Senator Nick McKim joins us to discuss the ACCC legal action against Coles and Woolworths and why the government should have the power to break up the Big Two. On this episode of Follow the Money, Greens Senator Nick McKim, Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Grocery Prices, joins us to discuss regulating the major supermarkets and his famous grilling of the former Woolies CEO. 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. This discussion was recorded live on Tuesday 1 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Senator Nick McKim, Greens Economic Justice and Treasury Spokesperson and Senator for Tasmania // @NickMcKim Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: ‘ACCC Suing Supermarkets as Price Gouging Drives Inflation, Rate Hikes’, The Australia Institute (September 2024) ‘Coles, Woolies’ Secret Pricing Deal Undercuts Inflation Claims’, The Australia Institute (September 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.

By relying on uncertain and unethical carbon offsets to combat the climate crisis, society is setting itself on a path to destruction, George Monbiot says. On this episode of Follow the Money, George Monbiot, Guardian columnist and co-author of The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism, joins the Australia Institute’s Polly Hemming to discuss the impact of neoliberalism on our climate, the folly of carbon offsets, and why “bollocks” incrementalism won’t lead to systemic change. 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. This discussion was recorded live on Thursday 19 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: George Monbiot, author, columnist and environmental campaigner // @GeorgeMonbiot Host: Polly Hemming, Climate & Energy Director, the Australia Institute // @pollyjhemming Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism by Peter Hutchison and George Monbiot (June 2024) Coal Mine Tracker, The Australia Institute ‘Coal Mine Approvals Undermine Climate Goals, Government Rhetoric’, The Australia Institute (September 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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 mining industry had a pre-election sook last week about government policy, but its claims about being the ‘backbone’ of the economy are more spin than substance. On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to discuss mining’s latest PR offensive and why politicians shouldn’t fear standing up to the industry. 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. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 17 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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 Reserve Bank is home to the experts on monetary policy – but what happens when they get it wrong? On this episode of Follow the Money, Greg Jericho and Matt Grudnoff join Ebony Bennett to discuss the latest GDP figures, the real drivers of inflation and how the Reserve Bank misread the state of the economy. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 10 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @GrogsGamut Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @MattGrudnoff Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.

Mark Kenny joins us to discuss the government’s census own goal and Australia’s flagging economy. On this episode of Follow the Money, Ebony Bennett discusses the latest in federal politics with Professor Mark Kenny, former Chief Political Correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Canberra Times. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 3 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Mark Kenny, Director, ANU Australian Studies Institute // @markgkenny Host: Ebony Bennett, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: 'The PM can ill-afford bad weeks as narratives harden' by Mark Kenny, The Canberra Times (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: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.

On this episode, we discuss regulating the digital giants, the challenge of artificial intelligence and restoring trust in the media. The media industry has changed radically over the last three decades, transformed by the 24-hour news cycle, social media and the tech giants, and now artificial intelligence. On this special episode of Follow the Money, recorded live at Politics in the Pub in Canberra, Minister Ed Husic, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Karen Percy from the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) discuss technology, trust and the future of the media. This discussion was recorded live on Wednesday 21 August 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: The Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science Guest: Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens Arts & Communications spokesperson // @sarahinthesen8 Guest: Karen Percy, Federal President (Media), Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) // @PercyKaren Host: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.

Australia’s flawed tax system means that there’s never been a better time to be ultra-wealthy in Australia, despite some people struggling to put food on the table. We’re told it’s a cost-of-living crisis, but not everyone is feeling the pinch. New Australia Institute research shows that the ultra-rich are getting richer, thanks in part to Australia’s distorted tax system. On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Richard Denniss and Dave Richardson join Dr Alice Grundy to discuss the growing problem of inequality and what we can do to fix it. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 20 August 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Guest: David Richardson, Senior Research Fellow, the Australia Institute // @daverr01 Host: Alice Grundy, Anne Kantor Research Manager, the Australia Institute // @alicektg Show notes: Wealth and inequality in Australia by David Richardson and Frank Stilwell, the Australia Institute (August 2024) ‘The Morrison election: What we know now’ by Richard Denniss, The Monthly (June 2019) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz joins us to discuss how to create a fairer, freer society and the “fertile field” neoliberalism has created for demagogues. Columbia University Professor and former World Bank Chief Economist Joseph E Stiglitz joins Ebony Bennet on this episode of Follow the Money to discuss inequality and the rise of Trump, Australia’s “environmental deficit” and his new book, The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 13 August 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize-winning economist // @JosephEStiglitz Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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 engaging discussion, veteran journalist Paul Bongiorno delves into the pressing issues shaping federal politics. He analyzes the cabinet reshuffle and the challenges facing the new minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke. The conversation highlights the decline in public housing and its impact on social cohesion, as well as the rising tensions linked to immigration. Bongiorno also touches on economic pressures, exploring how they affect public sentiment and upcoming electoral dynamics. It's a thought-provoking look at Australia's political landscape.

Super tax concessions make inequality worse and are at risk of becoming more expensive than the aged pension. Superannuation tax concessions are meant to encourage saving for retirement, but the system is being gamed to help the wealthiest avoid paying tax. Australia Institute Chief Economist Greg Jericho joins Ebony Bennett on this episode of Follow the Money to bust some super myths and discuss what a fairer system should look like. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 30 July 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @GrogsGamut Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: ‘Who benefits? The high cost of super tax concessions’ by Minh Ngoc Le (June 2024) ‘Superannuation tax concessions are making inequality worse’ by Greg Jericho (July 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions You can see Professor Joseph E Stiglitz speak live in several cities across Australia as part of the Australia Institute’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Tickets are available via our website. 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.