Follow The Money
Australia’s climate crossroads
With a leading role in this year’s United Nations climate conference, the Australian government has an opportunity to show genuine solidarity with its Pacific neighbours and climate-vulnerable communities at home.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Kumi Naidoo, South African human rights and climate advocate, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the need for a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, why it’s past time for the Australia government to stop coal and gas expansion, and his new Vantage Point essay, What We Owe the Water.
This episode was recorded on Monday 9 February 2026.
What...
"They rushed this": why the Reserve Bank got it wrong by raising rates
With inflation driven by Christmas holidays and data centres for artificial intelligence, the RBA didn’t need to raise the interest rate this week, argues Matt Grudnoff.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff joins Ebony Bennett to discuss big economic reform opportunities facing the government and why the Reserve Bank of Australia is so cautious about cutting rates, yet so quick to hike them up.
Join economist, author and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis and friends in Adelaide on Sunday 1 March and in Sydney on Thursday 5 March. Tickets are selling fast, so...
How Australia can chart its own course in an uncertain world
The Australian government can’t keep its head in the sand and hope the chaos of the Trump administration will just go away.
Dr Emma Shortis and Greg Jericho join Glenn Connley to discuss how Australia can navigate what Canadian PM Mark Carney calls the Trump “rupture”.
A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Guest: Gre...
Does the government understand its own hate laws?
The government passed new gun control and hate speech legislation in a special parliamentary sitting, but what impact will they have on Australian democracy?
Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne join Ebony Bennett to discuss how having fewer guns in the community will make Australians safer. However, the complex anti-hate legislation that was rushed through at the same time could have serious consequences for Australian society.
A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limi...
Parliament returning early to debate new anti-hate & gun laws
Richard Denniss discusses the government’s response to the Bondi terrorist attacks, the chaos of the Trump administration and how to protect Australia’s democracy.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Richard Denniss and Ebony Bennett discuss the political and policy response to devasting Bondi terrorist attacks, the cancellation of Adelaide Writers’ Week, Trump and the Australia-US alliance, and what to look out for in federal politics in 2026.
A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price...
What can be done to fix the PALM scheme? | PALMed Off, Episode 4
What would it take to make the PALM scheme a genuine win-win for Australia and its neighbours?
In the fourth and final episode of PALMed Off, host Morgan Harrington canvases some of the proposed solutions to the problems facing the PALM scheme, including an amnesty for disengaged workers and ensuring that everyone working in Australia has the right to leave their employer.
PALMed Off is a special four-part series of Follow the Money exploring the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, an Australian Government guestworker program that could be putting people from nine Pacific Island...
Is Australia failing its duty of care? | PALMed Off, Episode 3
PALM visas holders do not get Medicare (outside of a trial limited to 200 people), so what happens when they are injured, get sick or fall pregnant?
In episode three of PALMed Off, host Morgan Harrington hears how a lack of affordable medical care can have dire consequences for PALM visa holders and discusses the problems faced by women who fall pregnant whilst working in Australia.
PALMed Off is a special four-part series of Follow the Money exploring the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, an Australian Government guestworker program that could be putting people from...
Workers are people, not commodities | PALMed Off, Episode 2
Where do the thousands of people who have left the PALM scheme, but stayed in Australia, go? How do they survive without a valid visa and, more importantly, what does the future hold for them?
In episode two of PALMed Off, host Morgan Harrington travels to Leeton, New South Wales, a town that’s become a safe haven for some of the estimated 7,000 people who have ‘disengaged’ from the PALM scheme. We find out what leads people to make the difficult decision to walk away from their employer and speak to some of the community members trying to hel...
Modern slavery in Australia? | PALMed Off, Episode 1
In this summer mini-series, we examine the Australian guestworker program that could be putting people from Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste at risk of modern slavery.
In PALMed Off, a special Follow the Money mini-series, we explore the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, a program that allows people from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste to work in Australia on a special temporary visa. The Australian Government argues the program is a win for the workers, their home communities and Australian employers. But PALM visa holders are subjected to restrictions that no other worker in A...
Summer Special | Did the US play a role in the Whitlam dismissal?
Rumours about America's role in the dismissal of Gough Whitlam have circulated for decades – but is there any truth to them?
On this special episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis explores the state of the Australia-United States relationship under the Whitlam government, the machinations at the time around the renewal of Pine Gap, and the previously untold account of Dr Liz Cham, former executive assistant in the office of Prime Minister Whitlam, who recalls handing over a mystery letter to an American official just before the Dismissal.
The interview with Liz Cham was rec...
Look after yourselves and each other
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via their website, www.lifeline.org.au.
Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate
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Will Canada follow Australia’s disastrous path on gas?
Traditional custodians are fighting back against climate-destroying gas developments being rammed through by Canadian governments.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Hereditary Chief Na’Moks of the Wet’suwet’en Nation, Gwii Lok’im Gibuu Jesse Stoeppler of the Gitxsan and Wet’suwet’en Nations, and Kai Nagata from not-for-profit Dogwood tell us about their fight to stop gas giants including Woodside on unceded Indigenous lands.
Join Hereditary Chief Na’Moks and Gwii Lok’im Gibuu Jesse Stoeppler at the Stop Woodside in Canada event at Victorian Trades Hall at 6.15pm AEDT on Thursday 11 December.
Highway to hell? Reversing the decline of Australian music
These days, Aussie music is falling out of the charts, leaving local acts wondering if they’ll ever see your face again.
INXS. Kyle Minogue. Even the Wiggles. Australia has an incredible musical legacy, but with declining streaming numbers and revenues heading abroad, will the Aussie musician just become somebody we used to know? On this episode of Follow the Money, former Spotify Chief Economist Will Page and Australia Institute Research Manager Morgan Harrington join Ebony Bennett to discuss how to reverse the decline of Australian music.
A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia ch...
What have the scientists ever done for us?
Australian scientific discoveries have improved people’s lives and made the economy more productive – so why is the CSIRO being forced to shed workers again?
On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff and Ebony Bennett discuss the latest job cuts at the CSIRO, why this is a missed opportunity as researchers leave the United States, and why science investment matters for productivity.
A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available for pre-order now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘SAVE5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limi...
Mike Rann: how Albanese can leave a brave climate legacy
With brave climate leadership, says former South Australian Premier Mike Rann, Anthony Albanese could leave a lasting legacy similar to Bob Hawke with Medicare, Paul Keating with compulsory superannuation and Kevin Rudd with the apology to the Stolen Generations.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Mike Rann addresses the fossil fuel industry’s tobacco-like tactics, South Australia’s leadership of progressive reform, and why policy bravery can be great politics, as he delivered the Australia Institute’s Hugh Saddler Memorial Lecture.
This episode was recorded live on Thursday 13 November.
A time for Braver...
Defending nature with Bob Brown
Protecting Australia’s incredible natural environment from bad policy, spurred on corporate interests and a hostile media, can sometimes feel like an impossible task. But sometimes, people power wins out.
On this episode of Follow the Money, former head of the Australian Greens Bob Brown joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the irreplaceable beauty of Australia’s natural environment, the current government’s efforts to change our nature laws, and his latest book, Defiance: Stories from Nature and Its Defenders.
This episode was recorded live on Friday 31 October as part of our Australia’s Biggest Book Club web...
A broken university system is letting Australia down
Poor governance, poor policy and decades of neoliberalism have broken Australia’s university sector, with devastating consequences for students and the country.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Richard Denniss and Ebony Bennett discuss the lack of accountability in Australia’s universities, why some institutions’ claims of financial crises aren’t supported by their auditors, and what Australians think about the state of the sector.
Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is available now via Australia Institute Press.
Guest: Richard Denniss, co-CEO, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss
Host: Eb...
Mates’ rates and why Australia can’t have nice things
Australia’s natural environment is in crisis and its wealth is disappearing into the hands of a few powerful fossil fuel companies – but it doesn’t have to be this way.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Ebony Bennett discuss the lack of political will to properly protect the natural environment, a proposal for a 25% gas export tax to replace the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax, and new research showing that Adani cost Queenslanders hundreds of millions of dollars by selling coal at mates’ rates.
Strong environment laws stop new coal and gas. You...
Albanese visits Trump as US democracy circles a golden drain
Anthony Albanese’s meeting with Donald Trump was relatively drama-free, but the devil is in the detail when it comes to the president’s ‘commitments’ on AUKUS and critical minerals.
On this crossover episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss why Australia is still unlikely to receive any Virginia-class submarines, why the “shared values” that supposedly underpin the Australia-US alliance are looking increasingly shaky, and Trump’s bizarre AI video showing himself dropping excrement on protesters.
You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parli...
Fixing Australia's "arse-backwards" environment laws
Environment laws that don’t stop new gas and coal are like putting screen doors on a submarine.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Leanne Minshull and Ebony Bennett discuss the Federal Government’s efforts to push through changes to Australia’s busted environment laws with the support of the Coalition.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via Australia Institute Press.
Guest: Leanne Minshull, co-CEO, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
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Australia is a rich country that taxes like a poor one
If Australia just collected the OECD average in tax, the government would have an extra $130 billion a year to spend on essential services like health and education.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff and Ebony Bennett discuss the latest data from the Australian Taxation Office showing that 30 per cent of large corporations paid no company tax in 2023-24 – with the gas, coal, salmon and tech industries among the worst offenders.
Use the code ‘podcast’ to get 50% off tickets to the Australia Institute’s Revenue Summit. Discount available for Follow the Money listeners while st...
Will Australia step up on the global stage?
With the international order changing rapidly, there’s never been a more important time for effective Australian diplomacy.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Glenn Connley discuss Anthony Albanese’s major diplomatic tour, the US Defense Secretary’s concerning warning to his top brass, and why the Trump-Netanyahu peace plan seems “doomed to fail”.
You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.
After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis is available via Australia Institute Press.
Gues...
Government still ignoring climate reality
One and a half million Australians could be at risk from rising sea levels, yet the Government continues to approve new climate destroying fossil fuel projects.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the National Climate Risk Assessment, the Government’s new emissions reduction targets, and its disastrous decision to approve the North West Shelf gas expansion.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Au...
AUKUS and Australian sovereignty with Doug Cameron
Former Senator Doug Cameron calls on the federal government to reject “warmongering” and abandon the AUKUS deal.
On this episode of Follow the Money, former Labor Senator for New South Wales Doug Cameron speaks about the Australia-US relationship, the “madness” of AUKUS, and how the federal government can prepare for peace – not war.
The 2025 Laurie Carmichael Lecture was delivered on Wednesday 10 September and presented by the Carmichael Centre at the Australia Institute’s Centre for Future Work.
You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.
<...No right to know?
The government’s proposed changes to freedom of information laws represent a “serious attack” on Australia’s democracy, according to former Senator Rex Patrick.
On this episode of Follow the Money, transparency advocate Rex Patrick and Australia Institute Democracy & Accountability Director Bill Browne to discuss the failing freedom of information system and why the proposed changes could make government less transparent – not more.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Rex Patrick, former Senator for South Australia // @mrrexpatrick
Guest: Bill...
Will AI kill traditional media?
With large language models threatening to swamp Australia’s traditional media, a little bit of government funding could go a long way to protect public interest journalism.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Clive Marshall, former CEO of the Press Association (UK), and Emma Cowdroy, Acting CEO of Australian Associated Press, join Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss to discuss artificial intelligence and the news.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.
Keep up with everything that’s happening at the...
Big Gas' greed is killing Australian manufacturers
The colossal price rises on the east coast, brought on by excessive gas exports, have been a disaster for Australian manufacturers and households.
On this episode of Follow the Money, manufacturing industry representative Geoff Crittenden and Australia Institute Principal Advisor Mark Ogge join Ebony Bennett to discuss how governments can ensure there’s more gas available for Australians.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Geoff Crittenden, Chief Executive Officer, WELD Australia
Guest: Mark Ogge, Principal Advisor, the Au...
Tax the wealthiest to make Australia more productive
The Prime Minister hosed down expectations ahead of the economic roundtable, but a serious reform package must include changes to tax policy.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the Government’s economic roundtable, why taxing wealth more effectively would make Australians better off, and why removing as-yet-unnamed ‘red tape’ isn’t going to fix productivity.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.
You can listen to Dollars & Sense each week on Apple Po...
How political pragmatism is killing us with Richard Denniss
The search for the “sensible centre” in Australia politics is pointless and flies in the face of evidence, says Richard Denniss.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to discuss why the constant search for the centre ground doing Australians harm, why bipartisanship can actually be bad, and his new essay, Dead Centre.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available now via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the...
Australians march for Palestine as Trump shoots the messenger
From Gaza to AUKUS, pressure for change is building on Australian foreign policy.
On this special crossover episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Glenn Connley to discuss the Australian protests calling for more action to protect Palestinians, the momentum against the troubled AUKUS submarine pact, and Trump’s decision to fire his chief of labour statistics after job growth slowed.
This discussion was recorded on Monday 4 August 2025.
You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.
Dead Ce...
Australia's gun laws aren't as strong as you think
Nearly three decades after the Port Arthur massacre, there are more guns than ever before in Australia and there is still no national firearms register.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Alice Grundy and Skye Predavec join Ebony Bennett to discuss how the Howard Government’s brave reforms in the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre are falling short of its aims – and what federal, state and territory governments can do to keep Australians safe.
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 c...
Australians aren’t afraid of power-sharing parliaments
Tasmanians have returned another power-sharing parliament – it’s now up to the major parties to make it work.
Australians have elected power-sharing parliaments in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania – and a single party almost never has a majority in the federal Senate. On this episode of Follow the Money, Leanne Minshull and Eloise Carr join Ebony Bennett to discuss why collaborative parliaments are popular and how our elected officials can make them work.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Austra...
“Out of patience”: it’s time to fix the housing crisis
Amy Remeikis and Matt Grudnoff preview the first parliamentary sitting week.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Amy Remeikis and Matt Grudnoff join Ebony Bennett discuss the political relevance of the housing crisis, the storm-in-a-teacup over some Treasury subheadings, and #NotAllEconomists.
You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.
Dead Centre: How political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is available for pre-order now via the Australia Institute website.
Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // @amyremeikis
<...Their fair share: the tax debate we need to have
By limiting generous tax concessions for the wealthy and collecting revenue from Australia’s natural resources, the Government could fund health and education systems that work properly.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff joins Ebony Bennett discuss Government’s productivity agenda, why the GST is failing to do the job it was designed for, and how 91 millionaires managed to pay no tax.
Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
The huge cost to stat...
A matter of preference
Labor won big and the Coalition got “smashed”, but the major parties have never been more reliant on preferences.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Bill Browne joins Ebony Bennett discuss the extraordinary scale of Labor’s victory in the May federal election, what the devastating result might mean for the Coalition, and why a large crossbench in federal parliament could be here to stay.
Guest: Bill Browne, Director of Democracy & Accountability, the Australia Institute // @browne90
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
Major partie...
All the way with the USA?
Despite demands from the hawks that the Australia Government fall in line with the United States over Iran, it’s not inevitable that Australia supports illegal American military intervention.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Allan Behm join Ebony Bennett to discuss the American bombing of Iran, the Albanese Government’s choice to back the Trump Administration’s decision, and why upholding and strengthening a rules-based global order is more than just “nostalgia”.
You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.
Our...
Australia doesn't need AUKUS
By reviewing the deal, Trump has given the Australian Government an opportunity to get out of the disastrous AUKUS agreement.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Allan Behm joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the Trump administration’s decision to review the AUKUS submarine deal, why Australia doesn’t need American Virginia-class boats anyway, and why the Australian and American governments have shared interests but not shared values.
You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to launch a parliamentary inquiry into AUKUS.
Our independence is our strength – and only you can ma...
Now is the time for brave reform
A housing crisis, accelerating climate change and widening inequality all confront the re-elected Albanese Government, but the solutions exist (and often aren’t that complicated).
The government is confronting major challenges in its second term. But despite what we’re often told, there is no shortage of solutions – governments just need the courage to implement them. On this episode of Follow the Money, we hear from four leading policy thinkers – Richard Denniss, Maiy Azize, Polly Hemming and Thomas Mayo – about making big, bold ideas a reality.
Find the What’s the Big Idea? series via our website...
Profit vs priceless heritage: the fight to save Murujuga
The Murujuga site in north-western Australia is potentially the most important rock art site in the world, but it’s being destroyed by rampant industrial development.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Walkley Award-winning journalist Stephen Long and Elinor Johnston-Leek discuss the Federal Government’s decision to sign a provisional extension to Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project and the impact that will have on the irreplaceable Murujuga rock art.
Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal tod...
Super hysterical: the ludicrous beat-up over superannuation tax changes
Superannuation is meant to help all Australians have a comfortable retirement, not help the very wealthiest pay less tax.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute, joins Glenn Connley to discuss the government’s modest proposal to change the superannuation tax concessions and the bizarre backlash to the policy.
This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 28 May 2025 and things may have changed.
Order After America: Australia and the new world order or become a foundation subscriber to our Vantage Point series and save 25% on the Australia In...
