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Australia Matters

Australia Matters

By: The Australia Institute
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Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

2026 The Australia Institute
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Gary Stevenson on wealth inequality and the rise of the far-right
    Mar 3 2026

    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 checkout to get free shipping.

    You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.

    Guest: Gary Stevenson, economist and author of The Trading Game // @garyseconomics

    Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

    Show notes:

    Tax: Beer drinkers vs gas companies by Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

    Killing the Australian Dream: The failure of the capital gains tax discount by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

    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 Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    28 mins
  • The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos
    Mar 2 2026

    The ‘president of peace’ has started another war with Iran, with no apparent regard for the consequences.

    On this episode of After America, Allan Behm and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US-Israeli attacks on Iran and the assassination of its leader, Trump and Netanyahu’s cynical messages for the Iranian people, what this war means for nuclear proliferation, and the Australian government’s “deeply disappointing” response.

    This discussion was recorded on Monday 2 March 2026.

    The latest Vantage Point essay, What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

    Guest: Allan Behm, Advisor, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute

    Host: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

    Show notes:

    The Mar-a-Lago model: how Trump is trying to dominate global governance, After America, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

    Shorter America This Week: The State of the Union is... bad; AI is also bad; But hard times ain't gonna rule my mind by Emma Shortis, The Point (February 2026)

    How to foster global lawlessness: Destroy the UN and its agencies by Allan Behm, The Point (January 2026)

    Theme music: 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 Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    27 mins
  • Why the wealthiest don’t need another tax cut
    Feb 26 2026

    Australia is a low taxing nation, but Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson still seems to want the highest earners to pay less.

    On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Skye discuss Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson’s call for tax cuts, why tariffs won’t be replacing income tax despite Donald Trump’s claims, Australia’s bizarre subsidies for fossil fuels, and why Greg reckons he wouldn’t take a tasty pay rise to go to the dark side.

    This discussion was recorded on Thursday 26 February 2026.

    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 checkout to get free shipping.

    You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.

    Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

    Host: Skye Predavec, Researcher, the Australia Institute // @skyelark

    Show notes:

    Finally fixing capital gains tax is good – but linking it to another tax cut for Australia’s rich is bollocks by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)

    Australia’s most costly anti-climate policy hits taxpayers for $30m a day as calls mount to wind back fuel tax credits by Adam Morton, Guardian Australia (February 2026)

    ACCC alleges Coles mimicked Woolworths in ‘disguising’ big price hikes by Max Mason and Carrie LaFrenz, Australian Financial Review (February 2026)

    Corporate profits increase inflation, the Australia Institute (December 2024)

    Theme music: 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 Australia Matters: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
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