Why is everything so expensive? And will a wage increase just make it worse? New research shows that only a trivial portion of Australia’s inflation has come from wages this year, while rising prices continue to drive not just inflation, but profits to record highs.
This was recorded on Tuesday 26th July 2022 and things may have changed since recording.
The Australia Institute // @theausinstituteHost: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest: Richard Denniss, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIProducer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermaceyEdited by: Mikayla McGuirck-ScolaroTheme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot SessionsSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's really driving inflation?

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With just five months until the presidential election, American democracy is under serious threat.
This American presidential election will be unique for many reasons, not the least of which is Donald Trump becoming the first American president to be found guilty of a crime. So what impact – if any – will that have on the outcome? Is Biden going to be able to mobilise enough support in key states to win a second term? And what might another Trump presidency mean for Australia? On this episode of Follow the Money, the Australia Institute’s Emma Shortis joins Ebony Bennett to discuss US politics after her recent trip to Washington DC.
This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 11 June 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute
Guest: Emma Shortis, Senior Researcher in International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett
Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey
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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is America heading towards disaster?

Australia is in the midst of a housing crisis, fuelled by poor government policy.
Across the country, house prices have skyrocketed, putting the prospect of buying a home well out of reach for too many people. Rents have also soared, placing huge financial pressure on people and pushing many into homelessness. On this episode of Follow the Money, housing advocate and creator of shitrentals.org Jordan van den Berg, Maiy Azize from national housing campaign Everybody’s Home, and Australia Institute Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff examine how Australia got itself into this situation – and how it can get out of it.
This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 4 June 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute
Guest: Jordan van den Berg, Lawyer and Founder of shitrentals.org // @purplepingers
Guest: Maiy Azize, National Spokesperson, Everybody’s Home // @MaiyAzize
Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @MattGrudnoff
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett
Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey
Additional editing: Emily Perkins
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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Australia created a housing crisis (and what we can do to fix it)

It’s been 12 years since Julian Assange has been free – but is the fight to keep him from a life in an American prison finally coming to an end?
United States President Joe Biden told reporters he’s considering Australia’s request to drop charges against Assange for publishing thousands of sensitive military and government documents, but the fight to free the Australian publisher isn’t over.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 21st May 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute
Guest: Jennifer Robinson, international human rights lawyer and legal advisor to Julian Assange // @suigenerisjen
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett
Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey
Additional editing: Emily Perkins
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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fight to Free Assange

A series of recent high-profile incidents has thrust the national crisis of domestic violence into the spotlight. Clearly the current approach to violence against women isn't working, so what can be done?
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.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 21st May 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute
Guest: Jess Hill, investigative journalist, educator on coercive control, and author of See What You Made Me Do. // @jessradio
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett
Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey
Additional editing: Emily Perkins
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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jess Hill on the Domestic Violence Crisis

Budget 2024 had a little bit for a lot of people, but in trying to please everyone, has the government disappointed everyone instead?
What does the budget mean for inflation and living standards? What does it reveal about the government’s priorities as it approaches an election? And does it ultimately make Australia a better place? Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at the Australia Institute, joins Ebony Bennett on this episode of Follow the Money to examine this year’s federal budget.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 14 May 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute
Guest: Matthew Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @MattGrudnoff
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett
Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey
Additional editing: Emily Perkins
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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's really driving inflation?

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