The Economy, Stupid

What can the satirical film about a comet hurtling to earth teach us about economics?

The inequality of COVID-19 vaccinations is having a devasting affect on many developing countries. It is also costing the global economy in its trillions.

What do the recent economic indicators tell us about the state of our economy?

Meet an award winning, Aboriginal-owned construction and maintenance services business that’s part of the booming $4.8 billion Indigenous business sector. How the Nobel economics prize winners better estimated the effects of immigration and the minimum wage. Plus, the retail sector takes trust extremely seriously and is thinking about it in increasingly sophisticated ways.Guests: Gerard Matera, Director, building services company MarawarProfessor Michelle Evans, University of Melbourne Indigenous Business Research GroupProfessor Richard Holden, Future Fellow, UNSW Business SchoolProfessor Michael Roseman, Director, Centre for Future Enterprise, QUT

With tax income from lucrative trade routes and finance from countries such as China or Pakistan, how insulated are the Taliban from the western threat of sanctions and the freeze of international funds? Plus, opportunities for Australia's critical materials sector.Guests:David Mansfield, independent consultant, author of A State Built on Sand: How opium undermined Afghanistan @mansfieldintincJeffrey Wilson, Research Director, Perth USAsia Centre

Cuckoo smurfing — what it is, how to spot it, how to make sure it doesn't happen to you. An Australian philanthropic foundation marks 135 years of helping people in need. What has changed in that time? Plus, Australian researchers find that business leaders are more optimistic about their company's profit outlook when the sun is shiningGuests:Marcus Erikson, Director of Intelligence, AUSTRACStacey Thomas CEO, The Wyatt TrustAmanuel Elias, Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University

A blast from the past offers a possible answer to growing wealth inequality. Three economists put the case for the resurrection of inheritance taxes. Plus, how social change happens.GuestsSaul Eslake, Independent economistIan Raspin, Managing Director, BNR PartnersDanielle Wood, Chief Executive, Grattan InstituteDamon Centola, author of Change: How to make big things happen

The pandemic and subsequent economic crisis have shown how government is crucial for getting things done – like rolling out a vaccine or throwing the economy a lifeline. But what if the state aspired to do a lot more? Economist Mariana Mazzucato thinks that states need to rediscover grand ambition and in-house expertise to solve climate change and inequality. Plus, a look at the ups and downs of China's economy in 2021.Guests: Professor Mariana Mazzucato, Director, Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, University College London. Author of Mission Economy: A Moonshot Guide to Changing Capitalism (First broadcast 18/03/2021)Professor Jane Golley, Director, Australian Centre on China in the World, ANU

Ransomware attacks across Australia have become a major problem for business, causing massive disruptions and costing millions to remediate. Recent attacks against Victoria's public health system, the local facilities of meat supplier JBS foods, and Nine Entertainment are part of an underreported problem. Australia is considered a soft target for attacks – what can be done and what should we look out for?Guest: Abigail Bradshaw, Head Australian Cyber Security Centre Australian Signals Directorate