Follow The Money

It's not too early to start thinking about how we rebuild the economy after the crisis. Hear Shadow Treasurer Jim Chalmers discuss why 'snapback' just won't cut it, as part of the Australia Institute's 'Economics of a Pandemic' webinar series. Recorded live on Wednesday 29 April 2020.Jim Chalmers' Guardian article is here. Language warning - an attendee drops the F-bomb somewhere in the middle of the Q & A section!Visit tai.org.au for all the Australia Institute's latest research and analysis.Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests:Jim Chalmers // @JEChalmersRichard Denniss, chief economist of the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIProducer: Jennifer Macey with help from Lucy LuoTheme 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 Prime Minister has said the economic recovery won’t be ‘business as usual’ but so far the corporate sector's wish list is indistinguishable from 'business as usual'. But how can we judge whether or not a proposal like company tax cuts stacks up? How do we know if it will have a better or worse outcome than boosting funding for TAFE or aged care?This week we talk to the Australia Institute's senior economist Matt Grudnoff about how the Institute developed a benchmark set of criteria that any stimulus policy can be measured against. Recorded on April 28th 2020.Visit tai.org.au for all our latest research and analysis.Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests: Matt Grudnoff, senior economist of the Australia Institute // @MattGrudnoffProducer: Jennifer Macey with help from Lucy LuoTheme 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 Australian media industry, particularly journalism, was already going through a major disruption before the pandemic hit. At least 51 news media outlets and newsrooms have closed since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis in Australia, according the The Guardian.This episode features a discussion about the crisis facing the media between Kim Williams, Chair of Thomsen Reuters Trustees and former CEO of Newscorp Australia, Walkley award-winning journalist, author and broadcaster Quentin Dempster and our chief economist Richard Denniss from the Australia Institute's 'Economics of a Pandemic' webinar series. Recorded live on Wednesday 22 April 2020Host: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests:Kim Williams // Quentin Dempster //@QuentinDempsterRichard Denniss, chief economist of the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIProducer: Jennifer Macey with help from River McCrossenTheme music is by Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and ThrumSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are facing existential threats to human security that are not amenable to solution by military forces. In this week's episode we discuss the need to rethink national security with Allan Behm, director of the Australia Institute's International and Security Affairs Program.Check out Allan's Guardian article hereVisit tai.org.au for our latest pandemic economic research and analysis // @theausinstituteHost: Ebony Bennett, deputy director of the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests: Allan Behm, International and Security Affairs Program director // @mirandaprorsusProducer: Jennifer Macey with assistance from Hayley Wilkinson and Hamish Cole.Theme music: Jonathan McFeat from Pulse and Thrum Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.