
Follow The Money
Economics and politics explained in plain English
Latest episodes

Jan 22, 2025 • 29min
"That's cooked": welcome to 2025
Richard Denniss joins the show to discuss Trump’s inauguration and the upcoming federal election. On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to examine the year ahead in federal politics and how the Trump presidency could impact Australia. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 21 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. australiainstitute.org.au // @australiainstitute Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: LA fires add to climate insurance crisis, the Australia Institute (January 2025) Rate cut already overdue: RBA should meet in January, the Australia Institute (December 2025) 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.

Jan 15, 2025 • 37min
Killing for Country with David Marr | Summer Book Club
David Marr discusses the frontier wars and the shocking family discovery that led to his award-winning book, Killing for Country. On this Summer Book Club episode of Follow the Money, renowned journalist and author David Marr joins Ebony Bennett to discuss Killing for Country, his award-winning account of politics and power in colonial Australia. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 24 January 2024 and things may have changed since recording. To join our free Australia’s Biggest Book Club webinars live, register via our website. Order the first book from our new imprint, What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. Guest: David Marr, journalist and author Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, The Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Killing for Country: A family story by David Marr, Black Inc. (October 2023) 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.

Jan 8, 2025 • 41min
The work with Bri Lee | Summer Book Club
Bri Lee, one of Australia’s most exciting young writers, joins us to discuss her debut novel, The Work, and the politics of power and privilege. On this Summer Book Club episode of Follow the Money, Bri Lee, the award-winning author of Eggshell Skull, Beauty and Who Gets to be Smart, joins us to discuss The Work, a stunning story of art, power, love and money. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 7 May 2024 and things may have changed since recording. 1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via their website. To join our free Australia’s Biggest Book Club webinars live, register via our website. Order the first book from our new imprint, What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Bri Lee, author of The Work // @bri_lee_writer Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, The Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: The Work by Bri Lee, Allen & Unwin (April 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.

Dec 31, 2024 • 34min
Bad cop with Lech Blaine | Summer Book Club
Award-winning writer Lech Blaine traces the making of Peter Dutton – from Queensland detective to leader of the Opposition. On this Summer Book Club episode of Follow the Money, Lech Blaine joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the rise of Peter Dutton, the evolution of the Liberal Party, and his Quarterly Essay, ‘Bad Cop: Peter Dutton's Strongman Politics’. This discussion was recorded on Friday 12 April 2024 and things may have changed since recording. To join our free Australia’s Biggest Book Club webinars live, register via our website. Order the first book from our new imprint, What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Lech Blaine, author of Australian Gospel, Top Blokes and Car Crash // @lechblaine Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, The Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: ‘Bad Cop: Peter Dutton's Strongman Politics’ by Lech Blaine, Quarterly Essay 93 (March 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.

Dec 25, 2024 • 36min
Highway to hell with Joëlle Gergis | Summer Book Club
Do Australians truly grasp the impact of a warming planet and what it could mean for our sunburnt country? On this Summer Book Club episode of Follow the Money, climate scientist and author Dr Joëlle Gergis joins The Australia Institute’s Polly Hemming to discuss Australia’s climate policy inertia and the impact of rising temperatures. This discussion was recorded on Friday 28 June 2024 and things may have changed since recording. To join our free Australia’s Biggest Book Club webinars live, register via our website. Order the first book from our new imprint, What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. Guest: Dr Joëlle Gergis, climate scientist and author // @joellegergis Host: Polly Hemming, Climate & Energy Director, The Australia Institute // @pollyjhemming Show notes: ‘Highway to Hell: Climate change and Australia’s future’ by Joëlle Gergis, Quarterly Essay 94 (June 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.

Dec 18, 2024 • 34min
Minority report with George Megalogenis | Summer Book Club
Australia’s status quo political culture is under pressure – so what does this mean for the upcoming federal election? On this Summer Book Club episode of Follow the Money, journalist and author George Megalogenis joins Alice Grundy to discuss the rise of independents and minor parties, Australia’s changing political landscape, and his latest Quarterly Essay, ‘Minority Report: The new shape of Australian politics’. This discussion was recorded on Friday 6 December 2024 and things may have changed since recording. To join our free Australia’s Biggest Book Club webinars live, register via our website. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. Guest: George Megalogenis, author and journalist // @GMegalogenis Host: Alice Grundy, Managing Editor, Australia Institute Press // @alicektg Show notes: ‘Minority Report: The new shape of Australian politics’ by George Megalogenis, Quarterly Essay 96 (November 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.

Dec 11, 2024 • 35min
Fixing Australia's housing crisis with Alan Kohler
Houses should be a place to live, not a ladder to wealth. On this episode of Follow the Money, acclaimed financial journalist Alan Kohler joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the policies that created Australia’s housing crisis and what governments can do to fix it. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 10 December 2024 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. australiainstitute.org.au // @australiainstitute Guest: Alan Kohler, author and journalist // @AlanKohler Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: The Great Divide: Australia's Housing Mess and How to Fix It by Alan Kohler (October 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.

Dec 4, 2024 • 40min
What's the point of Australia?
Amy Remeikis joins us to reflect on Anthony Albanese’s turbulent year as Prime Minister and preview the federal election campaign. On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute Chief Political Analyst Amy Remeikis joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the slings and arrows of the political year, why Australia doesn’t use its power on the international stage, and how next year’s federal election campaign is shaping up. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 3 December 2024 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. australiainstitute.org.au // @australiainstitute Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst // @amyremeikis Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett Show notes: Paul Fletcher – Why Majority Government is in the National Interest, and the Teals are not, The Sydney Institute (December 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.

Nov 27, 2024 • 21min
The major party stitch-up with Helen Haines
Independent MP Helen Haines joins us to talk about how a deal between the Government and the Opposition could swing Australia’s electoral laws in their favour. On this episode of Follow the Money, the Hon Helen Haines MP, Independent Member for Indi, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the Government’s Electoral Reform Bill, its potential impact on new and independent candidates, and the future of Australian democracy. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 26 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording. Sign the Australia Institute petition, calling on the Government to establish a parliamentary inquiry, with public hearings, to assess the proposed changes to Australia’s electoral laws. Pre-order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. Pre-order by 1 December and save $5 on the RRP. australiainstitute.org.au // @australiainstitute Guest: The Hon Helen Haines MP, Independent Member for Indi // @helenhainesindi Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett 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.

Nov 20, 2024 • 26min
The uninsurables: how climate change is pricing people out of home insurance
More frequent and severe disasters are sending insurance costs through the roof, creating a north-south divide in Australia. On this episode of Follow the Money, Walkley Award-winning journalist Stephen Long joins Alice Grundy to discuss climate change, skyrocketing premiums and serious impact they’re having on inequality. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 13 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording. Pre-order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow and Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute // @StephenLongAus Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // @alicektg Show notes: Premium price: The impact of climate change on insurance costs, the Australia Institute (November 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.