The RBA dropped interest rates this week - smart move? Or is the RBA kicking the financial can down the road? Plus, the South Australian government has forced the Whyalla Steelworks into administration. Then, the economic fallout of the family trust trial. 

Tariffs are on the rise — so what does this mean for ultra-cheap sites like Temu? Then, is Elon Musk behind the recent slump in electric car sales? Plus, the question of whether Australia has slain the inflation dragon remains on the table.

Trump's tariffs are here, but do those voting for them really understand how they work? Plus, the housing market is cooling down, but should we take it further and push prices down even more? And, we’re taxing tobacco heavily, but surprisingly, the tax revenue is dropping. Turns out, it’s not because people are quitting. Could we be facing a self-defeating tax?

Taj Pabari - social entrepreneur and author of Young, Dumb and Financially Independent: What school didn't teach you about money.

Emilia Terzon - ABC national business reporter.

Get in touch:

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

With inflation down and right within the Reserve Bank's target band, is there any reason why we shouldn't now expect a cut in interest rates? Plus, a deep dive into DeepSeek, the Chinese AI firm that shook the US stock market this week; and the economics of the Australian Open - turns out there's more than a Grand Slam title at stake. 

Guests:

Myriam Robin - Senior writer with the Australian Financial Review.

Isaac Gross - former Reserve Bank economist, now lecturer in economics at Monash University.

Get in touch:

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

With Donald Trump back in the White House, it's boom time for billionaires and tech bros. How much will these changes trickle down to Australia? Plus, you’ve probably noticed those fees racking up, every time you tap your debit card. A push is now on to ban them, but this might have some unexpected - and expensive - consequences. 

Guests:

Megan Flamer - Innovation and organisational development specialist with Monash Business School (and founder of Excited Adults)

Michael Janda - ABC News Business Editor.

Get in touch:

We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

The Economy, Stupid is your weekly guide to the world of business, economics and finance. Every Thursday, economist Peter Martin is joined by a team of sharp young thinkers for a fresh conversation about the financial stories making headlines and how they might affect you.

The Economy, Stupid is your weekly guide to the world of business, economics and finance. Every Thursday, economist Peter Martin is joined by a team of sharp young thinkers for a fresh conversation about the financial stories making headlines and how they might affect you.

Australians have a sleeping problem. The most conservative estimates show one in 10 have a sleep disorder, which is having an impact on their safety, wellbeing and productivity.

This ends up costing almost a $1 billion a week. And that’s not all. The total cost of inadequate sleep is thought to be as high as $75 billion a year.

We’re not alone either. International research shows places like the US, the UK and Europe are facing similar problems, with similar costs.

Guests:

Shanthakumar Rajaratnam, Chair of the Sleep Health Foundation

Professor Ron Grunstein, The Woolcock Institute 

Wendy Troxel, The Rand Corporation

Zafina Ademi, Professor of Health Economics, Monash University

Presenter: Richard Aedy

Producer: Whitney Fitzsimons 

This program was first broadcast on 9th May, 2024

Journalist Ed Conway went on a journey to discover where the things we use in everyday life come from. He narrowed that search down to six vital materials: sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium. These materials, he says, are like a gateway allowing us to see the spectrum of different things around us that really do matter. These materials from the ground that have enabled us to connect with each other, to provide energy and make machines. 

Guest: 

Ed Conway, Economics and Data Editor of Sky News and columnist for The Times and Sunday Times. He is the author of: 

Material World: a substantial story of our past and future published by Penguin.

Credits: 

Presenter: Richard Aedy

Producer: Kate MacDonald

This program was first broadcast on 15th February, 2024

After nine terrific years explaining how the economy and everything in it works, Richard Aedy looks back at the highlights of the decade as well as Australia's economic future with Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission. 

Guest - Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission