20, 2025 • 29min
Australians spend more on beer than power – so why do electricity bills hurt more?
Electricity makes up a smaller slice of household spending than beer or takeaway – yet power bills spark outrage like nothing else. With prices set to jump 30%, is the government trapped in an endless cycle of rebates? Plus, a restaurant collapse leaves workers unpaid, exposing a major flaw in Australia’s wage safety net. Meanwhile, cash is dying, and the Reserve Bank says it might not last another decade. Will you still be using it in 10 years? Emilia Terzon - ABC national business reporter James Eyres - Banking and payments writer, the Australian Financial Review, Get in touch:We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming theeconomy.stupid@abc.net.au or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

Mar 13, 2025 • 30min
A changed world: What's Australia's new reality in Trump's economic gamble?
The US and Australian markets are in freefall, and now we face steep tariffs on steel and aluminium. That’s right, no special treatment for us down under!

Mar 6, 2025 • 29min
Cyclone Alfred could boost the next GDP figure. Here’s why the numbers don’t add up
Why destruction isn't counted against GDP, but the replacement is.

Feb 27, 2025 • 29min
A deal with god: is super annuity the answer?
Your super is funding U.S roads and data centres. Is it simply, too big for Australia?

Feb 20, 2025 • 29min
The RBA’s rate cut: a quick fix or a band-aid? How it affects you and why there might not be more to come
The RBA dropped interest rates this week - smart move? Or is the RBA kicking the financial can down the road? Plus, the South Australian government has forced the Whyalla Steelworks into administration. Then, the economic fallout of the family trust trial.
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