States and territories are missing out on tens of billions in revenue each year because the GST isn’t growing as promised.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Matt Grudnoff join Ebony Bennett to discuss the reasons why the GST hasn't grown as promised, how exemptions for private schools and private insurance exacerbate inequality, and how governments can ensure they’re providing the high-quality services Australians deserve.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 7 July.

Check out the new Australia Institute podcast series, What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss. It’s available now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite shows.

Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell

Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff

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

Show notes:

The cost of slow growth in GST revenue. The growing problem of short-changing the states by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (September 2025)

GST Reform: How to stop the states being short-changed by Richard Denniss, Matt Grudnoff & Dave Richardson, the Australia Institute (July 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]. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Support the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia’s flagship climate policy is failing to drive actual emission reductions.

On this episode of Follow the Money, the authors of new Australia Institute research, Dr Fergus Green and Frances Medlock, join Glenn Connley to discuss the major failures of the Safeguard Mechanism, the dodgy “carbon offsets” at the heart the scheme, and what can be done to drive down emissions.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 23 June.

Guest: Fergus Green, co-author of ‘Safeguarding the fossil fuel industry?’ and Associate Professor, University College London // @fergusgreen

Guest: Frances Medlock, co-author of ‘Safeguarding the fossil fuel industry?’ and policy and law reform lawyer

Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley

Show notes:

Safeguarding the Fossil Fuel Industry? How Carbon Offsetting Undermines the Safeguard Mechanism by Fergus Green and Frances Medlock, the Australia Institute (June 2026)

The dodgy, so-called “offsets” that undermine Australia’s central climate policy by Fergus Green and Frances Medlock, The Point (June 2026)

Koalas Covering for Coal? Dirty Forest Offset Plan Would Mean More Fossil Fuels, the Australia Institute (June 2026)

Giant gas project earns $90m in ‘free’ carbon offsets by Ryan Cropp, Australian Financial Review (June 2026)

Here are 23 Times Carbon Offsets Were Found to be Dodgy, the Australia Institute (January 2024)

World’s biggest miner BHP backtracks on climate action with key projects put on ice, leaked documents reveal by Christopher Knaus and Adam Morton, 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 Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Support the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians overwhelmingly support access to abortion care – but there’s a resurgence in anti-abortion politics underway.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Amy Remeikis and Hamdi Jama join Ebony Bennett to discuss the resurgence of anti-abortion politics in Australia, failed legislation in South Australia seeking to restrict late-term abortion, and the influence of far-right politics in the United States and United Kingdom on Australia.

This episode was recorded on Friday 19 June.

Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute

Guest: Hamdi Jama, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the Australia Institute

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute

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

Show notes:

Abortion Access in South Australia by Hamdi Jama and Ebony Bennett, the Australia Institute (June 2026)

Overwhelming support for abortion access, despite election rhetoric: new poll, the Australia Institute (March 2026)

Saving women? Spare me. This is hatred of women at its heart by Ebony Bennett, The Canberra Times (June 2026)

Don’t be fooled, there’s nothing ‘reasonable’ about these rebooted abortion battles by Amy Remeikis, The Point (June 2026)

One Nation senator Malcolm Roberts says he will push for party to adopt blanket abortion ban by Tory Shepherd, Guardian Australia (June 2026)

Image of ‘twin babies’ used by anti-abortion activist appears to show sugar gliders by Tory Shepherd, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

One Nation’s anti‑abortion turn shows MAGA’s creeping power in Australia by Prudence Flowers, The Conversation (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 Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Support the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join tens of thousands of Australians calling for a national plebiscite on a 25% gas export tax.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Leanne Minshull and Rod Campbell join Ebony Bennett to discuss Australia’s dud deal on gas and the Australia Institute’s new petition calling on the government to hold a plebiscite on a gas export tax.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 16 June.

Sign the petition calling for a national plebiscite on a 25% Gas Export Tax.

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

Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell

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

Show notes:

Let the People Decide: The Case for a Gas Export Tax Plebiscite, Australia Institute webinar (19 June 2026)

Australia's Gas Giveaway, the Australia Institute

The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (March 2026)

Polling – gas tax and WA, the Australia Institute (April 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 the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd

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 the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd

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 the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd

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 the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Six months out from an election, Victoria has been left with no political donation laws after the High Court ruled them unconstitutional.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Bill Browne joins Ebony Bennett to discuss why the High Court voided Victoria’s undemocratic political donations laws. They examine what this could mean for other jurisdictions and why a principled, transparent approach to political donations reform is needed – not legislation that skews the system in favour of major parties.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 19 May.

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

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

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

Show notes:

Victoria’s donation restrictions are unconstitutional – what happens now? by Bill Browne, The Point (April 2026)

Open letter calls on Victorian Parliament to make election donation laws fair and transparent from Australian Democracy Network, Accountability Round Table, Transparency International Australia, Human Rights Law Centre, the Australia Institute and many other integrity and community organisations (May 2026)

High Court shines a light on how major parties have stacked the system in their favour by Bill Browne, The Point (April 2026)

High Court gives Victoria a chance to rethink its unconstitutional, undemocratic political donation laws, the Australia Institute (April 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 the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians are crying out for big, brave reforms from governments. The long-overdue changes to housing tax concessions in this budget suggest the federal government may be starting to get the message.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff and Ebony Bennett discuss the government’s important changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, its “brutal” cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and why some “broken promises” may not be such a big deal in the eyes of Australians.

This episode was recorded on Wednesday 13 May.

The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff

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

Show notes:

Budget 2026: What the government’s housing tax changes mean for first home buyers and housing affordability by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (May 2026)

Budget 2026: Government targets investor tax breaks and trust loopholes in housing reform package by Tegan George, The Point (May 2026)

Budget 2026: Treasurer's speech, annotated by Greg Jericho, The Point (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 Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Support the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After major missteps, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is falling well short of the gold standard for integrity bodies.

On this episode of Follow the Money, journalist and writer Nick Feik joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the NACC’s handling of its Robodebt investigation, its decision not to hold public hearings so far, and concerns about the legal experience required of some senior leaders.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 5 May and some things may have changed.

The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

Guest: Nick Feik, journalist and writer // @nickfeik

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

Show notes:

Built to fail? NACC: the integrity body undermined from the start by Nick Feik, Michelle Fahy & Elizabeth Minter, The Point (April 2026)

Resignation of Deputy Commissioner highlights need for transparent, merit-based NACC appointments, the Centre for Public Integrity (May 2026)

National Anti-Corruption Commission: Reforms Needed, the Australia Institute

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 the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.