Dollars & Sense

Early super access proposals would ultimately make people worse off – but the government could do more to help Australians currently in need. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss One Nation’s superannuation proposal, ways the government could provide genuine cost-of-living support, the Reserve Bank’s twisted thinking over inflation and interest rates, and Barnaby Joyce’s run-from-Jesus moment. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 10 September 2026. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Horror warnings about Australia’s ‘collapsing’ housing market are absurd – and very much in bad faith by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (August 2026) The fight on super misses the point by Greg Jericho, The Point (September 2026) Superannuation tax concessions are making inequality worse by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (July 2024) Why a rate rise is now looking increasingly likely by Greg Jericho, The Point (September 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s economy is not overheating, so why are experts predicting a rate hike? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg gets triggered by the growth figures, before he and Elinor discuss how the states and territories have missed out on a lazy quarter-trillion and why access to specialist healthcare is slipping out of reach for many Australians. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 3 September 2026. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Australia’s economy limps along, but the RBA should take a closer look before raising interest rates again by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (August 2026) RBA's own research shows that profits drove post-pandemic inflation, not wages by Greg Jericho, The Point (September 2026) The quarter of a trillion dollar shortfall leaving states and territories scrambling , the Australia Institute (September 2026) How can Australia ensure universal access to medical specialist care? by Luke Slawomirski, The Point (August 2026) Millions delay or skip appointments as specialist care become too expensive for many Australians – new research , the Australia Institute (August 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Profits are surging and living standards are not. Will the AI boom be any different? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Angus discuss the carve-out for Queensland and Northern Territory data centres that’ll allow them to run off coal and gas, the skyrocketing profits of some of Australia’s biggest companies, and the east coast vs west coast beef over GST revenue. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 27 August 2026. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: What will we get out of the AI boom? The data suggests lots of noisy, energy-hungry datacentres and not much else by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (August 2026) What do they mean by "energy agnostic?" by Fiona Katauskas, The Point (August 2026) Wages are not to blame for rising inflation by David Richardson, Greg Jericho & Matt Saunders, the Australia Institute (February 2026) Australia’s gas giveaway , the Australia Institute Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The latest data show real wages are going backwards, but Reserve Bank keeps seeing ghosts. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss another quarter of no “wage-price spiral”, plus the passage of massive NDIS cuts and gambling legislation through parliament. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 20 August 2026. If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or visit Gambling Help Online at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au . If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au . More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Australia’s drop in real wages is a disaster. But the profits of major corporations are doing just fine by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (August 2026) Polling – banning gambling advertisements , the Australia Institute (May 2026) National Gambling Toll , the Australia Institute Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interest rates are the bluntest, sharpest tool. Is there a better way? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss why superannuation could be a better way to control inflation than interest rates, the continued hand-wringing about house prices falling a tiny bit after skyrocketing for years, and why Andrew Bragg has communism on the brain. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 12 August 2026. Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Isn’t it amazing what a policy that actually tackles the cause of outrageous house prices can do? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (August 2026) What’s the Point of the Reserve Bank of Australia? , What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss (August 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new Reserve Bank survey shows most Australians don’t assess the relationship between inflation and interest rates “correctly” – but there’s much more to it. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor go back to the basics of inflation, living costs and interest rates to show that how they interact really isn’t all that basic. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 6 August 2026. More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is available now. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: The RBA says rate rises don’t really increase living costs. But the data is clear – they very much do by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (July 2026) What’s the Point of the Reserve Bank of Australia? , What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss (August 2026) ‘Impoverishing millions’: Richard Denniss says the RBA needs to rethink how it fights inflation by Tegan George, The Point (August 2026) Listening to Australians: A New RBA Survey of the Community , the Reserve Bank of Australia (July 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wealth on Earth is up, apparently. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss the better-than-expected inflation figures, the global oversupply of once-in-a-lifetime crises, and what the ominous-sounding ‘global balance sheet’ tells us about wealth on Earth. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 30 July 2026. Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: The likelihood of the RBA raising interest rates has fallen. Have we finally come to our senses? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (July 2026) Latest inflation figures strengthen case for RBA to hold rates by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (July 2026) Workers have paid the price for inflation driven by corporate profits, OECD report confirms by Greg Jericho, The Point (July 2026) Global balance sheet , McKinsey Institute (July 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite no action on a gas export tax in the government’s May budget, calls are growing louder for a fair return on Australia’s resources from within the Labor Party. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg returns! He and Elinor discuss the ALP National Conference in Adelaide, the economic impact of the ongoing American war on Iran, and the failures of Australia’s privatised employment services system. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 22 July 2026. Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Pressure is growing inside Labor to properly tax gas exports. Here’s what a 25% tax could pay for by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (July 2026) 'The time has arrived' to review gas exports tax: Bill Shorten , The Point (July 2026) Australia's jobseeker system fails workers and enriches millionaires, report says by Gareth Hutchens, ABC News (July 2026) Who’s rorting who? The failure of outsourced job services , Centre for International Corporate Tax Accountability and Research (July 2026) Christopher Nolan finds the 'complicated man' at the heart of The Odyssey by Greg Jericho, The Point (July 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing The Australia Institute's new podcast series, What's the Point? with Richard Denniss . Subscribe to the show on YouTube , Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. *** On this episode of What’s the Point? , Richard Denniss discusses how global gas industry has pulled off the greatest con in Australia’s history, and why Australians are living with the consequences. He spells out the simple steps we need to take to fix it. This episode was recorded on Friday 10 July. Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang Show notes: A National Plebiscite for a 25% Gas Export Tax , the Australia Institute More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, Australia Institute Press (forthcoming) Climate Integrity Summit 2026 tickets For more research and analysis, visit The Point. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The tech industry talks about huge investment in Australia. That sounds great, but who’ll actually benefit? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Matt Grudnoff joins Elinor to discuss Anthony Albanese’s speech on artificial intelligence, lessons for data centre regulation from Australia’s experience with the gas industry, Barnaby Joyce’s vision for the Reserve Bank, and Matt’s guide to voodoo. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 16 July 2026. Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble . Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: The PM has pledged to protect artists’ copyright. But without action on AI theft it is all hot air by Alice Grundy, The Conversation (July 2026) The Wrap: No, a drop in house prices isn't a calamity. It means housing is finally becoming more affordable by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (July 2026) One Nation’s economic thought bubbles have little substance – except for one by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (July 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An outright ban on gambling advertising would be extremely popular – so why isn’t the government doing it? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Matt Grudnoff joins Elinor to talk about the federal government’s “piss poor” online gambling reforms and the push to pay super to under 18s. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 9 July 2026. If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional and confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Or visit Gambling Help Online at www.gamblinghelponline.org.au . If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au . Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Check out the new Australia Institute podcast series, What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss . It’s available now on YouTube , Apple Podcasts , Spotify or wherever you get your favourite shows. Show notes: National Gambling Toll , the Australia Institute Online gambling “reshaping a whole generation” as government reforms fall well short , Follow the Money , the Australia Institute (May 2026) Only thing standing in way of gambling reform is government’s cowardice by Morgan Harrington & Jack Thrower, The New Daily (November 2025) Super for under-18s is a gendered issue, costing women up to $11,000 at retirement by Gemma Killen, The Point (July 2026) Polling – banning gambling advertisements , the Australia Institute (May 2026) Teenage gambling in Australia by Matt Saunders and Morgan Harrington, the Australia Institute (April 2025) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some in the media are treating it like the beginning of a housing apocalypse, but a slight drop in house prices shows that the government’s housing investor tax reforms are doing their job. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Matt Grudnoff joins Elinor discuss the positive impact of the government’s changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, why migration hasn’t caused the housing crisis, and concerns about negative equity and grandfathering of the policies. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 2 July 2026. Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: No, rents won’t increase by $2,000 a year because of changes to negative gearing by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (June 2026) It may be time to calm the farm on falling house prices by Greg Jericho, The Point (June 2026) The housing reforms are cooling investor demand and slowing the market. That's the point by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (June 2026) The CGT discount, not a lack of supply, is driving house prices up by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (June 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plus: how the One Nation leader got all tangled up over childcare and paid parental leave. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss Pauline Hanson’s comments on paid parental leave and childcare, the latest inflation data, the passage of the government’s capital gains tax and negative gearing changes, and the new ‘no Gregs’ club. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 25 June 2026. Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Capital gains tax changes are already having an impact on wealth inequality – and vested interests are running scared by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (June 2026) Housing concentrated in the hands of a few investors as young people are locked out by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (June 2026) Caring for children is the major barrier to work for women by Greg Jericho and staff writers, The Point (June 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new data drop by the Australian Tax Office has A) brought Greg great joy and B) shed new light on Australians’ incomes. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss the latest interest rates decision, Greg and Matt Grudnoff’s field trip to a Senate committee, and why one newspaper is running a front-page story about Pokémon card collectors and capital gains. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 18 June 2026. Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: The bleak view that unemployment needs to rise shows the RBA acts firstly in the interests of companies, not workers by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (June 2026) Ninety millionaires paid no tax in 2023–24. New ATO data shows why tax reform matters by Greg Jericho & Matt Grudnoff, The Point (June 2026) The housing reforms are cooling investor demand and slowing the market. That's the point by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (June 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cuts to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) funding would have a serious, lasting impact on people living with disabilities and their families. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss the latest house price data and the ongoing fearmongering around the changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing. Then, Greg shares the positive impact NDIS funding as had on his family – and what it could mean if the government’s proposed cuts pass through the parliament. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 11 June 2026. Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: For those shedding a tear over house prices falling, these numbers may change your mind by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (June 2026) Health minister wants to cut disability support by 99% without legislation by Greg Jericho, Deepcut News (June 2026) Are we being misled about NDIS fraud? Yes, we are. by Chris Coombes, The Point (June 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With what little economic growth there is being driven by data centres, is it really a net positive for most Australians? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss the decision to lift minimum and award wages and what the latest GDP figures mean for Australian households. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 4 June 2026. Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Australia’s GDP figures are meaningless when the boom in datacentres means destroying jobs and the climate by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026) Clouded Future: Managing the risks of the data centre boom , Climate Council (June 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coverage of One Nation’s gas policy made it sound like the beginning of some kind of people’s revolution, but without a 25% gas export tax, Australians will get short-changed. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss Pauline Hanson’s gas policy announcement, the failure at the heart of Australia’s employment services system, and what the latest inflation data could mean for interest rates. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 28 May 2026. Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Australians with disabilities copped the biggest cuts in the budget. Yet conservative media’s heart bleeds only for the wealthy by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026) The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (May 2026) Australia's Gas Giveaway , the Australia Institute Why the industry loves Hanson’s gas policy – and Labor won’t by Amy Remeikis, The Point (May 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia could raise around $17 billion a year with a 25% gas export tax – enough to put dental in Medicare or fund free childcare – but the government is choosing not to. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Angus discuss why Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australia Institute needs to get “fair dinkum” about gas exports, the post-budget meme-wars over capital gains tax, and the “death tax” scare campaign. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 21 May 2026. Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, Podcasts, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB Show notes: Death, taxes and scare campaigns: here’s the truth about Labor’s budget changes by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026) Keating backs CGT reforms, says Howard changes made house prices "blast off" by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026) Government CGT Changes – Structurally Sound , statement by former Prime Minister Paul Keating (May 2026) Conservative newspapers are stoking fears CGT changes will hurt young Australians — despite very few being affected by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026) The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (May 2026) Australia's Gas Giveaway , the Australia Institute Richard Denniss responds to Anthony Albanese , the Australia Institute on BlueSky (May 2026) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government’s changes to capital gains and negative gearing will begin to undo decades of damage to the housing market caused by Howard-era policies – so will Elinor actually be able to buy a house? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss the federal budget, the latest wages data, and why the government is making Australian workers wait-o for the WATO. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 14 May 2026. Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Australian workers have been hard done by and tax reforms in the budget only begin to return some fairness by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026) The budget in seven graphs: no big surprises but this may be one of the most ambitious moves to fix Australia’s finances by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026) Budget 2026: serious housing reforms but a missed opportunity to tax gas exports , Follow the Money , the Australia Institute (May 2026) Budget 2026: Treasurer's speech, annotated by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026) Submission to the Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (December 2025) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interest rates won’t affect the global oil price shock brought about by the illegal US war on Iran – so why did the Reserve Bank hike them again? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss the rationale for the Reserve Bank’s third interest rate hike for 2026 and how changing the way trusts are taxed could reduce inequality. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 7 May 2026. Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut H ost: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: In this budget, all eyes are on CGT. But Labor’s rumoured family trust tweaks might also help fight tax inequality by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026) RBA’s decision to raise rates hurts Australians for no reason by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026) Monetary Policy Decision – May 2026 , Reserve Bank of Australia A tragic birth, and death, in a tent – and still our poorest must pay by Amy Remeikis, The Point (May 2026) Profit-Price Inflation: Theory, International Evidence, and Policy Implications , the Australia Institute (September 2023) Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au . Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.