Follow The Money
AUKUS the “worst, most costly and riskiest” Australian defence decision ever
The AUKUS submarine deal should be scrapped and the subject of a Royal Commission, according to the commissioners of the AUKUS Public Inquiry.
On this episode of Follow the Money, former Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Admiral Chris Barrie AO RAN (retd), and Australia Institute co-CEO, Leanne Minshull, join Ebony Bennett to discuss the findings of the recent independent public inquiry into the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 10 November.
Sign the petition calling for a Royal Commission into AUKUS on the Australia Institute website.
Guest...
Brutal interest rate hike won't address main causes of inflation
The Reserve Bank’s fifth interest rate hike of 2026 will hurt Australian mortgage holders as big corporates profit.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff joins Ebony Bennett to discuss what’s really driving inflation, who’s benefitting in this economy, how the government can support the Australians who need it most.
This episode was recorded on Wednesday 4 November.
Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
Big four banks cash in on borrow...
Is a ‘blue wave’ coming at the US midterms?
The Trump administration and US democracy itself face a big test at the midterm elections.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis joins Ebony Bennett to discuss US politics ahead of the midterms and the state of democracy globally.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 27 October.
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.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the...
No place for violence in Australian democracy
On this episode of Follow the Money, Amy Remeikis, Greg Jericho and Ebony Bennett discuss violence, decency and dissent in Australia’s democracy following the alleged violent attack on Dr Helen Haines MP, who remains in critical condition in hospital.
This episode was recorded on Wednesday 21 October.
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.
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au.
Guest...
Jim Chalmers on reform and taking on the far right
Treasurer Jim Chalmers outlines the big challenges facing Australia and the importance of changing the status quo – a situation that is clearly not working for many Australians.
In this special episode of Follow the Money, the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer of Australia, addresses the loss of control many Australians feel right now, the rise of the far-right in Australia, and the importance of meaningful reform.
This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Bernie Fraser Oration on Tuesday 13 October.
Guest: Jim Chalmers, Treasurer of Australia and Labor Member for Rankin // @jimchalmers
...
Younger Australians “locked out” as intergenerational housing divide grows
Australia is a rich country, but for many younger Australians, the ability to share in that prosperity is increasingly out of reach.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Senator Barbara Pocock, Australian Greens Spokesperson for Housing & Homelessness, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the housing crisis, its long-term impacts on the lives of younger Australians, and her proposals to turn the situation around.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 6 October.
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au.
Guest: B...
How the NT won Australia's race-to-the-bottom on online gambling regulation
Australia’s multibillion-dollar online gambling industry is effectively regulated by a Northern Territory body with no full-time staff, says Independent MLA Justine Davis.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Justine Davis, Independent Member for Johnston in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss Australians’ extraordinary gambling losses, the federal government’s failure to create a national regulator for online gambling, and her proposal to lift standards in the NT.
This episode was recorded on Friday 25 September.
If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpli...
The promise of a future: it’s time to phase out fossil fuels
Despite dire warnings from the scientific community and Australia’s Pacific neighbours, the federal government isn’t getting the message.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Tuvalu Minister for Climate Change and Environment Dr Maina Vakafua Talia and Canadian independent Senator Dr Rosa Galvez join us to discuss the need to phase out fossil fuels.
This episode was recorded live on Wednesday 16 September at the Australia Institute’s Politics in the Pub event in Canberra.
More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest edition in the Vantag...
Australia built an illness system, not a health system
Soaring specialist costs, an increasingly complex system, and Australians getting sicker for longer suggest all is not well in Australian health care.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Luke Slawomirski and Matt Grudnoff join Ebony Bennett to discuss the soaring cost of specialists, why pushing people towards the private health system doesn’t take pressure off public hospitals, the government’s proposed changes to private health rebates, and how to ensure Australia doesn’t backslide towards US-style health care.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 15 September.
Correction: During the discussion on Austra...
The nasty secret buried in Australian workers' contracts
Non-compete clauses suppress wages, reduce productivity and stifle innovation. Now, the federal government is looking to ban them for most workers.
The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the pernicious impact of non-compete clauses and the federal government’s new legislation seeking to ban them for 9-in-10 workers.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 8 September.
More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest edition in the Vantage Point series, is available now.
Use th...
Break up the 'big four': fixing Australia's scandal-plagued consulting sector
After years of scandals, it’s time to break up Australia’s ‘big four’ consultancy firms.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Josh Bornstein and Skye Predavec join Ebony Bennett to discuss Australia’s scandal-plagued big consultancies, the impact of governments’ “orgy of outsourcing” to these firms, and why breaking up the ‘big four’ is the best way to prevent future misconduct.
This episode was recorded on Wednesday 2 September.
More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest edition in the Vantage Point series, is available now.
Use the code ‘...
The housing crisis is far from over
The government took on housing investor tax concessions to bring prices down, but more action is needed to address the rental affordability crisis.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Maiy Azize and Matt Grudnoff join Ebony Bennett to discuss how the government’s changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing are allowing more first-homebuyers to enter the market, the data revealing that migration isn’t the cause of the housing crisis, and the dire situation facing Australian renters.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 25 August.
More Fool Me: How the gas indu...
How the gas industry tricked Australia with Richard Denniss
Australians have been dudded by the gas industry. It’s past time governments admitted it.
Dr Richard Denniss, Australia Institute co-CEO and author of More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss why Australia gives away gas to multinational corporations and why similarly dud deals could happen with Big Tech and other industries if we don’t learn lessons from the past.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 18 August.
More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest edition in the Vantage Poin...
“Appalling”: Wilkie slams government’s response to gambling inquiry
The federal government’s response to the Murphy inquiry into online gambling harms has been “appalling”, says Andrew Wilkie MP.
Andrew Wilkie MP, Independent Member for Clark, joins the Australia Institute’s Noah Schultz-Byard to reflect on the government’s gambling reforms, making polluters pay for the damage they do to the climate, and the state of Australian politics.
This episode was recorded live as part of the Australia Institute’s webinar series on Wednesday 5 August.
If this episode raised issues for you, you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 1800 858 858 for free, professional a...
Is Australian climate policy finally heading in the right direction?
A recent decision by the New South Wales state government is a crack in the wall of Australian climate inaction.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Leanne Minshull and Rod Campbell join Glenn Connley to discuss dodgy carbon credits, the Great Koala National Park in New South Wales, the federal government’s upcoming review of the Safeguard Mechanism, and the demise of Climate Active.
This episode was recorded Tuesday 4 August.
More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press, is av...
Is the fossil fuel industry facing an “imminent extinction event”?
Much of the world is moving away from fossil fuels, so why is Australia’s gas industry still expanding?
On this episode of Follow the Money, renewable energy entrepreneur Assaad Razzouk joins Australia Institute co-CEO Leanne Minshull to discuss how the war on Iran is accelerating the global shift away from fossil fuels and why Australia risks being left behind.
This episode was recorded Wednesday 8 July.
Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four...
As American democracy faces huge tests, is Australia prepared for the worst?
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 whether the Australian government is prepared for the possibility of disputed elections in its major alliance partner.
This episode was recorded Tuesday 21 July.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Au...
BONUS | What's the point of a gas export tax?
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.
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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 Australians are living with the consequences. He spells out the simple steps we need to take to fix it.
This episode was recorded on Friday 10 July.
Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia In...
After the landslide: Australian politics since the 2025 election
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 very different to how it did at the election.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute co-CEO Richard Denniss, Chief Political Analyst Amy Remeikis and Democracy & Accountability Director Bill Browne discuss what...
Australian states aren’t going broke, but they are being ripped off
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’re providing the high-quality services Australians deserve.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 7 July.
Check out the new Australia Institute podcast series, What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss. It’s a...
The Safeguard Mechanism is failing miserably
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.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 23 June.
Guest: Fergus Green, co-author of ‘Safeguarding the fossil fuel industry?’ and Associate Professor, University College London // @fergusgreen
Guest: Frances Medlock, co-author of ‘Safeguarding...
Australians overwhelmingly back abortion access, but the politics are getting more toxic
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 politics in the United States and United Kingdom on Australia.
This episode was recorded on Friday 19 June.
Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute
Guest: Hamdi Jama, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the Australia Institute
Hos...
Gas tax: let the people decide
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 the petition calling for a national plebiscite on a 25% Gas Export Tax.
Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Aust...
Jane Caro on the battle for public education
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, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The battle for public education.
The original conversation was recorded live on 3 June 2026. Stay across all of our events by signing up to our newsletter.
Supp...
Antoinette Lattouf on women who win
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 and change.
The original conversation was recorded live on 29 May 2026. Stay across all of our events and webinars by signing up to our newsletter.
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, informa...
Online gambling “reshaping a whole generation” as government reforms fall well short
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 turbocharging the damage caused by gambling, and the government’s straw man argument about “balance” when it comes to reform.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 26 May.
If this episode raised issues for...
Victoria’s donations shambles puts rest of country “on notice”
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 to political donations reform is needed – not legislation that skews the system in favour of major parties.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 19 May.
Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and...
Budget 2026: serious housing reforms but a missed opportunity to tax gas exports
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” cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and why some “broken promises” may not be such a big deal in the eyes of Australians.
This episode was recorded on Wednesday 13 May.
The latest Van...
Is the national anti-corruption body failing?
After major missteps, the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) is falling well short of the gold standard for integrity bodies.
On this episode of Follow the Money, journalist and writer Nick Feik joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the NACC’s handling of its Robodebt investigation, its decision not to hold public hearings so far, and concerns about the legal experience required of some senior leaders.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 5 May and some things may have changed.
The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Ca...
Greens leader Larissa Waters on the housing crisis, gas exports & taxing the 1%
How have a select few accumulated such colossal wealth while many Australians struggle?
On this episode of Follow the Money, Senator Larissa Waters, leader of the Australian Greens, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the causes of Australia’s housing crisis, making gas exporters pay their fair share, and the Greens’ new ‘tax the 1%’ campaign.
The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
Guest: Larissa Waters, Australian Greens leader and Senator for Quee...
David Pocock on getting a fair return for Australian gas
Australia is one of the largest exporters of gas in the world, yet beer drinkers pay more tax than the gas industry pays in Petroleum Resources Rent Tax.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Senator David Pocock and Dr Richard Denniss join Leanne Minshull to discuss the case for a 25 per cent gas export tax, why Australians currently get so little in return for the country’s finite resources, and how the gas industry wields power in parliament.
This episode was recorded live at the Australia Institute’s Politics in the Pub event on Wedn...
US allies reassess as Trump undermines global security
With President Trump spewing threats at friends and foes, the American government has gone off the rails.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss Trump’s genocidal threats against Iran, his efforts to subvert US democracy, his administration’s growing isolation from long-time allies, and why it’s time for the Australian government to reassess its relationship with the United States.
This episode was recorded on Monday 13 April.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Au...
Yanis Varoufakis on misogyny, resistance and why everything could be different
There is no reason our societies can’t change radically, to produce more of what we need and less of the things that are sowing the seeds of our own destruction, says Yanis Varoufakis.
On this episode of Follow the Money, we bring you highlights from the recent Australian tour of economist and author Yanis Varoufakis, with contributions from a cast of very special guests. Across live events in Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, they discuss misogyny, political power, the erosion of Palestinian rights, and Yanis’ latest book, Raise Your Soul: A Personal History of Resistance.
Beco...
Prices skyrocket but major fuel shortages "very unlikely"
Petrol and diesel prices are sky high because of the illegal US-Israel war on Iran, but major fuel shortages in Australia are very unlikely.
Matt Grudnoff and Ebony Bennett discuss Australia’s relatively strong position in global energy supply chains. Matt explains why some petrol stations have run low despite overall fuel supplies remaining steady, how the price hikes are fuelling inequality, and why Scott Morrison’s 2021 claim about an electric vehicle policy putting an “end to the weekend” now looks even more absurd than it did at the time.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 3...
How a gas export tax could transform Australia
A 25% gas export tax would drive down gas prices for Australians and collect billions of dollars that can be used to provide better, cheaper health and education services.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Ebony Bennett discuss the case for a 25% gas export tax and the New South Wales government’s ban on new coal mines.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 24 March.
You can sign the Australia Institute’s petition calling on the federal government to make gas exporters pay their fair share.
Guest: Rod Campbell, Resea...
Australia’s fossil fuel subsidies are out of control
Now costing Australian governments $31,020 per minute, fossil fuel subsidies are growing faster than spending on the NDIS.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Ebony Bennett discuss why it’s time to call out the idea that governments can’t afford to support Australians in need yet still dish out $16.3 billion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2025-26 alone.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 17 March.
What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at chec...
AUKUS drags Australia towards US-Israel war on Iran
The Australian government has been trying to placate Trump in order to secure the AUKUS submarine deal – and now we are seeing the results.
On this episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss the illegal US-Israel war in Iran, the implications of the conflict for the Middle East, and why Australian personnel were on board an American nuclear-powered submarine when it sank an Iranian warship.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 10 March.
What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Ku...
Gary Stevenson on wealth inequality and the rise of the far-right
The far-right is benefitting from a failing status quo – but it doesn’t have to be this way.
On this episode of Follow the Money, author and economist Gary Stevenson joins Ebony Bennett to discuss wealth inequality, the global issue of housing unaffordability, why Australia should tax gas properly, and how many far-right parties have become the Steven Bradburys of global politics.
This episode was recorded on Thursday 26 February.
What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at c...
“On the brink of extinction”: Niki Savva on the modern Liberal Party
Shedding voters on the left and the right, is the Liberal Party heading for “oblivion”?
On this episode of Follow the Money, journalist and author Niki Savva and Australia Institute co-Chief Executive Officer Dr Richard Denniss join Amy Remeikis to discuss how the Liberal Party ended up with their worst federal election result in modern history in 2025, why there’s no such thing as a safe seat in Australian politics anymore, and Nikki’s latest book, Earthquake: the election that shook Australia.
This episode was recorded live at the Australia Institute’s Politics in the Pub in Can...
Joseph Stiglitz on super profits, capital gains and why corporate tax is good for democracy
Inequality creates insecurity and, as the United States is demonstrating right now, that insecurity can have devasting consequences for democracy.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Nobel Prize-winning economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz joins Ebony Bennett and Dr Richard Denniss to discuss why Australia should get a better return for its natural resources, the power of corporations to mark up prices and push down wages, and why democracies should collect more corporate tax.
This episode was recorded live on Wednesday 11 February 2026.
What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty...
