Dollars & Sense

Until a 25% gas export tax is put in place, Australians are missing out on billions every year that could be used to support people through the living standards crisis. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the prime minister’s national address on the impacts of the US-Israel war on Iran, policy responses to fuel price hikes, Australia’s gas giveaway and Greg’s visit to a gas conference. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 2 April 2026. Check out our Australia’s Gas Giveaway live tracker. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Prices skyrocket but major fuel shortages “very unlikely”, Follow the Money (April 2026) Australia’s land value has gone through the roof. Where does that leave young people who want to buy a home? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026) Fuel costs and RBA hikes equal to a 90 basis point rate rise: 'this is brutal' by Greg Jericho, The Point (March 2026) Fuelling inequality: The brunt of a global crisis should not be borne by people in poverty by Kristin O’Connell, The Point (March 2026) The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (March 2026) Tax gas exports, invest in health/aged care – new polls, the Australia Institute (March 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: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite big talk from the government about punishing any fuel retailers profiteering from the global energy crisis, many forms of price gouging remain perfectly legal. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Matt and Elinor discuss how profits are driving inflation, why the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission doesn’t have the power to take on price gouging properly, and why migration is not causing Australia’s housing crisis. Then, the wheels come off talking about the meat industry. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 26 March 2026. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: The data shows Australia’s population growth isn’t out of control, it has simply returned to trend by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (March 2026) Rising profit margins turbocharged Australia’s latest inflation figures – but something worse is just around the corner by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2026) Profit push is back: the increase in inflation is due to profits by Greg Jericho and Dave Richardson, The Point (March 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: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians are already paying a price for the illegal US-Israel war on Iran, so why did the Reserve Bank double down and raise rates again? On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the economic impact of the US and Israel’s war on Iran, the Reserve Bank’s decision to raise interest rates, and why changes to the capital gains tax discount might finally be on the way. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 19 March 2026. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Never waste a fuel crisis: the Albanese government must seize the moment and start taxing gas companies by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2026) New Analysis: Mid-East war’s hit to Australian economy, how to reduce its impact, the Australia Institute (March 2026) Report on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount, Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount, Parliament of Australia (March 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You’re meant to tax things you want less of and subsidise things you want more of – yet Australian governments are handing out $16.3 billion in fossil fuel subsidies this financial year. Elinor is back but Greg is away, so Matt Grudnoff jumps in to talk about Australia’s absurd fossil fuel subsidies, fuel security in the wake of the US-Israel war on Iran, and why the AI bubble will probably burst, even if the technology turns out to be a win overall. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 March 2026. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Australian fossil fuel subsidies growing faster than NDIS, hitting $16.3 billion in 2025-26, the Australia Institute (March 2026) New Analysis: Mid-East war’s hit to Australian economy, how to reduce its impact, the Australia Institute (March 2026) Debugging the Productivity Commission’s claim that AI will boost Australia’s GDP by $116 Billion by Matt Saunders, The Point Live (March 2026) Labor must stop juicing house prices and make buying a home the Australian dream – not negatively gearing one by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The joint US-Israel war on Iran could have serious, lasting impacts on the global economy. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Skye discuss the economic impact of the illegal US-Israel war on Iran, the latest Australian GDP data, and why the Reserve Bank seems to want more Australians to be unemployed. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 5 March 2026. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Skye Predavec, Researcher, the Australia Institute // @skyelark Show notes: Australia’s GDP growth is partly due to government spending. So why isn’t the Coalition complaining? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2026) The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos, After America, the Australia Institute (March 2026) ACTU plan would fix gas policy mess and raise $12.5b for Australians, the Australia Institute (August 2025) Tax: Beer drinkers vs gas companies by Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (February 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia is a low taxing nation, but Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson still seems to want the highest earners to pay less. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Skye discuss Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson’s call for tax cuts, why tariffs won’t be replacing income tax despite Donald Trump’s claims, Australia’s bizarre subsidies for fossil fuels, and why Greg reckons he wouldn’t take a tasty pay rise to go to the dark side. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 26 February 2026. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Skye Predavec, Researcher, the Australia Institute // @skyelark Show notes: Finally fixing capital gains tax is good – but linking it to another tax cut for Australia’s rich is bollocks by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026) Australia’s most costly anti-climate policy hits taxpayers for $30m a day as calls mount to wind back fuel tax credits by Adam Morton, Guardian Australia (February 2026) ACCC alleges Coles mimicked Woolworths in ‘disguising’ big price hikes by Max Mason and Carrie LaFrenz, Australian Financial Review (February 2026) Corporate profits increase inflation, the Australia Institute (December 2024) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wages aren’t driving higher inflation, so why do workers always seem to cop the blame? On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Angus discuss why Coles is in court over its pricing, whether it’s time to panic with government debt set to hit $1 trillion, and the role of corporate profits in driving inflation. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 18 February 2026. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb Show notes: As real wage growth falls again, Australian workers must feel the economy is rigged against them by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026) Joseph Stiglitz on super profits, capital gains and why corporate tax is good for democracy, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (February 2026) Corporate profits increase inflation, the Australia Institute (December 2024) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the back of ongoing tax concessions primarily benefitting the wealthiest and the government’s five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers, Australia has just broken a new record for average home loan size. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the persistent rumours of changes to the capital gains tax discount, why government spending isn’t to blame for the latest inflation increase, and the impact of the federal government’s five per cent deposit scheme on lending figures (and don’t discuss wages as promised last week, cus Greg can’t read a calendar). This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 February 2026. What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping. You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Will the government finally deliver a housing policy that stops making a bad situation worse? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026) “They rushed this”: why the Reserve Bank got it wrong by raising rates, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (February 2026) Profit in home lending by David Richardson, the Australia Institute (February 2026) Submission to the Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (February 2026) Australia’s great gas giveaway by Mark Ogge, Rod Campbell and Piers Verstegan, the Australia Institute (May 2024) 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The privatisation of Australian high school education, originally led by the Howard government, has caused prices to soar. On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the Reserve Bank’s decision to raise interest rates and the absurdity of elite private schools receiving substantial public funding. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 5 February 2026. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off the regular price – offer available for a limited time only. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: Australian high schools the most expensive in the world – new research, the Australia Institute (February 2026) What are the odds? The RBA has raised interest rates – for no real reason other than to meet the desires of speculators by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026) “They rushed this”: why the Reserve Bank got it wrong by raising rates, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (February 2026) RBA rate rise: we're in for a bumpy ride by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (January 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even the Mathias Cormann-led OECD says the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing are a problem. On the first episode of Dollars & Sense for 2026, Greg and Elinor discuss why the Radical Left Lunatics at the OECD think Australia’s property investor tax concessions are busted, why inflation is your fault (*for shame*), AUKUS spending, and that one time Greg went too hard on New Year’s Eve. This discussion was recorded on Thursday 29 January 2026. A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off the regular price – offer available for a limited time only. Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek Show notes: The easy thing for the RBA to do next week is raise interest rates. The smart move is to wait by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (December 2025) Beware the headlines: Most of December’s CPI “jump” was driven by costly summer travel by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (January 2026) OECD says it’s time to cut the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing by Greg Jericho, The Point (January 2026) All the money, none of the submarines: AUKUS deal paying upfront for hopes and dreams by Greg Jericho, The Point (January 2026) How Australia can chart its own course in an uncertain world, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (January 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.Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.