Follow The Money

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, via the Australia Institute website. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow and Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute // @StephenLongAus Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // @alicektg Show notes: Premium price: The impact of climate change on insurance costs, the Australia Institute (November 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 recorded on Thursday 24 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. Pre-order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome // @SDDecleve Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // @alicekgt Show notes: Earth for All – A Survival Guide for Humanity, The Club of Rome (2022) The Limits to Growth, The Club of Rome (1972) ‘COP28 did not deliver. We need better global governance and brave leadership’ by Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Reuters (December 2023) Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia 2024, The Australia Institute (May 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 // @theausinstitute Guest: Allan Behm, International & Security Affairs Advisor, the Australia Institute // @Mirandaprorsus Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: The Odd Couple: the Australia-America relationship by Allan Behm (2024) No Enemies No Friends: Restoring Australia’s Global Relevance by Allan Behm (2022) Fear of Abandonment: Australia in the World since 1942 by Allan Gyngell (2021) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: Queensland election: A clear message to Federal Labor, the Australia Institute (October 2024) ‘Federal Labor’s lesson from Qld defeat: bold progressive policies provide a pathway to a second term’ by Stephen Long, the Australia Institute (October 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.auSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 content from the Australia Institute’s Transparency Summit 2024 on our website or via the Australia Institute on YouTube. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability Program, the Australia Institute // @Browne90 Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: Secrecy is not security, Bill Browne (October 2024) Labor and Democracy, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP (December 2019) Making freedom of information “sexy” with Rex Patrick, Follow the Money (April 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Paul Bongiorno, columnist, The Saturday Paper and The New Daily // @PaulBongiorno Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: ‘Dutton takes a high-risk stance on the Middle East’ by Paul Bongiorno, The Saturday Paper (October 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 // @theausinstitute Guest: Margaret Beavis, Co-Director, Quit Nukes // @margaretbeavis Guest: Adam Gottschalk, Anne Kantor Research Fellow, the Australia Institute // @adamchalksitup Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: Risky Business: An update on super funds and nuclear weapons by Rosemary Kelly and Margaret Beavis (September 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 House, presented by the Australia Institute as part of its 30 Years of Big Ideas. This discussion was recorded live on Tuesday 1 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Senator Nick McKim, Greens Economic Justice and Treasury Spokesperson and Senator for Tasmania // @NickMcKim Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: ‘ACCC Suing Supermarkets as Price Gouging Drives Inflation, Rate Hikes’, The Australia Institute (September 2024) ‘Coles, Woolies’ Secret Pricing Deal Undercuts Inflation Claims’, The Australia Institute (September 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 change. Join President José Ramos-Horta at 6pm AEDT, Tuesday 8 October for an evening of conversation at the Sydney Opera House, presented by the Australia Institute as part of its 30 Years of Big Ideas. This discussion was recorded live on Thursday 19 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: George Monbiot, author, columnist and environmental campaigner // @GeorgeMonbiot Host: Polly Hemming, Climate & Energy Director, the Australia Institute // @pollyjhemming Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism by Peter Hutchison and George Monbiot (June 2024) Coal Mine Tracker, The Australia Institute ‘Coal Mine Approvals Undermine Climate Goals, Government Rhetoric’, The Australia Institute (September 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 House, presented by the Australia Institute as part of its 30 Years of Big Ideas. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 17 September 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, the Australia Institute // @GrogsGamut Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @MattGrudnoff Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Australian Studies Institute // @markgkenny Host: Ebony Bennett, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: 'The PM can ill-afford bad weeks as narratives harden' by Mark Kenny, The Canberra Times (September 2024) Public spending keeps the economy going as the private sector is hit by rate rises by Matt Grudnoff, The Australia Institute (September 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 & Arts Alliance (MEAA) discuss technology, trust and the future of the media. This discussion was recorded live on Wednesday 21 August 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: The Hon Ed Husic MP, Minister for Industry and Science Guest: Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, Greens Arts & Communications spokesperson // @sarahinthesen8 Guest: Karen Percy, Federal President (Media), Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) // @PercyKaren Host: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 problem of inequality and what we can do to fix it. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 20 August 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Guest: David Richardson, Senior Research Fellow, the Australia Institute // @daverr01 Host: Alice Grundy, Anne Kantor Research Manager, the Australia Institute // @alicektg Show notes: Wealth and inequality in Australia by David Richardson and Frank Stilwell, the Australia Institute (August 2024) ‘The Morrison election: What we know now’ by Richard Denniss, The Monthly (June 2019) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Tuesday 13 August 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Joseph Stiglitz, Nobel Prize-winning economist // @JosephEStiglitz Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Tuesday 6 August 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Paul Bongiorno, columnist, The Saturday Paper and The New Daily // @PaulBongiorno Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @GrogsGamut Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @GrogsGamut Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: ‘Who benefits? The high cost of super tax concessions’ by Minh Ngoc Le (June 2024) ‘Superannuation tax concessions are making inequality worse’ by Greg Jericho (July 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions You can see Professor Joseph E Stiglitz speak live in several cities across Australia as part of the Australia Institute’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Tickets are available via our website. 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Host: Emma Shortis, Senior Research for International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions You can see Professor Joseph E Stiglitz speak live in several cities across Australia as part of the Australia Institute’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Tickets are available via our website. 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 in Australian politics and how they might influence the next election. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 16 July 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Show notes: Power sharing in Australian parliament by Bill Browne and Richard Denniss (July 2024) Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions You can see Professor Joseph E Stiglitz speak live in several cities across Australia as part of the Australia Institute’s 30th anniversary celebrations. Tickets are available via our website. 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 this episode of Follow the Money, Sebastien Lai and Jennifer Robinson, legal counsel to Julian Assange, join Ebony Bennett to discuss the fight to free Mr Lai and the global threats to freedom of the press. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 2 July 2024 and things may have changed since recording. australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute Guest: Sebastien Lai, son of Jimmy Lai // @SupportJimmyLai Guest: Jennifer Robinson, legal counsel to Jimmy Lai and Julian Assange // @suigenerisjen Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.