Follow The Money

The Murujuga site in north-western Australia is potentially the most important rock art site in the world, but it’s being destroyed by rampant industrial development. On this episode of Follow the Money, Walkley Award-winning journalist Stephen Long and Elinor Johnston-Leek discuss the Federal Government’s decision to sign a provisional extension to Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project and the impact that will have on the irreplaceable Murujuga rock art. Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better. Host: Stephen Long, Stephen Long, Senior Fellow and Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute // @StephenLongAus Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: The fight to save Murujuga, the Australia Institute (May 2025) Gas export approval puts gas corporations before Australians, the Australia Institute (May 2025) 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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Superannuation is meant to help all Australians have a comfortable retirement, not help the very wealthiest pay less tax. On this episode of Follow the Money, Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute, joins Glenn Connley to discuss the government’s modest proposal to change the superannuation tax concessions and the bizarre backlash to the policy. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 28 May 2025 and things may have changed. Order After America: Australia and the new world order or become a foundation subscriber to our Vantage Point series and save 25% on the Australia Institute website. Guest: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: Don’t be fooled, only the very richest will ever have more than $3m in super by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (May 2025) The changes to superannuation tax concessions are needed and very fair by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (May 2025) 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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Great countries have great institutions, but Australian universities are a mess. On this episode of Follow the Money, the Australia Institute’s Joshua Black and Jack Thrower join Glenn Connley to discuss the enormous cost of going to university, the absurdity of university vice-chancellors being paid more than the Treasurer, and why the practice of using international students as a political football must end. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 20 May 2025 and things may have changed. Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to our Vantage Point series and save 25% on the Australia Institute website. Guest: Joshua Black, Postdoctoral Fellow, the Australia Institute // @joshuablackjbv Guest: Jack Thrower, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // ‪@jack-thrower Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: University is expensive, especially so for humanities students by Joshua Black and Jack Thrower (May 2025) While Uni Vice-Chancellors rake in millions, young researchers struggle to survive by Jack Thrower, the Australia Institute (February 2025) Elective spending at Australian universities by Joshua Black, the Australia Institute (April 2025) Reforming university governance in Australia by John Quiggin, the Australia Institute (April 2025) 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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the influence of the right-wing media waning, the Labor Government can use its massive majority to pursue big reforms. On this episode of Follow the Money, Stephen Long, Walkley Award-winning journalist and Australia Institute Contributing Editor, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the Murdoch press bogeyman, supporting the public broadcasters and the prospects for major, progressive reforms in the second Albanese term. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 13 May 2025 and things may have changed. Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to our Vantage Point series and save 25% via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow and Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute // @stephenlongaus Host: Ebony Bennet, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Worth a Punt – 2% Levy on Gambling Revenue Could Replace Free-To-Air Advertising Spend by Stephen Long and David Richardson, the Australia Institute (August 2024) Peter Dutton confirms excessive gas exports hurt Australia, the Australia Institute (March 2025) There is no such thing as a safe seat | Fact sheet, 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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this discussion, Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at the Australia Institute, and Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, explore the implications of Labor's recent electoral victory. They dissect the shifting political landscape, emphasizing the urgency of tackling Australia’s housing crisis and student debt. Both guests highlight the potential collaborations between Labor and the Greens, and the challenges the ruling party faces in fulfilling ambitious reforms while managing public expectations. Their insights reflect a pivotal moment in Australian politics.

The polls are pointing to a likely Labor victory on Saturday, but could Dutton’s suburban strategy still bear fruit? As election day approaches, former Fairfax Chief Political Correspondent Professor Mark Kenny joins Glenn Connley to discuss the performances of Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton on the campaign trail, plus Australians’ response to Trump’s return, on this episode of Follow the Money. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 29 April 2025 and things may have changed. Follow all the action from the federal election on our new politics live blog, Australia Institute Live with Amy Remeikis. Guest: Mark Kenny, Professor of Australian Studies and host of Democracy Sausage, the Australian National University // @markgkenny Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley Show notes: ‘Could Dutton's suburban strategy still work?’ by Mark Kenny, The Canberra Times (April 2025) Election entrée: Early voting in Australia by Skye Predavec, the Australia Institute (April 2025) Where do journalists live?, the Australia Institute (April 2025) Polling – President Trump, security and the US–Australian alliance, the Australia Institute (March 2025) Two-thirds of Australians refuse to pay more for nuclear: new research, the Australia Institute Power sharing in Australian parliaments, the Australia Institute (July 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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States is disappearing down an authoritarian rabbit hole and Australian leaders are struggling to respond. On this crossover episode of After America and Follow the Money, Ebony Bennett and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US administration’s mass deportations, the scandals surrounding the Departments of Defense and State, and why Australian democratic institutions are worth defending. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 22 April 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Polling – President Trump, security and the US–Australian alliance, the Australia Institute (March 2025) 'The Russians aren’t coming: Peter Dutton’s poor judgment distracts from Australia’s rare geopolitical opportunity' by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (April 2025) 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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne discuss the federal election campaign so far, the performance of the media, and how preferential voting actually works. On this episode of Follow the Money, the Australia Institute’s Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne join guest host Stephen Long to discuss housing policy, the Australian electoral system, and the need for truth in political advertising laws. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 15 April 2025 and things may have changed. Follow all the action from the federal election on our new politics live blog, Australia Institute Live with Amy Remeikis. Order 'After America: Australia and the new world order' or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store. Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // @amyremeikis Guest: Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability, the Australia Institute // @browne90 Host: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow & Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute // @stephenlongaus Show notes: Migrants are not to blame for soaring house prices by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (March 2025) Housing affordability crisis – Saving for a deposit forever by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025) Newspaper competition in Australia by Rod Campbell, Skye Predavec and Stephen Long, the Australia Institute (April 2025) Busting myths on Q+A | Richard Denniss highlights, the Australia Institute (April 2025) 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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Dutton has it half right on gas. There is no supply shortage, but Australians need to be using less gas – not more. On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Mark Ogge join Ebony Bennett to discuss the fixing Australia’s gas export problem, making gas companies pay their fair share in taxes and royalties, and why there is no need for new gas projects. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 8 April 2025 and things may have changed. Follow all the action from the federal election on our new politics live blog, Australia Institute Live with Amy Remeikis. Guest: Mark Ogge, Principal Advisor, the Australia Institute // @markogge Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Peter Dutton’s gas export tax is a good idea – and a turning point, the Australia Institute (April 2025) Giving away gas to 2030 by Mark Ogge, Rod Campbell and Matt Saunders, the Australia Institute (April 2025) Fossil fuel subsidies hit $15 billion, as crossbench seeks reform, the Australia Institute (March 2025) ‘Coalition pollster Freshwater Strategy working with 'astroturfing' pro-gas group’ by Pat McGrath and Kirsten Robb, ABC News (April 2025) 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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With housing affordability at an all-time low and the spectre of Trump looming large over our region, Australians’ standard of living will be at the heart of the debate from now until election day. On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute economists Matt Grudnoff and Jack Thrower join Ebony Bennett to discuss the Australian economy and the federal election campaign. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 1 April 2025 and things may have changed. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Guest: Jack Thrower, Research Economist, the Australia Institute // @jack-thrower Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Raising revenue right: Better tax ideas for the 48th Parliament by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025) Fuel excise cut: bad policy and not worth as much as advertised by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025) Housing affordability crisis – Saving for a deposit forever by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025) 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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.