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Follow The Money

Follow The Money

The Australia Institute 423 Episodes Jul 22, 2026

Follow The Money is a podcast from The Australia Institute that breaks down economics and politics in plain English. It explores how money influences policy and decision-making in Australia, making complex topics accessible to a general audience. The show features interviews with experts and analysis of current events.

Episodes

As American democracy faces huge tests, is Australia prepared for the worst?
As American democracy faces huge tests, is Australia prepared for the worst? Jul 22, 2026 1863 No one knows what’ll happen at the November midterms or the next presidential election. Is the Australian government prepared for the worst-case scenario? On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis joins Glenn Connley to discuss the upcoming midterm elections in the United States, how the Trump administration has been chipping away at the guardrails of American democracy, and wheth
BONUS | What's the point of a gas export tax?
BONUS | What's the point of a gas export tax? Jul 17, 2026 1340 Introducing The Australia Institute's new podcast series, What's the Point? with Richard Denniss. Subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. *** On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss discusses how global gas industry has pulled off the greatest con in Australia’s history, and why A
After the landslide: Australian politics since the 2025 election
After the landslide: Australian politics since the 2025 election Jul 15, 2026 2390 Richard Denniss and Amy Remeikis discuss the dramatic changes in Australia’s political landscape since Labor’s landslide election victory. In May 2025, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the Labor Party to a historic victory and the Liberal Party suffered its worst result since World War 2. But with the rise of One Nation at home and crises multiplying abroad, the world already looks
Australian states aren’t going broke, but they are being ripped off
Australian states aren’t going broke, but they are being ripped off Jul 8, 2026 1546 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’r
The Safeguard Mechanism is failing miserably
The Safeguard Mechanism is failing miserably Jul 1, 2026 2041 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.
Australians overwhelmingly back abortion access, but the politics are getting more toxic
Australians overwhelmingly back abortion access, but the politics are getting more toxic Jun 24, 2026 1941 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 politic
Gas tax: let the people decide
Gas tax: let the people decide Jun 17, 2026 1696 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 t
Jane Caro on the battle for public education
Jane Caro on the battle for public education Jun 10, 2026 2142 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, Ric
Antoinette Lattouf on women who win
Antoinette Lattouf on women who win Jun 3, 2026 1687 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 a
Online gambling “reshaping a whole generation” as government reforms fall well short
Online gambling “reshaping a whole generation” as government reforms fall well short May 27, 2026 1446 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 turbochar
Victoria’s donations shambles puts rest of country “on notice”
Victoria’s donations shambles puts rest of country “on notice” May 20, 2026 1446 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
Budget 2026: serious housing reforms but a missed opportunity to tax gas exports
Budget 2026: serious housing reforms but a missed opportunity to tax gas exports May 13, 2026 1957 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”

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