The Economy, Stupid

Pathways to net zero in the transport, agriculture and building sectors. Plus, despite falling crime rates, imprisonment in Australia is at a historic high. Are there alternatives to prison which can reduce costs without compromising community safety?Guests:Fiona Davis, Chief Executive Officer, Farmers for Climate ActionProfessor Deo Prasad, Built Environment, UNSWJane Hunter, CEO, TritiumStephen King, Commissioner, Productivity Commission

One of Australia's oldest philanthropic foundations marks 135 years of helping people in need. What has changed in that time? Plus, will inflation increases push up interest rates? And analysis of China's 2060 carbon neutral pledge.Guests:Sarah Hunter, Sarah Hunter, BIS Oxford EconomicsJorrit Gosens, Research Fellow, Centre for Climate and Energy Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy and founder of China Energy PortalStacey Thomas CEO, The Wyatt Trust

A report card of G20 countries' climate policies finds Australia is one of the least attractive green investment destinations. Hundreds of investors, who collectively manage more than US$46 trillion in assets are urging Australia to make deep emissions cuts this decade. Staying with climate, the Nationals say their support for net zero emissions will not be bought by "thirty pieces of silver", what might a net zero deal involve? Plus, last week's spending data in Sydney.Guests:Rebecca Mikula-Wright, CEO Investor Group on Climate ChangeNicki Hutley, economics spokesperson, The Climate CouncilLachlan Vass, economist, Accenture

America's inflation rate has risen to 5.4 per cent, reflecting shortages and higher prices for food, energy and housing. Are there implications for Australia? How Europe's Carbon Border Adjustments will affect Australian exporters and emissions. Plus, how the Nobel economics prize winners better estimated the effects of immigration and the minimum wage.Guests:Jason Murphy, economistTennant Reed, climate, energy and environment policy analyst, The Australian Industry GroupProfessor Richard Holden, Future Fellow, UNSW Business School

With Australia under pressure to commit to net zero emissions by 2050 before COP26, how would net zero affect the economy? How important are shorter term targets, legal obligations and policies to help deliver any promised cuts? Plus, what's happened to the predicted tsunami of business insolvencies? And, lessons from the Pandora Papers — calls to name and shame tax evaders, and end loopholes in anti-money laundering laws.Most of the states are already committed to net zero by 2050, a lot of Australian companies are as well. So if the Federal Government makes the same commitment, what difference would it make?Guests:Hugh Grossman, Executive Director, RepuTex EnergyNassim Khadem, business reporter, ABC NewsJohn Winter, Chief Executive, Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association

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, accounting for climate change — latest research on translating climate data into financial risk.Guests:David Mansfield, independent consultant, author of A State Built on Sand: How opium undermined Afghanistan @mansfieldintincDr Tanya Fielder, accounting lecturer, University of Sydney @TanyaFiedler

Australia's move to acquire nuclear-powered submarines and the scrapping its $90 billion submarine program with France has had diplomatic consequences – but what can be assumed about the costs, timeframes and local involvement? Plus, shipping costs, stock delays and supply chain stresses as the pandemic continues.Guests: Dr Marcus Hellyer, Senior Analyst specialising in defence economics and military capability, Australian Strategic Policy InstituteElizabeth Jackson, Senior Lecturer, Curtin University

Last year in the pandemic a lot of people withdrew their superannuation under the Early Release Scheme. For many, it was a lifeline to cover food, rent and pay down debt in case things got worse. For others, it was about replacing an ageing car, or trying to save or even start a business. And surprise, surprise, overall it's worked out worse for women than for men. Plus, cuckoo smurfing — what it is, how to spot it, how to make sure it doesn't happen to you.Guests:Shane Oliver, Chief Economist, AMP CapitalMelissa Birks, General Manager, Advocacy, The Australian Institute of Superannuation TrusteesGillian Kilgour, MetalSmiths Jewellery CollectiveTamika Hicks, Manager and Founder, Cardinia lakes Early Learning CentreMarcus Erikson, Director of Intelligence, AUSTRAC

Could we have a travel bubble with Singapore and what are the advantages of getting it done? Plus, the economic consequences of something that affects so many of us — loneliness. And the massive financial intelligence trove gained from the Trojan Shield sting against organised crime should leave convicted criminals "broke".Guests:Nathan Lynch, Asia-Pacific Manager, Regulatory Intelligence, Thomson ReutersClaryn Kung, Research Fellow, Monash University, Centre of Health EconomicsSimon Baptist, Chief Economist, The Economist Intelligence Unit

COVID disaster payments for Melbourne residents who are unable to work will be part of a new national scheme available to other states if lockdowns last for more than a week. The latest blow to Victoria's economy follows GDP figures which show that Australia's economy has bounced back from the pandemic recession. Plus, the economic costs of racism and Australian researchers find that business leaders are more optimistic about their company's profit outlook when the sun is shining - investors might want to check the weather forecast before making financial decisions.Guests:Danielle Wood, CEO, Grattan InstituteAssociate Professor Edward Podolski, Deakin University Business SchoolAmanuel Elias, Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University