Follow The Money

The Australian arts industry was one of the earliest economic casualties of Covid-19 as museums, theatres, galleries, festivals and music venues shut down to avoid a public health crisis leading to massive job losses --even as more than ever we rely on music, TV and books to help us cope with isolation.In this episode we're bringing you some special guests from our ‘Economics of a Pandemic webinar series: Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young, author and playwright Melanie Tait and chief economist Richard Denniss who joined a discussion on the role of arts and artists in the economy.Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests:Senator Sarah Hanson-Young // @sarahinthesen8Melanie Tait, author and playwright //@MelanieTaitRichard Denniss, chief economist of the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIProducer: Jennifer Macey with help from River McCrossen.Theme music is by Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and Thrumwe'll leave you with this song by Wollongong singer/songwriter Kay Proudlove which she posted on her instagram page @kay_proudlove Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's early days, but it looks like the measures Australia has taken to stop the spread of Covid-19 appear to be working. But not everyone sees it that way. Many commentators and economists think that the restrictions we’ve put in place go ‘too far’. So we asked chief economist at the Australia Institute, Richard Denniss, what price we really put on human life? Check out Richard's two essays for The Monthly 'What the government thinks you're worth' (February 2019) and 'Spreadsheets of Power' (April 2015)Visit tai.org.au for our latest pandemic economic research and analysis // @theausinstituteHost: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests: Richard Denniss, chief economist of the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIProducer: Jennifer Macey.Theme music is by Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and ThrumSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A live recording of a webinar with Wayne Swan, ALP President and former Deputy PM and Treasurer who helped steer Australia's economy through the GFC without going into recession, recorded live on Zoom Thursday 9 April 2020. Part of the Australia's Institute's 'Economics of a Pandemic' webinar series.Visit tai.org.au for our latest pandemic economic research and analysis // @theausinstituteHost: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests: Wayne Swan, ALP National President // @SwannyQLDRichard Denniss, chief economist of the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIProducer: Jennifer Macey.Theme music is by Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and ThrumSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the middle of this unprecedented health and economic crisis, it is critical we do not let a crisis in our democracy emerge as well. Like Australia, New Zealand has shut down its Parliament due to COVID-19. However, NZ has found a non-partisan alternative to maintain accountability while Parliament is not sitting. Australia Institute executive director Ben Oquist makes the case for an Epidemic Response Committee.Visit tai.org.au for our latest pandemic economic research and analysis // @theausinstituteHost: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest: Ben Oquist, executive director of the Australia Institute // @BenOquistProducer: Jennifer Macey.Theme music is by Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and ThrumSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Morrison government performed an enormous and welcome backflip, announcing a $130 billion Jobkeeper package to support workers, through their employer, with a $1500/fortnight wage subsidy. Richard Denniss, chief economist at the Australia Institute unpacks the details.Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettContributors: Richard Denniss, chief economist at the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIThis episode was produced by Jennifer Macey. Montage by Lizzie Jack.Our theme music is by Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and Thrum.Wash your hands regularly, stay at home if you can and thanks for listening.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does a global pandemic do to the economy? Richard Denniss explains why the government is shutting down whole sections of the economy and unpacks the government's economic survival package. Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Contributors: Richard Denniss, chief economist at the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIThis episode was produced by Jennifer Macey.Our theme music is by Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and Thrum.Wash your hands regularly, stay safe and thanks for listening.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is a growing awareness globally that unregulated technological development is not delivering on its promise to transform the world for the better.The Australia Institute launched the Centre for Responsible Technology, a new non-partisan centre designed to give people greater influence over the way technology is rapidly changing our world, on Wednesday 20 November 2019.The new Centre will be led by Essential Media director Peter Lewis, who was joined by two of Australia’s leading thinkers Pia Andrews and Mark Andrejevic, for a special “The People vs Tech” Politics in the Pub launch of our new Centre for Responsible Technology, following a roundtable discussion featuring a range of experts from business, NGOs, unions, academia and the media.Host: Peter Lewis, Director of Centre for Responsible Technology // @PeterLewisEMCGuests:Pia Andrews // @piacandrewsMark Andrejevic // @MarkAndrejevicProducer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey and Lizzie JackTitle Track: Jonathan McFeat pulseandthrum.comFind us on Twitter @theausinstitute // Facebook.Visit our website at tai.org.au/podcastsThis episode was recorded live at ANU bar on Wednesday 20 November by Clayton McDonald.You can subscribe to The Australia Institute's podcast series Follow The Money on iTunes. Each episode busts some economic myths, interprets econobabble and helps you sound really smart at your next dinner party.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new book, "See What you Made Me Do" by Walkley-award winning investigative journalist Jess Hill looks at the national emergency that is domestic violence or what Jess now calls domestic abuse. Trigger warning: some of the content we are going to discuss and the clips of various government anti-violence campaigns may be upsetting for some listeners and might not be appropriate for young ears. Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest: Jess Hill, author and journalist // @jessradioSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent Pacific Islands Forum turned from a 'Pacific step up' to a Pacific step back for Scott Morrison, as Australia held a hardline on coal and emissions cuts.  Former president of Kiribati, Anote Tong urged that Australia's membership of the Pacific Island Forum to be reviewed, asking "How can you justify being part of a family and part of a group which you're trying to destroy?" and Follow the Money was fortunate enough to speak to him while he was in Canberra. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First there were dead fish and towns running out of water, then #Watergate and now Four Corners have done an investigation into the Murray Darling Basin — again. Big picture...what's going on? Host: Rod Campbell, research director at The Australia Institute // @R_o_d_C Contributors: Maryanne Slattery, senior water researcher at the Australia Institute // @MaryanneSlatte1Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.