Mark Kenny joins Glenn Connley to discuss the Australian federal election, focusing on whether the polls accurately predict a Labor victory. The conversation covers the performances of Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton, the impact of global political trends, and the effectiveness of each party's campaign strategies. They explore the possibility of an upset, the challenges faced by the opposition, and the broader implications for Australian politics.
The United States is disappearing down an authoritarian rabbit hole and Australian leaders are struggling to respond . On this crossover episode of After America and Follow the Money , Ebony Bennett and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US administration’s mass deportations, the scandals surrounding the Departments of Defense and State, and why Australian democratic institutions are worth defending. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 22 April 2025 and things may have changed since recording...
Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne discuss the federal election campaign so far, the performance of the media, and how preferential voting actually works. On this episode of Follow the Money , the Australia Institute’s Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne join guest host Stephen Long to discuss housing policy, the Australian electoral system, and the need for truth in political advertising laws. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 15 April 2025 and things may have changed. Follow all the action from...
Peter Dutton has it half right on gas. There is no supply shortage, but Australians need to be using less gas – not more. On this episode of Follow the Money , Rod Campbell and Mark Ogge join Ebony Bennett to discuss the fixing Australia’s gas export problem, making gas companies pay their fair share in taxes and royalties, and why there is no need for new gas projects. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 8 April 2025 and things may have changed. Follow all the action from the fe...
With housing affordability at an all-time low and the spectre of Trump looming large over our region, Australians’ standard of living will be at the heart of the debate from now until election day. On this episode of Follow the Money , Australia Institute economists Matt Grudnoff and Jack Thrower join Ebony Bennett to discuss the Australian economy and the federal election campaign. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 1 April 2025 and things may have changed. Order What's the Big Idea?...
The Government’s proposed environmental law changes are an attack on our democracy and could benefit destructive industries far beyond Tasmania’s coastal ecosystems. On this episode of Follow the Money , Ebony Bennett discusses the Government’s efforts to weaken the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act with Australia Institute Executive Director Dr Richard Denniss and Strategy Director Leanne Minshull. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 25 Marc...
Chunks of dead salmon have washed up on Tasmanian beaches and the Maugean skate is at risk of extinction, so why won’t governments to more to rein in the salmon industry in Tasmania? On this episode of Follow the Money , Eloise Carr, Director of the Australia Institute Tasmania, the Federal Government’s dangerous proposal to get around Australia’s already inadequate environmental protections and why salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour needs to end. This discussion was recorded ...
The public sector is under fire, but is it really as inefficient as DOGE and Dutton claim? On this episode of Follow the Money , Dr Fiona Macdonald, Acting Director at the Centre for Future Work, joins Glenn Connley to discuss Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, Peter Dutton’s plan to axe public service jobs, and why the private sector generally doesn’t deliver better public services. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 12 March 2025 and things may have chang...
Polls point to a power-sharing government being the most likely outcome at the upcoming federal election, but how do they actually work? Independent Senator David Pocock and Tony Windsor AM, former independent parliamentarian who held the balance of power during the Gillard minority government, join Amy Remeikis to discuss how they negotiate with the major parties, the growth of the independent and minor party vote, and why there’s so much fearmongering about minority governments in Austra...
For communities in Tuvalu and Kiribati, climate change isn’t an abstract threat – it’s having a real-time impact on their lives and culture. On this bonus episode of Follow the Money , Walkley Award-winning journalist Stephen Long speaks to three young climate advocates about the impact of climate change in Tuvalu and Kiribati, their dismay at the continued expansion of fossil fuels by Australia and other developed nations, and how they are fighting for the future of their soci...
By laying off tens of thousands of federal employees, challenging the authority of judges and throwing erstwhile allies under the bus, the Trump administration is radically reshaping America and its role in the world. On this episode of Follow the Money , Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss Trump’s efforts to “rinse” Ukraine for its resources, the administration’s moves to dismantle significant portions of the Federal Government, and how the Australian Government ca...
The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates for the first time since November 2020 – so is the Australian economy out of the woods? On this crossover episode of Follow the Money and Dollars & Sense , Greg Jericho and Ebony Bennett discuss what’s going on with inflation, the performance of the Reserve Bank and whether the Government deserves the credit for setting the economy on a better course. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 19 February 2025 and things may have changed sin...
We discuss Trump’s new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports and what they’ll mean for Australia. On this episode of Follow the Money , Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff joins Ebony Bennett to explain how tariffs work, Trump’s 25 per cent levy on steel and aluminium imports, and how big a deal this will be for Australia. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 11 February 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better ...
Australia needs an electoral system that’s genuinely fair, not a two-tiered system that favours the major parties. On this episode of Follow the Money , Democracy & Accountability Director Bill Browne joins us to discuss the latest political donations data and why tens of thousands of Australians are concerned about the Government’s proposed electoral changes. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 4 February 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's t...
President Donald Trump has been issuing Executive Orders and dominating the media cycle, trying to radically reshape America and the world in the process. On this special crossover episode of After America and Follow the Money , Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss the role of Elon Musk, Trump’s pause on all US foreign aid, his ability to ‘flood the zone’, and how this all affects Australia. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 28 January 2025 and things ma...
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 Austral...
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 Bigg...
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 natio...
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 j...
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 ...
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...
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...
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 ha...
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 chan...
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...
The United Nations climate change negotiations are skirting around the critical issue of phasing out fossil fuels and are in desperate need of reform, says Sandrine Dixson-Declève. On this episode of Follow the Money , Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss phasing out fossil fuels, the false narratives being peddled about the green transition, and why addressing inequality is fundamental to tackling the climate crisis. This discussion was recor...
With its democracy under assault, America needs a friend, not a flunkey. On this episode of Follow the Money , Australia Institute International & Security Affairs Advisor Allan Behm joins us to discuss the “unachievable” AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, Australia’s ‘fear of abandonment’, and how the outcome of the presidential election might change US foreign policy. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 5 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au /...
He lost the Queensland election, but former Premier Steven Miles may have saved the furniture by putting forward popular, progressive policies that voters responded to. On this episode of Follow the Money , Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the fake fight between the new Queensland Premier and Peter Dutton over nuclear power and the fallout from the state election. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 29 October 2024 and things may have chan...
Excessive secrecy in government decision-making makes Australia less safe, not more. On this episode of Follow the Money , Bill Browne, Democracy & Accountability Director at the Australia Institute, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss whistleblower protections, improving the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and why Australia may be the world’s most secretive democracy. This discussion was recorded live on Tuesday 22 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. Find all the conte...
Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno joins us to discuss how conflict in the Middle East is reverberating through Australia, and reconciliation one year after the Voice referendum. On this episode of Follow the Money , Paul Bongiorno, columnist for The Saturday Paper and The New Daily , joins Ebony Bennett to discuss culture wars in Australia, two upcoming elections, and the reaction to Anthony Albanese’s new beachside retreat. This discussion was recorded live on Tuesday 15 October 2024 and thi...
