Dollars & Sense cover art

Dollars & Sense

Dollars & Sense

By: The Australia Institute
Listen for free

About this listen

Economic data can tell us a lot about what's happening the economy and society, but it's easy to get lost in data. Dollars and Sense dives into the latest economic figures to explain how they impact you and what they tell us about the state of the Australian economy, with host Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia.

2026 The Australia Institute
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • 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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • Real wages are down, but apparently inflation is all your fault
    Feb 19 2026

    Wages aren’t driving higher inflation, so why do workers always seem to cop the blame?

    On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Angus discuss why Coles is in court over its pricing, whether it’s time to panic with government debt set to hit $1 trillion, and the role of corporate profits in driving inflation.

    This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 18 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: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @angusrb

    Show notes:

    As real wage growth falls again, Australian workers must feel the economy is rigged against them by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)

    Joseph Stiglitz on super profits, capital gains and why corporate tax is good for democracy, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Are record property prices on the way (again)?
    Feb 12 2026

    On the back of ongoing tax concessions primarily benefitting the wealthiest and the government’s five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers, Australia has just broken a new record for average home loan size.

    On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the persistent rumours of changes to the capital gains tax discount, why government spending isn’t to blame for the latest inflation increase, and the impact of the federal government’s five per cent deposit scheme on lending figures (and don’t discuss wages as promised last week, cus Greg can’t read a calendar).

    This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 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: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek

    Show notes:

    Will the government finally deliver a housing policy that stops making a bad situation worse? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)

    “They rushed this”: why the Reserve Bank got it wrong by raising rates, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

    Profit in home lending by David Richardson, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

    Submission to the Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

    Australia’s great gas giveaway by Mark Ogge, Rod Campbell and Piers Verstegan, the Australia Institute (May 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 Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
All stars
Most relevant
I listen to every episode. These are economists, data analysts, writers and researchers*. Thanks to the Australia Institute. You rock!
*May have missed a few dozen** roles and titles.
** May be an exageration
PS: Can't belive my words and phrases are in the lexicon here and worldwide! My job here is done.

Informative Economists

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.