Follow The Money

When the University of Newcastle appointed the Chair of Whitehaven Coal as its new Chancellor, it prompted a swift and public backlash from students, staff, philanthropists and alumni. Join our chief economist Richard Denniss as he unpacks the problems with the university's decision, the community who challenged that decision and why Vaile ended up resigning his position.The Australia Institute // @theausinstituteHost: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest:Richard Denniss, Chief Economist The Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIProducer: Jennifer Macey //@jennifermaceyTheme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia still has no federal anti-corruption commission, more than 2 years after the Coalition government promised to enact one. Worse, there are several serious flaws with the government's proposed model for a Commonwealth Integrity Commission. Join two former judges, the Hon Anthony Whealy QC and the Hon David Harper AM QC as they explain why that the government's model will be weak and ineffective at fighting serious and systemic corruption.Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests:The Hon Anthony Whealy QC, former Judge of the NSW Court of Appeal, Assistant Commissioner ICACThe Hon David Harper AM QC, former Judge of the Victorian Supreme Court of AppealBoth are members of the National Integrity Committee of former judges, auspiced by the Australia InstituteProducer: Jennifer Macey //@jennifermaceyTheme music: Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and Thrum with additional music from Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There has been an enormous surge in the sale of utes, due to the instant asset write-off in the Budget. But just how effective is this in terms of stimulating economic growth and creating jobs? Dig into the details and find out how we're spending billions of dollars to make our car fleet bigger, heavier and less efficient.Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests:Richard Denniss, chief economist, The Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIMatt Saunders, economist, The Australia InstituteProducer: Jennifer Macey //@jennifermaceyTheme music: Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and Thrum with additional music from Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

National Cabinet was created during the pandemic to make big decisions at a fast pace, but how much do Australians know about the advice on lockdowns or hotel quarantine, or about its deliberations and decisions? Not much, it's pretty much a black hole. But a court case could change that. In this episode we dive into the importance of transparency and accountability to a healthy democracy - especially during a global pandemic.Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest:Bill Browne // @browne90The Australia Institute // @theausinstituteWebsite:australiainstitute.org.auProducer: Jennifer Macey //@jennifermacey with help from Jessie SharpTheme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not the federal budget, the carbon budget. Prime Minister Scott Morrison keeps telling world leaders Australia will 'meet and beat' its Paris target and that Australia is 'leading the world' on emissions reduction, but if you dig into the carbon accounts the numbers tell a different story. Join Richie Merzian and Polly Hemming from the Australia Institute's climate & energy program as they unpack the real story of Australia emissions.Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest:Richie Merzian, director Climate & Energy program // @richiemerzianPolly Hemming, Advisor, Climate & Energy program // @pollyjhemmingThe Australia Institute // @theausinstituteWebsite:australiainstitute.org.auProducer: Jennifer Macey //@jennifermacey with help from Jessie SharpTheme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gone are the scare campaigns about debt and deficit, but was this really a big spending budget? Cut through the economic nonsense and pollywaffle with our senior economist Matt Grudnoff, as he unpacks everything you need to know about the Budget. Don't forget to check out the Australia Institute's federal budget breakdown here.Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest:Matt Grudnoff, senior economist at the Australia Institute // @MattGrudnoffThe Australia Institute // @theausinstituteWebsite:australiainstitute.org.auProducer: Jennifer Macey //@jennifermacey with help from Jessie SharpTheme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode we take a look at how much Australia spends subsidising the oil, coal ang gas industry every year, with co-authors of a new Australia Institute report, Eliza Littleton and Alia Armistead. The numbers are mind-boggling.Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest:Eliza Littleton, research economist // @elizalittletonAlia Armistead, graduate researcher // @aliaarmisteadWebsite: australiainstitute.org.auProducer: Jennifer Macey //@jennifermaceyTheme music: Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and Thrum with additional music from Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tasmania is a unique place. Tassie’s coastal waters have high biodiversity and species found nowhere else, but its marine environment is in a state of decline and increasing pressure from climate change, fishing and aquaculture operations like intensive salmon farming, agricultural run-off. Only 1.1% of Tasmania’s marine waters are fully protected. In this episode, join Eloise Carr, director of the Australia Institute Tasmania as we unpack the role of salmon in the Tassie economy and why it needs a Parliamentary inquiry.Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest:Eloise Carr, director, The Australia Institute Tasmania // @GeneveraEWebsite: australiainstitute.org.auProducer: Jennifer Macey //@jennifermaceyTheme music: Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and Thrum with additional music from Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are new coal mines like melting ice cream? In today's episode, Richard Denniss explains the economics of coal, why Malcolm Turnbull has been in trouble with the Liberals and the National party and why we need to pause approvals of new coal mines.Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest:Richard Denniss, chief economist, The Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIProducer: Jennifer Macey //@jennifermaceyTheme music: Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and Thrum with additional music from Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the national electricity grid to function securely it needs control systems that keep frequency and voltage within safe limits. Historically this service has mainly been provided by coal, gas and hydro power stations. But could we get the same security from renewables and batteries? In this episode we’re doing a deep dive into making sure the lights stay on with the Australia Institute’s energy lead, Dan Cass.Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest:Dan Cass // @danjcassThe Australia Institute // @theausinstituteWebsite:australiainstitute.org.auProducer: Jennifer Macey //@jennifermaceyTheme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.