Treasurer Jim Chalmers recently said that 'high interest rates had smashed the economy'. And the Albanese Government has been set on driving through changes recommended in last year's independent review of the RBA - the biggest overhaul of the Reserve Bank in decades. But after the LNP withdrew its support for reform, Labour is now looking to the Greens. So how will we know whether the RBA is doing a good job or not? Guests: John Simon, former Head of Economic Research at the Reserve Bank, now A...
Sep 12, 2024•29 min
Free to air TV was once the only place to watch your favourite football match, but that could change as streaming services and tech companies now compete for sports media rights. Sports bodies sell their rights to broadcasters, who then sell advertising slots or subscriptions, so the clubs and athletes get paid. While this mostly remains the case in Australia, the global value of these rights will this year surpass $US 60 billion with Amazon Prime, NBC and ESPN joining up for the rights to both ...
Sep 05, 2024•29 min
We're almost a quarter of the way into the 21st Century and already it's clear money has changed. It's increasingly mobile. It's (relatively) cheap and more and more digital. Economist Richard Holden is charting the changes. Guest: Richard Holden, Professor of Economics at the University of NSW Business School Author of "Money in the 21st Century; Cheap, Mobile, and Digital' published by University of California Press.
Aug 29, 2024•29 min
It is a bird? Is it a plane? Well, yes, it is a plane, but it's also something much more. We all know that airlines fly passengers and freight around the country and the world. But they're also like banks, and data collecting businesses. And that's because of the growing importance of their frequent flyer programs. Though you no longer need to fly to gain points. As customers we're not sure what these points are worth. But to the airlines, loyalty programs are so lucrative that they are a core p...
Aug 22, 2024•29 min
During RN's Science Week we focus on the business of space and the new global race to put people on the Moon. The space economy is predicted to be worth $US1.8 trillion in ten years time and one of the first steps is the construction of a Lunar Gateway, serving as a pathway to Mars. So what are the likely benefits for us on earth from this re-energised space race? Peggy Hollinger, Space Industry Editor for the Financial Times Professor Anna Moore, Director of the ANU's Institute for Space Ryan B...
Aug 15, 2024•29 min
The Paris Olympics were designed to be 'infrastructure light' to avoid outlandish construction costs, yet the overspend is estimated at $US1 billion. Since the 2016 Rio Olympics' budget overrun by 352 per cent, many cities withdrew their bids in the face of strong public opposition. So should Olympic Games be held in one permanent location every four years? And how are plans for Brisbane's 2032 Olympic Games progressing? Andrew Zimbalist, Professor of Economics at Smith College, Massachusetts. A...
Aug 08, 2024•29 min
How have CEO bonuses reached such stratospheric levels? What do chief executives have to do to get them and how does getting them influence how they run the business? Researchers have found that CEO bonuses can lead to some sneaky corporate behaviour. And the incentives often don’t align the interests of the boss and the shareholders. Anna Bedford, Associate Professor at UTS Geoff Martin, Professor of Strategy at Melbourne Business School Dr Rebecca Bachmann, Lecturer, Department of Account and ...
Aug 01, 2024•29 min
What does the Crowdstrike outage have to teach us about risk management and relying on cyber?
Jul 25, 2024•29 min
Shopping malls are very big business globally and Australia's no different, with the twelve largest centres earning over $1 billion annually. Initially designed in the 1960s to accommodate hundreds of cars, targeting the suburban housewife, today they come in all sizes - from the big guns, to mini guns - and are much more responsive to diverse cultural needs, changing consumer trends, and the latest in entertainment.
Jul 18, 2024•29 min
Indigenous business and home ownership is on an upward trajectory. The role played by Indigenous owned and operated businesses in Australia's economy has expanded, contributing over $16 billion to the economy, and over $4.2 billion in wages. And Indigenous Business Australia has helped tens of thousands purchase their own home. No mean feat during this cost of living crisis. Laura Thompson, Co-Founder, Clothing the Gap Michelle Evans, Director of the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Lea...
Jul 11, 2024•29 min
This week, everyone who's got a job will have more money in their pocket, thanks to the introduction of the Stage III tax cuts? So how do people plan to use the extra money? And is it good policy? In addition, hundreds of tariffs on imports will also be cut, a decision that economists love and applaud. Guests Kristen Sobeck, Research Fellow, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, ANU Matthew Bowen, Head of Consumer and Market Insights, ING Bank Australia Alex Robson, Deputy Chair, Productivity Commi...
Jul 04, 2024•29 min
If we reduce the number of immigrants will that reduce pressure on infrastructure and the cost of housing? The short answer is yes, but it will cost us in other ways. So how should we choose our skilled immigrants and help them make the biggest contribution? Guests Diana Mousina: Deputy Chief Economist, AMP. Brendan Coates: Economic Policy Program Director, Grattan institute. Cassandra Windsor: Chief Economist, CEDA ( Committee for Economic Development of Australia) Tim Harrison: CEO of Ararat R...
Jun 27, 2024•29 min
Making bucket loads of money from crime is one thing but what do you then do with it all? Investigative journalist Geoff White explains how big time crims are making their dirty money clean. Guest: Geoff White, author of Rinsed: From Cartels to Crypto, How the Tech Industry Washes Money for the World’s Deadliest Crooks.
Jun 20, 2024•29 min
Coffee prices have climbed on commodity markets but not so much in cafes. Why is that?
Jun 13, 2024•29 min
People are drinking less alcohol, especially Millennials and Gen Z. And the drinks industry has noticed. Low-alc and no-alc drinks make up a tiny fraction of the market. But it’s growing at 7 percent a year. And, as more of us either moderate our drinking or stop altogether, the future for these drinks look bright. But the way they’re advertised, marketed and packaged makes them look very like alcoholic drinks and there’s some concern they may act as a gateway to alcohol. Guests: Simon Strachan,...
Jun 06, 2024•29 min
TikTok, the phone app that sends a stream of viral videos to every user, is in trouble in the United States. The company must either change its Chinese ownership, or leave the American market. In response, TikTok is underlining its economic contribution, in Australia and elsewhere. So how much difference does it make? Guests: Dr Joanne Gray, Lecturer in Digital Cultures, University of Sydney Ariana Hendry, Co-founder, Beysis Kristian Kolding, Head of Consulting, Oxford Economics Australia Profes...
May 30, 2024•29 min
As they say a “diamond is forever”. But does it matter if that diamond is grown in a lab or mined from the Earth? Especially if they both are chemically, physically, and optically identical. And given that cost of living pressures are colliding with consumers’ desire to not compromise on size or quality, more and more Australians can see the logic behind lab grown gems. In America, lab-grown may have peaked. Guests: Cormac Kinney, Founder & CEO, Diamond Standard Paul Zimnisky, Leading Global...
May 23, 2024•29 min
This year’s Budget tries to do several things at once. In the short term it offers cost-of-living relief but tries not to contribute to inflation. In the longer term it departs from decades of economic orthodoxy by picking industries to invest in. Specifically, green hydrogen and critical minerals. But will it work? And how responsible is it? Three of the country’s leading economists offer their views. Guests: Shane Oliver, Chief Economist, AMP Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW Busine...
May 16, 2024•29 min
Australians have a sleeping problem. The most conservative estimates show one in 10 have a sleep disorder, which is having an impact on their safety, wellbeing and productivity. This ends up costing almost a $1 billion a week. And that’s not all. The total cost of inadequate sleep is thought to be as high as $75 billion a year. We’re not alone either. International research shows places like the US, the UK and Europe are facing similar problems, with similar costs. Guests: Shanthakumar Rajaratna...
May 09, 2024•29 min
You don’t need to be paying too much attention to be aware that economic growth matters. Growth is central to economics. And growth of the last 60 years has delivered. We’ve seen a rise in prosperity, and developments in health and education. But the pursuit of growth has also had consequences. In his new book Growth: A Reckoning, Daniel Susskind explores the tension between the positives and negatives created by the pursuit of growth. Guest: Daniel Susskind, Research Professor in Economics at K...
May 02, 2024•29 min
Research shows loneliness costs the Australian economy $2.7 billion per year or $1565 per person. The World Health Organisation has also declared loneliness to be a global health concern. And it’s estimated loneliness has an equivalent health impact on the body to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Before the pandemic older Australians were found to be the loneliest in the nation. But now the data now shows this has shifted and younger Australians are the feeling the effects of being alone and isolate...
Apr 25, 2024•29 min
The growth of cyber-crime is considered to be the biggest challenge facing Australian businesses. Collectively cyber-attacks cost the economy $42 billion dollars last year, with ransomware the most disruptive type of hack, costing $3 billion. So what is the government doing? And what can organisations do, both to lower their risk of attack, and if the hackers succeed in accessing their systems? Guests Nick Espinosa, Chief Security Fanatic, Security Fanatics Dr Jay Jeong, Senior Research Fellow, ...
Apr 18, 2024•29 min
New research suggests that the increase in vaping across Australia will cost the health system an extra $180 million each year and that’s a conservative figure. Vaping has been framed as a way to stop smoking tobacco, however it can also be a gateway to taking it up. It’s estimated that 13 per cent of people who vape transition to cigarettes. The Australian government has called vapes a public health menace and introduced restrictive anti-vaping policies. But are these policies intended to drive...
Apr 11, 2024•29 min
Twice a year most Australians are made to deliberately mess with our body clocks. When we go into daylight saving and when we come out. Many of us love the longer summer evenings. What we don’t love is the sleep adjustment that makes us feel tired, fuzzy and out of sorts. There are plenty of arguments about whether daylight saving is a good or bad thing. So in this episode we look at the costs and benefits and whether it’s time to rethink the concept. Guests: Dr Thomas Sigler, Associate Professo...
Apr 04, 2024•29 min
As we head into Easter you may have noticed the price of your seasonal sweet treats like chocolate bunnies and eggs are a bit higher than last year. The main reason is the price of cocoa beans or actually, the price of cocoa futures. They’ve skyrocketed by more than 100% in 2024 alone and tripled over the past year. But why is that and will we be prepared to keep paying higher prices for the sweet stuff? Guests Tina Angelidis: Co-Owner, Adora Chocolates Pia Piggott: Associate Analyst, Rabobank P...
Mar 28, 2024•29 min
In the country’s most expensive housing markets, family help and the ‘bank of mum and dad’ is increasingly necessary for younger people to buy homes. But could this entrench and perpetuate lasting advantage for those already part of the property-owning class? Guests Dr Julia Cook: Senior lecturer, Sociology, University of Newcastle Dr Laurence Troy: Senior lecturer in Urbanism, University of Sydney Dr Monique McKenzie: Post doctoral research associate, University of Sydney Sophie Renton: Managin...
Mar 21, 2024•29 min
Innovation sparks thoughts of tech giants, inventions and Silicon Valley. While those companies in Cupertino may be good at generating extreme wealth, they’re not so good at spreading it across the communities they benefit from. Other places do better, particularly Switzerland, Sweden and Austria. What can we learn from them? Guest: Neil Lee, Author, Innovation For The Masses: How To Share The Benefits Of The High-Tech Economy
Mar 14, 2024•29 min
Wage theft costs Australia’s workforce at least a billion dollars a year. Some industries, like retail, hospitality and horticulture are renowned for it. But the practice is widespread across many sectors. There’s been wage theft cases against franchises like 7 Eleven and Bakers Delight, institutions like universities and the ABC, and corporate giants like Coles and the Commonwealth Bank. So which workers are most vulnerable and what can be done to protect them? Guests: Giuseppe Carabetta, Assoc...
Mar 07, 2024•29 min
The market concentration of the beer industry.
Feb 29, 2024•29 min
Illiteracy is costing the Australian economy billions.It won't cost much to fix the problem in our schools, just a commitment.
Feb 22, 2024•29 min
