The last week of the long election campaign started with the leaders of both major parties reinforcing their ideas for Australia’s economy, in the face of the volatility created by the UK’s exit from the European Union.

The international instability may be playing to the Coalition’s strengths, while also calling into question Labor’s plan to increase the budget deficit, explains Saul Eslake, economist and Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Tasmania.

Australia needs it’s AAA credit rating now more than ever. However the Coalition’s clamouring about the need to reduce the amount of tax as a percentage of GDP may not be as crucial to economic success as it makes out.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is working with its regulatory counterpart, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), to attract financial technology (fintech) startups by offering them a deal.

ASIC and MAS will offer fintech startups from both countries a chance to be a part of a “sandbox.” This is a safe space where the regulators waive some of the usual harsh penalties for mistakes, in exchange for learning more about what regulations are needed to keep up with this fast developing area of the digital economy.

This deal comes as questions are raised about the security of the using technology like the Blockchain in finance, which is yet to fall under international standards.

The risks are clear but will ASIC’s collaboration bring rewards?

The nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, which has killed 49 people and injured 53 others, has shocked the world. Details are still emerging about the shooter and his possible motivations but it has been described as both an act of hate, and terrorism.

Michael Jetter is a political economist who is studying both the way the media reports - and feeds into - the actions and aims of terrorists, as well as the socio-economic environment which fosters such individuals. The emerging picture is not what we may think.

A warning, this episode contains news reports of the shooting with graphic details. If you are upset and need to talk to someone, call Lifeline on 13 11 14

Additional music in the podcast from Kai Engel.

Australia’s Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has only been in operation since 2012, but been used to cost the policies of the federal government, the Opposition and minor parties alike in this election campaign.

While the results are often fuel for the political fire, the PBO attempts to remain resolutely above the fray. But should it be aiming to be more politically active?

Its Canadian equivalent has courted controversy by weighing in on debates such as the war in Afghanistan, while in the US, the Congressional Budget Office is routinely co-opted by politicians to help carry legislation.

Usman Chohan, doctoral candidate at UNSW argues Australia’s PBO could have a larger voice.

One of Australia’s major credit reporting agencies, Veda Advantage, is under investigation amid allegations it misused personal financial information and in some cases provided incorrect information. This isn’t the first time a reporting agency has been scrutinised for doing the wrong thing, as Justin Malbon, Professor of Law at Monash University, explains.

At the moment it’s up to consumers to check if their credit history information is correct. Malbon says credit reporting agencies have found a way to make money out of what is a consumer right under the Privacy Act.

So is it time the whole credit reporting industry was put into government hands? That and more on this episode.

As more titbits of detail come to light in the rate rigging case made against Westpac and ANZ, Pat McConnell, Honorary Fellow at the Macquarie University Applied Finance Centre, unpacks the allegations.

McConnell explains what how the bank bill swap rate, or BBSW, is left open for manipulation by traders, comments on the response from the banks and calls for more regulations like those in place overseas.

The podcast also features some colourful comments from the traders in question.

Both the government and opposition are campaigning hard on their abilities as economic managers and jobs and growth have been the Coalition’s election cry. But is creating jobs really all that simple and what kind are needed in the Australian economy?

Principal Research Fellow and Deputy Director at the Melbourne Institute, Roger Wilkins explains what a healthy level of unemployment is in our economy. He also has some bad news for all those depending on election cash splashes to create jobs.