• A chance to be brave: understanding Australia's election result
    May 7 2025

    With the influence of its historical opponents waning, is anything standing in the way of the Labor Government passing ambitious reforms?

    On this episode of Follow the Money, Chief Political Analyst Amy Remeikis and Chief Economist Greg Jericho join Ebony Bennett to discuss the election result, the legislative priorities of the new parliament and the future of the conservative side of politics.

    This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 6 May 2025 and things may have changed.

    Pre-order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to our Vantage Point series on the Australia Institute website.

    Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // @amyremeikis

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

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

    Show notes:

    There is no such thing as a safe seat | Fact sheet, the Australia Institute (October 2024)

    Reforming university governance in Australia by John Quiggin, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

    Migration is not out of control and the figures show it is not to blame for the housing crisis by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

    Australia’s sick housing joke, Dollars & Sense, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

    Polling: Australia-US relations, 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.

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    39 mins
  • Could the polls be wrong?
    Apr 30 2025

    The polls are pointing to a likely Labor victory on Saturday, but could Dutton’s suburban strategy still bear fruit?

    As election day approaches, former Fairfax Chief Political Correspondent Professor Mark Kenny joins Glenn Connley to discuss the performances of Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton on the campaign trail, plus Australians’ response to Trump’s return, on this episode of Follow the Money.

    This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 29 April 2025 and things may have changed.

    Follow all the action from the federal election on our new politics live blog, Australia Institute Live with Amy Remeikis.

    Guest: Mark Kenny, Professor of Australian Studies and host of Democracy Sausage, the Australian National University // @markgkenny

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

    Show notes:

    ‘Could Dutton's suburban strategy still work?’ by Mark Kenny, The Canberra Times (April 2025)

    Election entrée: Early voting in Australia by Skye Predavec, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

    Where do journalists live?, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

    Polling – President Trump, security and the US–Australian alliance, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

    Two-thirds of Australians refuse to pay more for nuclear: new research, the Australia Institute

    Power sharing in Australian parliaments, the Australia Institute (July 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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    35 mins
  • Trump and the Australian election
    Apr 22 2025

    The United States is disappearing down an authoritarian rabbit hole and Australian leaders are struggling to respond.

    On this crossover episode of After America and Follow the Money, Ebony Bennett and Dr Emma Shortis discuss the US administration’s mass deportations, the scandals surrounding the Departments of Defense and State, and why Australian democratic institutions are worth defending.

    This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 22 April 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

    Order ‘After America: Australia and the new world order’ or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store.

    Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @EmmaShortis

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

    Show notes:

    Polling – President Trump, security and the US–Australian alliance, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

    'The Russians aren’t coming: Peter Dutton’s poor judgment distracts from Australia’s rare geopolitical opportunity' by Allan Behm, Guardian Australia (April 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.

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    35 mins
  • The cruel housing hoax
    Apr 16 2025

    Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne discuss the federal election campaign so far, the performance of the media, and how preferential voting actually works.

    On this episode of Follow the Money, the Australia Institute’s Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne join guest host Stephen Long to discuss housing policy, the Australian electoral system, and the need for truth in political advertising laws.

    This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 15 April 2025 and things may have changed.

    Follow all the action from the federal election on our new politics live blog, Australia Institute Live with Amy Remeikis.

    Order 'After America: Australia and the new world order' or become a foundation subscriber to Vantage Point at australiainstitute.org.au/store.

    Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // @amyremeikis

    Guest: Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability, the Australia Institute // @browne90

    Host: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow & Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute // @stephenlongaus

    Show notes:

    Migrants are not to blame for soaring house prices by Matt Grudnoff, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

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

    Newspaper competition in Australia by Rod Campbell, Skye Predavec and Stephen Long, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

    Busting myths on Q+A | Richard Denniss highlights, the Australia Institute (April 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.

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    34 mins
  • Big gas is taking the piss
    Apr 9 2025

    Peter Dutton has it half right on gas. There is no supply shortage, but Australians need to be using less gas – not more.

    On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Mark Ogge join Ebony Bennett to discuss the fixing Australia’s gas export problem, making gas companies pay their fair share in taxes and royalties, and why there is no need for new gas projects.

    This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 8 April 2025 and things may have changed.

    Follow all the action from the federal election on our new politics live blog, Australia Institute Live with Amy Remeikis.

    Guest: Mark Ogge, Principal Advisor, the Australia Institute // @markogge

    Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell

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

    Show notes:

    Peter Dutton’s gas export tax is a good idea – and a turning point, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

    Giving away gas to 2030 by Mark Ogge, Rod Campbell and Matt Saunders, the Australia Institute (April 2025)

    Fossil fuel subsidies hit $15 billion, as crossbench seeks reform, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

    ‘Coalition pollster Freshwater Strategy working with 'astroturfing' pro-gas group’ by Pat McGrath and Kirsten Robb, ABC News (April 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.

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    36 mins
  • Home economics: housing, living standards and the federal election
    Apr 2 2025

    With housing affordability at an all-time low and the spectre of Trump looming large over our region, Australians’ standard of living will be at the heart of the debate from now until election day.

    On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute economists Matt Grudnoff and Jack Thrower join Ebony Bennett to discuss the Australian economy and the federal election campaign.

    This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 1 April 2025 and things may have changed.

    Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

    Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff

    Guest: Jack Thrower, Research Economist, the Australia Institute // @jack-thrower

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

    Show notes:

    Raising revenue right: Better tax ideas for the 48th Parliament by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

    Fuel excise cut: bad policy and not worth as much as advertised by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

    Housing affordability crisis – Saving for a deposit forever by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 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.

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    31 mins
  • Don't gut our enviornmental laws
    Mar 26 2025

    The Government’s proposed environmental law changes are an attack on our democracy and could benefit destructive industries far beyond Tasmania’s coastal ecosystems.

    On this episode of Follow the Money, Ebony Bennett discusses the Government’s efforts to weaken the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act with Australia Institute Executive Director Dr Richard Denniss and Strategy Director Leanne Minshull.

    This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 25 March 2025 and things may have changed.

    Sign our petition calling on the Government not to gut Australia’s environment laws.

    Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

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

    Guest: Leanne Minshull, Strategy Director, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull

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

    Show notes:

    Small Fish, Big Pond: Tasmanian salmon industry job numbers & tax payments, the Australia Institute (

    ‘Salmon spin and pollution all a bit fishy’ by Eloise Carr and Rob Campbell, The Mercury (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 Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    25 mins
  • Fish out of water
    Mar 19 2025

    Chunks of dead salmon have washed up on Tasmanian beaches and the Maugean skate is at risk of extinction, so why won’t governments to more to rein in the salmon industry in Tasmania?

    On this episode of Follow the Money, Eloise Carr, Director of the Australia Institute Tasmania, the Federal Government’s dangerous proposal to get around Australia’s already inadequate environmental protections and why salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour needs to end.

    This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 19 March 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

    Sign our petition to end salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.

    Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

    Guest: Eloise Carr, Director, the Australia Institute Tasmania // @eloise-carr

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

    Show notes:

    Bombshell FOI reveals fish farms have been inadequately assessed for impact on threatened species and World Heritage, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

    Australians must be protected from diseased salmon, the Australia Institute (February 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.

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    23 mins