Dollars & Sense

By offering generous tax concessions to property investors and making it nearly impossible to live on JobSeeker, Australian governments have being making inequality worse.

On this special episode of Dollars & Sense, we discuss the cost of growing inequality with Dr Cassandra Goldie AO, CEO of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), Kasy Chambers, Executive Director of Anglicare Australia, and Dr Mark Zirnsak, Secretariat of the Tax Justice Network Australia.

This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 29 October 2025 at the Australia Institute’s Revenue Summit at Parliament House in Canberra.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘SAVE5’ to get $5 off.

Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now.

Guest: Cassandra Goldie, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Council of Social Service // @cassandragoldie

Guest: Kasy Chambers, Executive Director, Anglicare Australia // @ChambersKasy

Guest: Mark Zirnsak, Secretariat, Tax Justice Network Australia

Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Chief, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

Show notes:

Revenue Summit playlist, The Australia Institute on YouTube (November 2025)

Wealth inequality by asset types. What’s driving wealth inequality? by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (February 2025)

Poverty in Australia 2025: Overview by Peter Davidson and Bruce Bradbury, ACOSS and UNSW Sydney

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 Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

By taxing Australian resources more effectively, we could not only have a greener economy – but a fairer one as well.

On this special episode of Dollars & Sense, Liam O’Brien from the Australian Council of Trade Unions and Dr Ingrid Burfurd from The Superpower Institute join Dr Richard Denniss to discuss taxing the gas industry more effectively.

This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 29 October 2025 at the Australia Institute’s Revenue Summit at Parliament House in Canberra.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘SAVE5’ to get $5 off.

Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now.

Guest: Liam O’Brien, Assistant Secretary, Australian Council of Trade Unions // @lbobrien

Guest: Ingrid Burfurd, Carbon Pricing and Policy Lead, The Superpower Institute

Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Chief, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

Show notes:

Revenue Summit playlist, The Australia Institute on YouTube (November 2025)

Australia Last: The failure of Australian gas policy by Matthew Saunders and Richard Denniss, The Australia Institute (November 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 Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The capital gains tax concession and negative gearing have worked together to make housing less affordable and exacerbate inequality.

Tax doesn’t just affect markets, it shapes society. On housing, excessive tax concessions have driven up prices, concentrated wealth and locked many of the market. On this special episode, Maiy Azize from Everybody’s Home, Josie Lee from Oxfam Australia, and housing advocate Jordan van den Lamb join Amy Remeikis to discuss how bad policy created a housing crisis.

This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 29 October 2025 at the Australia Institute’s Revenue Summit at Parliament House in Canberra.

Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is available now via Australia Institute Press.

Subscribe now for updates from the Australia Institute.

Guest: Maiy Azize, National Spokesperson, Everybody’s Home

Guest: Josie Lee, Policy and Advocacy Lead, Oxfam Australia

Guest: Jordan van den Lamb, Housing Advocate // @purplepingers

Host: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // @amyremeikis

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

Show notes:

One way to improve the “dumpster fire of dumb stuff” which is Australia’s housing policy by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (May 2025)

Macro reforms for housing affordability by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (May 2025)

Migration is not out of control and the figures show it is not to blame for the housing crisis by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

Three ways Australia can tax wealth better by Matt Grudnoff and Dave Richardson, the Australia Institute (August 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 Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On our 100th episode of Dollars & Sense, we discuss why the Reserve Bank always seems to prioritise inflation over employment in its interest rate discussions.

Greg and Elinor discuss the Reserve Bank’s predictable rates decision, Microsoft’s decision to refund some customers after pressure from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, and whether Australia’s tobacco excise has become self-defeating.

Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is available now via Australia Institute Press.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 6 November 2025.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

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

Show notes:

The RBA predicts inflation will rise faster than wages. Let’s hope it’s wrong by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (November 2025)

Explainer: Illegal smoking police raids are being done to raise tax by Greg Jericho, The Point Live (November 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 Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plenty of big tech companies are losing money on their artificial intelligence investments, begging the question: do people actually want the products?

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the “shock” inflation figures, what energy subsidies have to do with the larger-than-expected increase, and why the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) is suing Microsoft.

Pre-order Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by George Williams via Australia Institute Press.

The Point, an initiative of the Australia Institute, is live now.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 30 October 2025.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

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

Show notes:

So it’s goodbye to lower interest rates – to be honest, the RBA was always looking for an excuse not to cut by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (October 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 Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People have been queuing for gold and it's giving toilet paper in 2020. 

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the critical minerals agreement struck between the Australian and American governments, Andrew Leigh’s new anti-price gouging legislation, and why Aussies have been lining up for gold.

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 23 October 2025.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

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

Show notes:

Australia’s surprise unemployment spike suggests an economy not overheating but in need of stimulus by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (October 2025)

Coles, Woolies’ Secret Pricing Deal Undercuts Inflation Claims, the Australia Institute (September 2024)

ACCC Suing Supermarkets as Price Gouging Drives Inflation, Rate Hikes, the Australia Institute (September 2024)

Giving our consumer watchdog more teeth to tackle companies gouging shoppers, the Australia Institute (February 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 Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The global economic outlook is “dim” according to a new report, driven by uncertainty over Trump’s economic and trade policies.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the latest World Economic Outlook from the International Monetary Fund, the latest trade spat between the United States and China, why fewer Australians are travelling to America, and the Australian Government’s backdown over superannuation.

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.

This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 15 October 2025.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

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

Show notes:

The IMF reckons the global economy remains ‘in flux’, but the Trump effect is real – and Australians aren’t fooled by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (October 2025)

Global Economy in Flux, Prospects Remain Dim, World Economic Outlook, International Monetary Fund (October 2025)

US International Inbound Travel Remains Weak for 2025, Tourism Economics (October 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 Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renting a place to live is getting more expensive and house price rises are tipped to accelerate.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss housing affordability, how so many of Australia’s biggest companies manage to pay zero (0) corporate tax, and how Trump made solving the tax problem that much harder.

Use the code ‘podcast’ to get 50% off tickets to the Australia Institute’s Revenue Summit. Discount available for Dollars & Sense listeners while stocks last.

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 9 October 2025.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

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

Show notes:

If we want a better, more equal society, we need more tax. But more tax only works if big business pays their fair share by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (October 2025)

Australia is a rich country that taxes like a poor one, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (October 2025)

Rental growth re-accelerates amid tightest vacancy rate on record, Cotality (October 2025)

WESTPAC-MI CONSUMER SENTIMENT BULLETIN (October 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 Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The federal government’s policy enabling five per cent house deposits is just a backdoor first homebuyer’s grant that’ll pump up prices.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss whether Emirati supermarket chain Lulu will take on Colesworth, the Reserve Bank’s decision to keep rates on hold, Trump’s unworkable tariffs on foreign films, and how the government could actually address the housing crisis.

Use the code ‘podcast’ to get 50% off tickets to the Australia Institute’s Revenue Summit. Featuring Hon Steven Miles MP, Senator Larissa Waters, Senator David Pocock, Dr Kate Chaney MP, Greg Jericho and more, the Summit is on Wednesday 29 October at Parliament House in Canberra. Discount available for Dollars & Sense listeners while stocks last.

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 2 October 2025.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

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

Show notes:

Save Tuvalu, Save the World, the Australia Institute on YouTube (September 2025)

The RBA seems unlikely to do another rate cut – meaning they’re betting the economy is better than the data says by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (September 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 Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scott Morrison’s GST deal with Western Australia stuffed the system, but there are plenty of ways the Government could make it better.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss Jim Chalmers vs red tape, what the latest inflation data could mean for the November rates decision, and how governments could ensure GST revenues keep up with economic growth.

Tickets for our Revenue Summit at Parliament House in Canberra, featuring Hon Steven Miles MP, Senator Larissa Waters, Senator David Pocock, Dr Kate Chaney MP, Greg Jericho and more – are available now. You can buy second release tickets for just $109 via our website.

Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 25 September 2025.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

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

Show notes:

Australia, along with other OECD countries, is mired in mediocrity – and the RBA seems intent on keeping us there by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (September 2025)

If the GST worked properly, it would pay for Australia’s biggest infrastructure projects – new analysis, the Australia Institute (September 2025)

The huge cost to state budgets of failing GST, the Australia Institute (July 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 Dollars & Sense & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/44tIACB

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.