Australia Matters

Australia needs an electoral system that’s genuinely fair, not a two-tiered system that favours the major parties.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Democracy & Accountability Director Bill Browne joins us to discuss the latest political donations data and why tens of thousands of Australians are concerned about the Government’s proposed electoral changes.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 4 February 2025 and things may have changed since recording. 

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. 

Guest: Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability, the Australia Institute // @browne90

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett

Show notes: 

Electoral Reform Bill analysis by Bill Browne and Joshua Black, the Australia Institute (February 2025)

SIGN NOW: Protect our elections!, 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 [email protected].

Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We discuss US tariffs against its three largest trading partners, the political battle over who gets to be American, and Trump’s imperial ambitions.

On this episode of After America, Associate Professor Clare Corbould joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the relentlessness of the new Trump administration and the media coverage of his first two weeks in office.

This discussion was recorded on Friday 31 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Clare Corbould, Associate Head of School, Research, Faculty of Arts and Education, Deakin University // @clarecorbould

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis

Show notes:

Presidency Pending hosted by Clare Corbould and Zim Nwokora, Deakin University

Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism by Yanis Varoufakis (September 2023)

Becoming African Americans: Black Public Life in Harlem, 1919–1939 by Clare Corbould (March 2009)

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 [email protected].

Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Slashing public service jobs won’t make government more efficient.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the December quarter inflation figures, the political battle over the economy, and Dutton’s appointment of Jacinta Nampijinpa Price to an Elon Musk-style ‘government efficiency’ position.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 30 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14.

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut

Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek

Show notes:

'No more excuses: the time has come for the RBA to cut interest rates’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (January 2025)

After America, the Australia Institute

‘Project 2025, the policy substance behind Trump’s showmanship, reveals a radical plan to reshape the world’ by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (April 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 [email protected].

Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump has been issuing Executive Orders and dominating the media cycle, trying to radically reshape America and the world in the process.  

On this special crossover episode of After America and Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss the role of Elon Musk, Trump’s pause on all US foreign aid, his ability to ‘flood the zone’, and how this all affects Australia.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 28 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording. 

Get your tickets for the Australia Institute’s Climate Integrity Summit 2025 now. 

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. 

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis 

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett 

Show notes: 

'Think the past will protect Australia from Trump’s future? Think again' by Emma Shortis, The Sydney Morning Herald (January 2025) 

The Pacific Islands: Background and Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service (November 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 [email protected]. 

Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump has been issuing Executive Orders and dominating the media cycle, trying to radically reshape America and the world in the process.   

On this special crossover episode of After America and Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss the role of Elon Musk, Trump’s pause on all US foreign aid, his ability to ‘flood the zone’, and just how much better he is at it this time around.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 28 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording. 

Get your tickets for the Australia Institute’s Climate Integrity Summit 2025 now. 

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. 

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis 

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett 

Show notes: 

‘Think the past will protect Australia from Trump’s future? Think again’ by Emma Shortis, The Sydney Morning Herald (January 2025) 

The Pacific Islands: Background and Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service (November 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 [email protected]. 

Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Superannuation tax concessions benefit the richest Australians most – so why is the government finding it so hard to make modest changes to the system?

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss fearful grandmas, angry farmers and the political fight over superannuation reforms.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 23 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut

Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek

Show notes:

‘Misleading fear campaigns may kill Labor’s superannuation changes. But here are the real numbers’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (January 2025)

“Much-needed” super changes should pass, the Australia Institute (January 2025)

Reducing poverty in retirement by Minh Ngoc Le, Greg Jericho and Morgan Harrington, the Australia Institute (October 2024)

‘New $3m super tax is ‘stealing my children’s inheritance’, Australian Financial Review (July 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 [email protected].

Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Denniss joins the show to discuss Trump’s inauguration and the upcoming federal election.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to examine the year ahead in federal politics and how the Trump presidency could impact Australia.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 21 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

australiainstitute.org.au // @australiainstitute

Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

LA fires add to climate insurance crisis, the Australia Institute (January 2025)

Rate cut already overdue: RBA should meet in January, the Australia Institute (December 2025)

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 [email protected].

Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second Trump era has begun.

On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss Trump’s inauguration, his radical agenda to reshape American life and the United States’ role in the world, and how Australia can respond.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 21 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

Get your tickets for the Australia Institute’s Climate Integrity Summit 2025 now.

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Allan Behm, Special Advisor in International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute

Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis

Show notes:

‘Trump promises a second term focused on immigration and nationalism – as well as revenge and retribution’ by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (January 2025)

‘Joe Biden’s presidency will be remembered as one that did not match the times, and a leader who failed to realise it’ by Liam Byrne and Emma Shortis, The Conversation (January 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 [email protected].

Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the wake of the catastrophic LA fires, how do the Australian major parties shape up on climate policy?

As natural disasters grow more and more frequent, causing devastating destruction, and making cost-of-living more expensive, the two major parties in Australia seem happy to be talking about the nuclear nothing-burger, while sweeping coal mine extensions under the rug. This week on Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss what the next election might look like in the face of climate change.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 16 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut

Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek

Show notes:

‘Australians should be angry about another year of climate inaction. But don’t let your anger turn into despair’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (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 [email protected].

Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Marr discusses the frontier wars and the shocking family discovery that led to his award-winning book, Killing for Country.

On this Summer Book Club episode of Follow the Money, renowned journalist and author David Marr joins Ebony Bennett to discuss Killing for Country, his award-winning account of politics and power in colonial Australia.

This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 24 January 2024 and things may have changed since recording.

To join our free Australia’s Biggest Book Club webinars live, register via our website. 

Order the first book from our new imprint, What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. 

Guest: David Marr, journalist and author

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, The Australia Institute // @ebonybennett 

Show notes: 

Killing for Country: A family story by David Marr, Black Inc. (October 2023) 

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 [email protected].

Support Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.