We're almost a quarter of the way into the 21st Century and already it's clear money has changed. 

It's increasingly mobile. It's (relatively) cheap and more and more digital. Economist Richard Holden is charting the changes. 

Guest: Richard Holden, Professor of Economics at the University of NSW Business School

Author of "Money in the 21st Century; Cheap, Mobile, and Digital' published by University of California Press.

It is a bird? Is it a plane? Well, yes, it is a plane, but it's also something much more.

We all know that airlines fly passengers and freight around the country and the world. But they're also like banks, and data collecting businesses. And that's because of the growing importance of their frequent flyer programs. Though you no longer need to fly to gain points. As customers we're not sure what these points are worth. But to the airlines, loyalty programs are so lucrative that they are a core part of their business.

Guests:

Katharine Kemp, Associate Professor at UNSW Law and Justice

Daniel Sciberras, Editor in Chief at Point Hacks

Ganesh Sitaraman, Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University and author of Why flying is miserable and how to fix it, published by Columbia Global Reports 

Leona Tam, Professor at UTS Business School.

This program is repeated from March, 2024

During RN's Science Week we focus on the business of space and the new global race to put people on the Moon. The space economy is predicted to be worth $US1.8 trillion in ten years time and one of the first steps is the construction of a Lunar Gateway, serving as a pathway to Mars.

So what are the likely benefits for us on earth from this re-energised space race? 

• Peggy Hollinger, Space Industry Editor for the Financial Times
• Professor Anna Moore, Director of the ANU's Institute for Space
• Ryan Brukardt, Senior Partner in Global Management Consulting at McKinsey and Co

The Paris Olympics were designed to be 'infrastructure light' to avoid outlandish construction costs,  yet the overspend is estimated at $US1 billion. 

Since the 2016 Rio Olympics' budget overrun by 352 per cent, many cities withdrew their bids in the face of strong public opposition.  So should Olympic Games be held in one permanent location every four years?  And how are plans for Brisbane's 2032 Olympic Games progressing? 

• Andrew Zimbalist, Professor of Economics at Smith College, Massachusetts. Author of Circus Maximus and Boston Olympics: How and Why Smart Cities Are Passing on the Torch
• Michael Bleby, Deputy Property Editor at the Australian Financial Review 

How have CEO bonuses reached such stratospheric levels? What do chief executives have to do to get them and how does getting them influence how they run the business?

Researchers have found that CEO bonuses can lead to some sneaky corporate behaviour. And the incentives often don’t align the interests of the boss and the shareholders.

• Anna Bedford, Associate Professor at UTS
• Geoff Martin, Professor of Strategy at Melbourne Business School
• Dr Rebecca Bachmann, Lecturer, Department of Account and Corporate Governance, Macquarie University 
• Ed Johns, Executive Manager, Australian Council of Superannuation Investors 

What does the Crowdstrike outage have to teach us about risk management and relying on cyber?

Shopping malls are very big business globally and Australia's no different, with the twelve largest centres earning over $1 billion annually.  

Initially designed in the 1960s to accommodate hundreds of cars, targeting the suburban housewife, today they come in all sizes - from the big guns, to mini guns - and are much more responsive to diverse cultural needs, changing consumer trends, and the latest in entertainment.  

Indigenous business and home ownership is on an upward trajectory. 

The role played by Indigenous owned and operated businesses in Australia's economy has expanded, contributing over $16 billion to the economy, and over $4.2 billion in wages. 

And Indigenous Business Australia has helped tens of thousands purchase their own home.  No mean feat during this cost of living crisis.

• Laura Thompson, Co-Founder, Clothing the Gap
• Michelle Evans, Director of the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership at Melbourne University and Melbourne Business School 
• Kelly Keane, Associate Director, Indigenous Business Australia

This week, everyone who's got a job will have more money in their pocket, thanks to the introduction of the Stage III tax cuts? So how do people plan to use the extra money?  And is it good policy?  

In addition, hundreds of tariffs on imports will also be cut, a decision that economists love and applaud. 

Guests

• Kristen Sobeck, Research Fellow, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, ANU
• Matthew Bowen, Head of Consumer and Market Insights, ING Bank Australia
• Alex Robson, Deputy Chair, Productivity Commission 

If we reduce the number of immigrants will that reduce pressure on infrastructure and the cost of housing? The short answer is yes, but it will cost us in other ways. So how should we choose our skilled immigrants and help them make the biggest contribution? 

Guests

Diana Mousina: Deputy Chief Economist, AMP.

Brendan Coates:  Economic Policy Program Director, Grattan institute. 

Cassandra Windsor: Chief Economist,  CEDA ( Committee for Economic Development of Australia)

Tim Harrison: CEO of Ararat Rural City Council, Victoria.