Follow The Money

Welcome to our first Follow The Money summer special! If you're taking a break this summer, but still craving a political fix - we are here to help. Over the summer we'll bring you the highlights from The Australia Institute's popular Politics in the Publive sessions from 2016. In this episode you'll hear our 2016 political wrap from earlier this month, featuring our Executive Director Ben Oquist and special guests:Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a special mini-episode we've dubbed "Pocket Money" we take a look at the recent developments with Adani's Carmichael coal mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House prices - what is to blame? Our economists look at the claim from the Prime Minister that the ABCC was needed to stop 'union thugs' pushing up house prices. They also look at the tax breaks for investors. No prizes for guessing what the evidence shows is actually effecting house prices.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much is a hole in the ground worth? Australia has considered building a nuclear waste dump many times over the decades. Each time, the proposal has fallen through. This time, in South Australia, proponents are making $100 billion dollar claims. Richard and Rod take a look at those claims and the economics of building nuclear waste dumps.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economic models are like a lot of things in life: What you get out of them depends on what you put in. But therein lies the problem. When reporting focuses on the 'findings' without looking at what assumptions underpin politically influential economic models, it leaves us vulnerable to what Richard calls the 'peak-stupid of econobabble'.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interest rates may be one of the most discussed and least understood area of economics in Australia. Our Chief Economist and Senior Economist discuss the whats and whys of Reserve Bank policy and how interest rates really effect people and the broader economy. Contributors: Richard Denniss - @RDNS_TAI  Matt Grudnoff - @MattGrudnoff Ebony Bennett - @ebony_bennett. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Australia live without coal? Episode 7 of Follow the Money looks at the economics of coal and how a moratorium on new mines would help stop the boom and inevitable bust cycle, and instead create a smooth transition to a low carbon future. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 6, we tackle the perennial favourite of politicians in an election year - income tax cuts. Do personal income tax cuts really lead to economic growth and job creation? Does more money in the wallet increase incentives and make people work harder? We put those claims to the test. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australia Institute's podcast series, Follow the Money, this week takes on Company Tax. What is it? How much does it raise? Who pays it? Who is saying that we should cut it, and 'cui bono' - who benefits? Contributors:Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode four of Follow The Money is a special edition - In conversation with Richard Denniss about the subject and title of his new book: Econobabble. So what is econobabble? Ebony Bennett talks to Richard Denniss about why we shouldn't be afraid of upsetting 'the markets' and how you can call commentators on their bullsh*t. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.