Australian superannuation funds have been investing in nuclear weapons, according to new research. On this episode of Follow the Money , Margaret Beavis, Co-Director of Quit Nukes, and Adam Gottschalk, Anne Kantor Research Fellow at the Australia Institute, join us to discuss how some superannuation funds invest Australians’ retirement savings nuclear weapons. This discussion was recorded live on Friday 4 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @the...
Oct 09, 2024•19 min•Season 9Ep. 329
Senator Nick McKim joins us to discuss the ACCC legal action against Coles and Woolworths and why the government should have the power to break up the Big Two. On this episode of Follow the Money , Greens Senator Nick McKim, Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Grocery Prices, joins us to discuss regulating the major supermarkets and his famous grilling of the former Woolies CEO. Join President José Ramos-Horta at 6pm AEDT, Tuesday 8 October for an evening of conversation at the Sydney Opera ...
Oct 02, 2024•23 min•Season 9Ep. 328
By relying on uncertain and unethical carbon offsets to combat the climate crisis, society is setting itself on a path to destruction, George Monbiot says. On this episode of Follow the Money , George Monbiot, Guardian columnist and co-author of The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism , joins the Australia Institute’s Polly Hemming to discuss the impact of neoliberalism on our climate, the folly of carbon offsets, and why “bollocks” incrementalism won’t lead to systemic chang...
Sep 25, 2024•35 min•Season 9Ep. 327
The mining industry had a pre-election sook last week about government policy, but its claims about being the ‘backbone’ of the economy are more spin than substance. On this episode of Follow the Money , Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to discuss mining’s latest PR offensive and why politicians shouldn’t fear standing up to the industry. Join President José Ramos-Horta at 6pm AEDT, Tuesday 8 October for an evening of conversation at the Sydney Opera Hou...
Sep 18, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 326
The Reserve Bank is home to the experts on monetary policy – but what happens when they get it wrong? On this episode of Follow the Money , Greg Jericho and Matt Grudnoff join Ebony Bennett to discuss the latest GDP figures, the real drivers of inflation and how the Reserve Bank misread the state of the economy. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 10 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist,...
Sep 11, 2024•41 min•Season 9Ep. 325
Mark Kenny joins us to discuss the government’s census own goal and Australia’s flagging economy. On this episode of Follow the Money , Ebony Bennett discusses the latest in federal politics with Professor Mark Kenny, former Chief Political Correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald , The Age and The Canberra Times . This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 3 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Mark Kenny, Director, ANU...
Sep 04, 2024•39 min•Season 9Ep. 324
On this episode, we discuss regulating the digital giants, the challenge of artificial intelligence and restoring trust in the media. The media industry has changed radically over the last three decades, transformed by the 24-hour news cycle, social media and the tech giants, and now artificial intelligence. On this special episode of Follow the Money , recorded live at Politics in the Pub in Canberra, Minister Ed Husic, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Karen Percy from the Media, Entertainment &a...
Aug 28, 2024•52 min•Season 9Ep. 323
Australia’s flawed tax system means that there’s never been a better time to be ultra-wealthy in Australia, despite some people struggling to put food on the table. We’re told it’s a cost-of-living crisis, but not everyone is feeling the pinch. New Australia Institute research shows that the ultra-rich are getting richer, thanks in part to Australia’s distorted tax system. On this episode of Follow the Money , Dr Richard Denniss and Dave Richardson join Dr Alice Grundy to discuss the growing pro...
Aug 21, 2024•25 min•Season 9Ep. 322
Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz joins us to discuss how to create a fairer, freer society and the “fertile field” neoliberalism has created for demagogues. Columbia University Professor and former World Bank Chief Economist Joseph E Stiglitz joins Ebony Bennet on this episode of Follow the Money to discuss inequality and the rise of Trump, Australia’s “environmental deficit” and his new book, The Road to Freedom: Economics and the Good Society . This discussion was recorded on Tues...
Aug 14, 2024•37 min•Season 9Ep. 321
We discuss declining social cohesion, the Prime Minister’s visit to the Northern Territory and the cabinet reshuffle with veteran journalist Paul Bongiorno. Are the home affairs and immigration portfolios a poisoned chalice for the new minister, Tony Burke? And are the opposition’s attacks on the government over the economy having an impact ahead of the election? On this episode of Follow the Money , we discuss the latest in federal politics with Paul Bongiorno. This discussion was recorded on T...
Aug 07, 2024•46 min•Season 9Ep. 320
Super tax concessions make inequality worse and are at risk of becoming more expensive than the aged pension. Superannuation tax concessions are meant to encourage saving for retirement, but the system is being gamed to help the wealthiest avoid paying tax. Australia Institute Chief Economist Greg Jericho joins Ebony Bennett on this episode of Follow the Money to bust some super myths and discuss what a fairer system should look like. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 30 July 2024 and thin...
Jul 31, 2024•28 min•Season 9Ep. 319
On this special crossover episode of Follow the Money and After America , we discuss Biden’s decision to drop out of the campaign and why Democrats have rallied around Kamala Harris as the presumptive nominee. Ebony Bennett and Dr Emma Shortis, host of the Australia Institute’s After America podcast, reflect on Joe Biden’s legacy, his endorsement of Kamala Harris and what it could mean for the election campaign. This discussion was recorded on Monday 22 July 2024 and things may have changed sinc...
Jul 23, 2024•44 min•Season 9Ep. 318
The rise of independents and minor parties means that Labor and the Coalition can no longer take any race for granted. It’s said that ‘disunity is death’ in Australian politics, but – as several major party politicians found out in the 2022 election – falling in behind an unpopular policy agenda can be pretty dangerous for your career as well. On this episode of Follow the Money , Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the big changes taking place i...
Jul 17, 2024•33 min•Season 9Ep. 317
Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai faces life in prison in Hong Kong, but his son Sebastien and renowned human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson are leading the charge to set him free. After escaping mainland China in the bottom of a fishing boat at the age of 12, Jimmy Lai went on to become one of the most influential people in Hong Kong. But now the founder of Hong Kong’s largest pro-democracy newspaper is facing the possibility of life in prison under China’s repressive national security law. On ...
Jul 10, 2024•23 min•Season 9Ep. 316
Introducing After America, a new Australia Institute podcast hosted by Dr Emma Shortis. Can Biden recover from a disastrous debate performance? What does the release of Julian Assange reveal about the Australia-US relationship? And is Trump’s authoritarian behaviour really an outlier in American political history? On the first episode of After America , Dr Emma Shortis reflects on the first presidential debate performance and the release of Julian Assange, before former BBC United States corresp...
Jul 05, 2024•46 min
Careless political finance reforms could shift the balance in Australian democracy in favour of special interests. Will the government’s political finance reforms keep vested interests out of politics or ensure the major parties dominate Australia’s political landscape? Could South Australia’s proposed political donations ban become a model for the rest of the country? And what home-grown innovations have insulated Australia from some of the democratic backsliding seen in the United States? On t...
Jul 03, 2024•24 min•Season 9Ep. 315
The Coalition’s nuclear ‘plan’ is a cynical, Trump-like distraction – so why does the media (and this podcast) fall for the trap? Who will benefit most from the Coalition’s new nuclear energy plan? And why does the media fall into the trap of covering it like genuine policy? On this episode of Follow the Money , the Australia Institute’s Dr Matt Ryan and Rod Campbell discuss the Coalition’s nuclear announcement and the cost of Australia’s failure to decarbonise. This discussion was recorded on T...
Jun 26, 2024•32 min•Season 9Ep. 314
Gas is a finite resource – so why is Australia essentially giving it away? Rising demand as the world emerged from COVID-19 lockdowns, coupled with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has led to massive windfall profits for the gas industry. But according to new Australia Institute research, the gas companies aren’t paying royalties on most of the gas they export. So what exactly is happening to Australia’s gas? How do we compare with other major fossil fuel exporters when it comes to collecting royal...
Jun 19, 2024•24 min•Season 9Ep. 313
With just five months until the presidential election, American democracy is under serious threat. This American presidential election will be unique for many reasons, not the least of which is Donald Trump becoming the first American president to be found guilty of a crime. So what impact – if any – will that have on the outcome? Is Biden going to be able to mobilise enough support in key states to win a second term? And what might another Trump presidency mean for Australia? On this episode of...
Jun 12, 2024•29 min•Season 9Ep. 312
Australia is in the midst of a housing crisis, fuelled by poor government policy. Across the country, house prices have skyrocketed, putting the prospect of buying a home well out of reach for too many people. Rents have also soared, placing huge financial pressure on people and pushing many into homelessness. On this episode of Follow the Money , housing advocate and creator of shitrentals.org Jordan van den Berg, Maiy Azize from national housing campaign Everybody’s Home, and Australia Institu...
Jun 05, 2024•38 min•Season 9Ep. 311
It’s been 12 years since Julian Assange has been free – but is the fight to keep him from a life in an American prison finally coming to an end? United States President Joe Biden told reporters he’s considering Australia’s request to drop charges against Assange for publishing thousands of sensitive military and government documents, but the fight to free the Australian publisher isn’t over. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 21st May 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australia...
May 29, 2024•38 min•Season 9Ep. 310
A series of recent high-profile incidents has thrust the national crisis of domestic violence into the spotlight. Clearly the current approach to violence against women isn't working, so what can be done? 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 . This episode was recorded on Tuesday 21st May 2024 and things may have changed since recording. aus...
May 22, 2024•39 min•Season 9Ep. 309
Budget 2024 had a little bit for a lot of people, but in trying to please everyone, has the government disappointed everyone instead? What does the budget mean for inflation and living standards? What does it reveal about the government’s priorities as it approaches an election? And does it ultimately make Australia a better place? Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at the Australia Institute, joins Ebony Bennett on this episode of Follow the Money to examine this year’s federal budget. This episod...
May 15, 2024•21 min•Season 9Ep. 308
Millions of Australians are struggling to make ends meet, yet when it comes to the federal budget, too often we hear that governments ‘can’t afford’ additional spending. Next week, Treasurer Jim Chalmers will announce what the government has chosen to prioritise in this federal budget. So, will the government address some of the big issues facing social security, the climate, HECS, housing and more, or will it be a budget of band aid solutions? Senior Economist at the Australia Institute, Matt G...
May 08, 2024•22 min•Season 9Ep. 307
It’s going to be difficult to tackle bogus environmental claims from the private sector until the government itself stops greenwashing, Polly Hemming says on this episode of Follow the Money . There’s a global crackdown on greenwashing underway, but not everyone is getting the message – not even the Australian Government. On this episode of Follow the Money , the Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program Director Polly Hemming joins Ebony Bennett to discuss state-sponsored greenwashing....
May 01, 2024•31 min•Season 9Ep. 306
As the government shelves important reform to the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act, the Knitting Nannas are getting out into their communities and demanding an end to fossil fuel projects. They may not fit the stereotype of activists, but the Knitting Nannas are a force to be reckoned with. In their own words, they “sit, knit, plot, have a yarn and a cuppa, and bear witness to the war against the greedy, short-sighted corporations”. On this episode of Follow the ...
Apr 24, 2024•23 min•Season 9Ep. 305
Freedom of Information laws have helped the public uncover information governments would prefer to keep secret, but the system is failing. Strong Freedom of Information laws are critical to Australia’s democracy, but delays and government resistance are undermining people’s faith in the system. On this episode of Follow the Money , former independent Senator for South Australia Rex Patrick and Australia Institute Senior Economist Matthew Grudnoff join Ebony Bennett to discuss why transparency ma...
Apr 17, 2024•32 min•Season 9Ep. 304
Rather than delivering on their election promise to create a Great Koala National Park, the New South Wales Government is sitting on its hands until it can earn carbon credits from forests. On this episode of Follow the Money , Walkley Award winning journalist and Australia Institute Senior Fellow Stephen Long joins Ebony Bennett to discuss his new report into the disastrous consequences of the ongoing logging in the state for koalas and the climate. If you want the New South Wales Government to...
Apr 10, 2024•27 min•Season 9Ep. 303
The major parties claim that minority and coalition governments are chaotic and unworkable, but are they actually more effective? Australian politicians aren’t exactly known for getting along with each other. But history shows that, when they’re forced to share government, they can get a lot done. In the wake of the Tasmanian election, Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Follow the Money to discuss why the need to negotiate can make minority and coalition governments bet...
Apr 03, 2024•31 min•Season 9Ep. 302
After scarcely mentioning it for nearly a decade while in government, the Coalition are now hot to trot on nuclear power – but why? On this episode of Follow the Money , energy researcher Matthew Ryan and host Ebony Bennett discuss the cost of a massive nuclear energy rollout, the legal and environmental barriers standing in the way and why the Coalition’s plans would be dreadful for Australia’s emissions in the coming decade. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Matthew Ryan, Po...
Mar 27, 2024•26 min•Season 9Ep. 301
