Australia Matters

Donald Trump pledged to reach a better deal with Iran than the Obama administration negotiated in 2015. He hasn’t – and probably won’t.

On this episode of After America, foreign policy analyst Matt Duss and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the war on Iran, what the administration might be planning with regards to Cuba, the UFC fight on the White House lawn, and what a more progressive Australia-US alliance could look like.

This episode was recorded live on Friday 12 June.

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

Guest: Matt Duss, Executive Vice President, Center for International Policy // @mattduss

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

Show notes:

Shorter America: Alliances crumble; White supremacy at home and abroad; History matters (always) by Emma Shortis, The Point (June 2026)

What’s the Left’s Vision for Foreign Policy After Trump?, The Ezra Klein Show (June 2026)

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]. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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

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

Host: 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 [email protected]. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Private schools have a “parasitic relationship” with public education, says Jane Caro.

On this episode of Follow the Money, recorded live at Politics in the Pub in Canberra, Jane Caro joins Dr Alice Grundy to discuss how Australia came to the most expensive place in the developed world for families to send a child to high school and Jane’s essay for Australia Institute Press, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The battle for public education.

The original conversation was recorded live on 3 June 2026. Stay across all of our events by signing up to our newsletter.

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

Guest: Jane Caro, Walkley Award-winning columnist, novelist & author of Rich Kid, Poor Kid: The battle for public education // @janecaro

Host: Alice Grundy, Managing Editor, Australia Institute Press // @alicektg

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

Show notes:

Rich Kid Poor Kid: The battle for public education by Jane Caro, Vantage Point, the Australia Institute (May 2026)

Australia’s private high school problem by Skye Predavec and Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

Why Australian high schools cost families more than anywhere else in the developed world: explained in 3 charts by Skye Predavec, The Point (February 2026)

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]. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this special episode, we’re joined by two commissioners from the new community-led, independent inquiry into the AUKUS security deal.

This episode was recorded live on Thursday 4 June.

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

Guest: Karina Lester, Yankunytjatjara Anangu woman and International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Australia Ambassador

Guest: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull

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

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb

Show notes:

An independent public inquiry into the AUKUS security partnership

ICAN Australia

Polling – Australia, the US and Iran War, the Australia Institute (May 2026)

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]. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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

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

Host: 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 [email protected]. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Journalist and author Antoinette Lattouf tells the inspiring stories of women’s courage and conviction – and how they have changed our country.

Recorded live as part of our Australia’s Biggest Book Club webinar series, Antoinette Lattouf joins Ebony Bennett to discuss her landmark legal battle with the ABC and her latest book, Women Who Win: Celebrating courage, conviction and change.

The original conversation was recorded live on 29 May 2026. Stay across all of our events and webinars by signing up to our newsletter.

1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via their website.

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

Guest: Antoinette Lattouf, journalist and author of Women Who Win: Celebrating courage, conviction and change // @antoinettelattouf

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

Show notes:

Women Who Win: Celebrating courage, conviction and change by Antoinette Lattouf, Penguin (April 2026)

Josh Bornstein: Working for the Brand, Australia’s Biggest Book Club, 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 [email protected]. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even as the Trump administration facilitates the demise of the international order the United States helped create, the Australian government’s embrace of Aukus ties the two countries ever closer.

On this episode of After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Angus Blackman discuss op-shop submarines, the Democrats’ review of the 2024 election, and Trump’s Iran loop.

This episode was recorded on Monday 1 June.

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

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb

Show notes:

Shorter America: The Iran clown show continues; Trump threatens to bomb an ally (again); Trump doesn’t care by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026)

Democrats Can’t Avoid a Reckoning with Gaza by Matt Duss, The Nation (May 2026)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

Major Aukus switch to buy only secondhand subs from US means ‘significant’ cost savings, Marles says by Tom McIlroy & Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

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]. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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

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

Host: 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 [email protected]. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government’s latest reforms don’t do nearly enough to protect Australians from gambling harm.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Martin Thomas from the Alliance for Gambling Reform and Morgan Harrington from the Australia Institute join Ebony Bennett to discuss how Australians came to have the biggest per capita gambling losses in the world, how online sports betting is turbocharging the damage caused by gambling, and the government’s straw man argument about “balance” when it comes to reform.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 26 May.

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.

Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.

Guest: Martin Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Alliance for Gambling Reform

Guest: Morgan Harrington, Research Manager, the Australia Institute // @mhharrington

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

Show notes:

Polling – banning gambling advertisements, the Australia Institute (May 2026)

Teenage gambling in Australia by Matt Saunders and Morgan Harrington, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

Worth a Punt – 2% Levy on Gambling Revenue Could Replace Free-To-Air Advertising Spend by Stephen Long and David Richardson, the Australia Institute (August 2024)

‘A thousand days of inaction on gambling reform’ by Tim Costello, The Saturday Paper (March 2026)

New research shows kids are targeted with alcohol, gambling and junk food ads online, Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education (June 2024)

Football’s secret gambling deal exposed | Four Corners, Australian Broadcasting Corporation on YouTube (June 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]. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the global upheaval caused by the Trump administration, the Australian government is trying to plough on with AUKUS as if Biden was still in charge.

On this episode of After America, Guardian Australia journalist Ben Doherty joins Dr Emma Shortis to discuss the likelihood of the Australia ever receiving a nuclear-powered submarine, the “dangerously undemocratic” secrecy around key elements of the AUKUS agreement, and Australia’s significantly changed strategic environment.

This episode was recorded on Friday 22 May.

You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.

Guest: Ben Doherty, Senior Reporter, Guardian Australia

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

Show notes:

Aukus nuclear submarine base would ‘place a massive target on our backs’, NSW labour union warns by Krishani Dhanji & Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

As Aukus spending and delays blow out, will Australia’s nuclear submarines ever materialise? by Ben Doherty, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

Shorter America: Ivy League brain; These men; Shared fates, shared future by Emma Shortis, The Point (May 2026)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

WEBINAR | Submarine Dreams: understanding Australia’s commitment to AUKUS, the Australia Institute (October 2026)

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]. Subscribe to After America on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.