The Dismal Science

The white smoke is billowing from Martin Place, we have a new RBA governor. So who is Michele Bullock? And what will Philip Lowe's legacy be? Mark is still on leave so Bennett joins Ivan to answer these questions.

To hear more of Bennett, listen to our new podcast, Boardroom Conversations, where he talks to some of Australia's leading directors aicd.com.au/news-media/boardroom-conversations

The US Fed 'skips' hiking this month but hints there's still more to come. Plus, the Australian labour market continues to boom even as confidence slides. The Dismal Science will now also be pausing for a few weeks as Mark is on holidays. Back soon.

Another rate rise brings the total tightening to 400bps in just over a year. Add in the disappointing first quarter GDP growth and this week seemed like a tipping point for the Australian economy. Are things about to get worse before they get better? Plus, the regulators come for crypto.

A US debt ceiling deal, a stubborn inflation number for Australia, the Chinese recovery slows and Ivan moves house.

With Narendra Modi's visit to Australia, we ask if economic diplomacy actually works. Plus, the debt ceiling draws closer and the AI boom gathers steam.

With the passing of Robert Lucas, the champion of rational expectations theory and one of the most influential economists of the last 50 years, we ask whether his legacy holds up. Plus, with unemployment edging up, consumer confidence down and wages continuing to disappoint, we look ahead to the RBA's June meeting.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered the first budget surplus in 15 years, helped by the boom in jobs and commodity prices. The government has used the windfall to deliver a cost of living package targeted at the most vulnerable, but will the spending stoke inflation and prove counterproductive? Plus, the US is again facing a debt ceiling crisis and we say vale to the great Allan Gyngell AO.

A surprise rate rise and a surprise host on the 150th episode of the pod.

Inflation eased off in the first quarter of the year and we appear to be past the peak. So will the RBA continue to leave rates on hold next week? Plus, more on the tight rental market.

The review of the RBA is in. We look at what's changing, what's not changing and the critique of the bank's performance.