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Follow The Money

Follow The Money

By: The Australia Institute
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Economics and politics explained in plain English

2025 The Australia Institute
Political Science Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Australia doesn't need AUKUS
    Jun 18 2025

    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 make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.

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

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

    Show notes:

    AUKUS is a disaster for Australia. Trump has given us an out – let’s take it by Emma Shortis, The Sydney Morning Herald (June 2025)

    Australia must resist US bullying to increase its military spending by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (June 2025)

    Submerged, Four Corners, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (June 2025)

    Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine (Pillar 1) Project: Background and Issues for Congress, Congressional Research Service (February 2025)

    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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    34 mins
  • Now is the time for brave reform
    Jun 11 2025

    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 or wherever you get your podcasts.

    Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.

    Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss

    Guest: Maiy Azize, National Spokesperson for Everybody's Home and Deputy Director of Anglicare Australia // @MaiyAzize

    Guest: Polly Hemming, Director of Climate & Energy Program, the Australia Institute // @pollyjhemming

    Guest: Thomas Mayo, Assistant National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia // @thomasmayo

    Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award-winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay

    Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley

    Show notes:

    Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia 2025 by Matt Grudnoff and Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

    Offsetting Us Up To Fail: The myths of ‘nature markets’ explained by Richard Denniss and Polly Hemming, the Australia Institute (November 2022)

    Housing affordability crisis – saving for a deposit forever by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

    Truth in political advertising laws, the Australia Institute (December 2024)

    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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    30 mins
  • Profit vs priceless heritage: the fight to save Murujuga
    Jun 4 2025

    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 today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.

    Host: Stephen Long, Stephen Long, Senior Fellow and Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute // @StephenLongAus

    Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek

    Show notes:

    The fight to save Murujuga, the Australia Institute (May 2025)

    Gas export approval puts gas corporations before Australians, the Australia Institute (May 2025)

    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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins

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