Australia is 'freaking amazing' - will that last?
Australia is an economic success story. But can the institutions that built it survive an uncertain world?
Oct 23, 2025•30 min
The Economy, Stupid
Formerly The Money, The Economy, Stupid is your weekly guide to the world of business, economics and finance. Every Thursday, economist Peter Martin is joined by a team of sharp young thinkers for a fresh conversation about the financial stories making headlines and how they might affect you.
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Episodes
'Sexually transmitted tax debt'
Hidden debts, coercive control — and why the tax system can punish people most in need of help.
Oct 16, 2025•30 min
The great Australian wealth gap
The rich keep getting richer while millions are falling behind. What future awaits us all?
Oct 09, 2025•30 min
Superannuation: Are We Saving More Than We Need?
Most Australians die with more money than they retired with. Are we squirrelling away too much into super — and if so, who benefits?
Oct 02, 2025•30 min
Each Generation Better Off?
Every Australian generation has expected to be more prosperous, healthier and safer than the last. But the latest national wellbeing data tells a more complicated story.
Sep 25, 2025•30 min
Australia's 2035 Climate Target: Economic Hit or Miss?
Is the government's "responsible" approach sensible politics, or a missed economic opportunity?
Sep 18, 2025•29 min
When Trade Wars Hit Home
From postage costs to small business exports, new US trade barriers are disrupting daily life. How bad will it get?
Sep 11, 2025•30 min
The Economy is Growing - But Will You Be Better Off?
The latest economic figures show Australia's GDP climbing, but does that translate into more money in your pocket or a better life?
Sep 04, 2025•29 min
Can We Really Trust the Banks Again?
After the Royal Commission exposed widespread misconduct, how did the banks pull off their reputation revival - and can we really trust them?
Aug 28, 2025•30 min
Why Has Australia's Economic Progress Stalled?
For decades, life in Australia seemed to move in one direction - forward. But now the promise of progress feels less certain.
Aug 21, 2025•30 min
Who Should Pay More Tax in Australia?
Treasury has warned that Australia’s tax base is shrinking - and without reform, wage earners will carry more of the burden. So, who should pay more tax: workers, wealthy retirees, or big business?
Aug 14, 2025•30 min
How $1 Billion in Retirement Savings Vanished
This week on The Economy, Stupid: the biggest superannuation scandal in Australian history — and who should have stopped it.
Aug 07, 2025•30 min
The First Guardian Super Scandal: How $1 Billion in Retirement Savings Vanished
This week on The Economy, Stupid: the biggest superannuation scandal in Australian history — and who should have stopped it.
Aug 07, 2025•30 min
Inflation is down, so why is uncertainty rising?
Australians are still in work, and inflation is coming down, yet economic uncertainty is far higher now that it was during the peak of COVID. So why are so many of us feeling uneasy?
Jul 31, 2025•29 min
The End of Cash?
If you're not carrying any hard cash on you right now, you're not alone - and that might be a problem. This week we look at Australia’s crumbling cash system: why it’s costing millions to keep it alive, who’s footing the bill, and how close we really are to the end of cash.
Jul 24, 2025•29 min
What's With Trump and Tariffs?
In 2017, Donald Trump reportedly scrawled “trade is bad” in the margins of a speech — a blunt rejection of economic orthodoxy that has transformed global politics. Economists tend to see international trade as good for everyone - a rising tide that lifts all boats. So why do so many voters, in the U.S. and elsewhere, feel like they’re being left behind?
Jul 17, 2025•34 min
A divided RBA
This week the Reserve Bank kept interest rates on hold, that was a shock for the industry, but the most surprising thing? For the first time, they told us the board didn’t agree. Six said hold, three said cut. Why does that matter? Because we know the room is divided and that changes everything. Guests: Nicki Hutley - Senior economist and chief economist at all manner of financial institutions Michael Pascoe - Writes for Michael West Media. Get in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciat...
Jul 10, 2025•29 min
Won't Somebody Think of the Millionaires?
What if you could earn over $1 million and pay nothing in tax? Turns out some Australians already do. Is it time to rethink the rules?
Jul 03, 2025•28 min
How To Fix Tax?
If you could fix the tax system, how would you do it? The Treasurer is looking for ideas, and on Radio National's The Economy, Stupid, we have them. Guests: Miranda Stewart - Director of Tax Law at the University of Melbourne Law School Ben Phillips - Principal Research Fellow at the ANU Centre for Social Research and Methods Get in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming theeconomy.stupid@abc.net.au or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get o...
Jun 26, 2025•29 min
Can We Build It? Embracing Abundance
Treasurer Jim Chalmers thinks Ezra Klein's book, Abundance, is a ripper. Building things directly and sweeping away red tape could soon be part of a productivity measure. An investment arm of the United Arab Emirates wants to buy Australia's Santos. Should the Treasurer impose conditions on approving Australia's biggest-ever resource takeover? Plus, a 'GST Guarantee' for the West. What’s wrong with doling out the revenue from Australia's resources on the basis of need? Guests: Matt McKenzie - Re...
Jun 19, 2025•29 min
Productivity, Climate and a Room Full of Ideas
From Hawke’s 1983 economic summit to Rudd’s 2020 vision, big gatherings have sometimes sparked big reforms. Now Anthony Albanese wants to try again - this time to tackle Australia’s stagnating productivity. Within months, the Australian government will have to present the United Nations climate convention with an updated target for 2035. How are we doing with the target we’ve got? Guests: Michael Janda - ABC News Business Editor Ben Potter - Contributing Editor at The Energy Get in touch: We rea...
Jun 12, 2025•29 min
Wages are up, GDP growth is down, what’s going on
This week we heard GDP growth has dropped, yet we’ve just given ourselves a pay rise. Does it really matter if the economy isn’t growing as much as we would like and is GDP the best measure anyway? What will this mean for inflation? This week we give the economy a health check and look at what this all means for the future of jobs.
Jun 05, 2025•29 min
How to spot the tricks suppliers use to stop us getting a better deal
This week, the chair of the Australian Energy Regulator, Claire Savage, advised us to “shop around” for a better deal as energy prices are set to rise by almost ten per cent, in some places. But how easy is it to shop around? And what happens when supplies don’t make it an even playing field for consumers?
May 29, 2025•29 min
Rates are falling. Inflation is steady. So what now?
The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates. Inflation is under control, unemployment is low, and the forecasts say ‘steady as she goes.’ What do we do when everything works out the way we’ve planned? Guests: Myriam Robin - Senior Writer for the Australian Financial Review Tom Crowley - ABC federal political reporter and previously an economist with the federal treasury Get in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming theeconomy.stupid@abc.net.au or use the ...
May 22, 2025•33 min
The power of monopsony
What if the real problem these days isn’t monopoly, but monopsony? Big buyers are lording over small suppliers; are we seeing low prices as good, no matter how they are achieved? And should our pay increase if we prove to be more productive? Guests: Emilia Terzon - ABC national business reporter Matthew McKenzie - Energy and economics reporter with the West Australian Get in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming theeconomy.stupid@abc.net.au or use th...
May 15, 2025•28 min
Is monopsony worse than monopoly?
Welcome to the world of monopsony - where sellers, not buyers, get the raw deal. So, how does this impact me as a consumer? Then, the link between productivity and a pay increase. Guests: Emilia Terzon - ABC national business reporter Matthew McKenzie - Energy and economics reporter with the West Australian Get in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming theeconomy.stupid@abc.net.au or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention....
May 15, 2025•28 min
Is monopsony better than monopoly?
Welcome to the world of monopsony - where sellers, not buyers, get the raw deal. So, how does this impact me as a consumer? Then, the link between productivity and a pay increase. Guests: Emilia Terzon - ABC national business reporter Matthew McKenzie - Energy and economics reporter with the West Australian Get in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming theeconomy.stupid@abc.net.au or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention....
May 15, 2025•28 min
Reform ready: What Albanese could do now
With a strong second-term mandate, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a rare chance to drive real change. From tax to housing to climate policy, the moment is ripe for long-term reform that could shape Australia’s future for decades. But where to begin? Plus, listener Alex challenges the narrative around government debt and household budgets. Guests: Aruna Sathanapally - Chief executive, and economic prosperity director, of the Grattan Institute Michael Janda - ABC News Business Editor Get in t...
May 08, 2025•34 min
Inflation is down so why do we keep going on about the price of eggs?
Australia’s inflation rate is now firmly in the RBA’s target band, but groceries, rent, and daily essentials still feel painfully expensive. Why is there a disconnect between the data and what we think is our lived reality? The Opposition leader, Peter Dutton, says he wants to cut Australia’s permanent migration program. Is such a cut possible? And could it stem the total net overseas migration? And, costings. We spend $9 million a year on the Parliamentary Budget Office. Shouldn't we get its in...
May 01, 2025•29 min
What exactly is a recession?
It's more than job losses. It's dreams deferred and careers that never get off the ground. Why do the scars last a lifetime? Then, why does the Justice Department want to break up Google? Plus, penalty rates are under the spotlight again, but do they really cost the economy jobs? Guests: Dan Ziffer - ABC national business reporter Rachel Clayton - Business reporter Get in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming theeconomy.stupid@abc.net.au or use the #...
Apr 24, 2025•29 min
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