A new book, "See What you Made Me Do" by Walkley-award winning investigative journalist Jess Hill looks at the national emergency that is domestic violence or what Jess now calls domestic abuse. Trigger warning: some of the content we are going to discuss and the clips of various government anti-violence campaigns may be upsetting for some listeners and might not be appropriate for young ears. Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest: Jess Hill, author and journalist // @jessradioSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The recent Pacific Islands Forum turned from a 'Pacific step up' to a Pacific step back for Scott Morrison, as Australia held a hardline on coal and emissions cuts.  Former president of Kiribati, Anote Tong urged that Australia's membership of the Pacific Island Forum to be reviewed, asking "How can you justify being part of a family and part of a group which you're trying to destroy?" and Follow the Money was fortunate enough to speak to him while he was in Canberra. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

First there were dead fish and towns running out of water, then #Watergate and now Four Corners have done an investigation into the Murray Darling Basin — again. Big picture...what's going on? Host: Rod Campbell, research director at The Australia Institute // @R_o_d_C Contributors: Maryanne Slattery, senior water researcher at the Australia Institute // @MaryanneSlatte1Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two months ago, the Treasurer delivered a budget with rosy economic figures - what the hell happened? Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Contributors: Richard Denniss, chief economist at the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's mass confusion about the new Senate voting system. Follow the Money unpacks how to get the most out of your Senate ballot paper. Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Contributors: Richard Denniss, chief economist at the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is Australia in the midst of a wages crisis? In this episode, Follow the Money explains how we got here.  Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Contributors: Jim Stanford, economist and director of the Centre for Future Work // @jimbostanford Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Follow the Money unpacks everything you need to know about the federal budget.  Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermacey  Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Contributors:  Richard Denniss, chief economist at the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What the hell is dividend imputation and why is everyone talking about franking credits? In this episode, Follow the Money explains how it all works.  Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Contributors: Richard Denniss, chief economist at the Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAI Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Follow The Money's summer special series! If you're taking a break this summer, but still crave a political fix, settle in a listen to the 'best of' from the Australia Institute's live politics in the pub events this year. In his Quarterly Essay, Dead Right, Richard Denniss talks about how neoliberalism ate itself, what he has in common with Matt Canavan and Tony Abbott and what comes next? Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Follow The Money's summer special series! If you're taking a break this summer, but still crave a political fix, settle in a listen to the 'best of' from the Australia Institute's live politics in the pub events this year. Launching the book Wrong Way, Senator Doug Cameron talks about privatisation and how some economic reforms backfired.  Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Contributors: Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Follow The Money's summer special series! If you're taking a break this summer, but still crave a political fix, settle in a listen to the 'best of' from the Australia Institute's live politics in the pub events this year. Ten years after the global financial crisis, Wayne Swan, Tanya Plibersek and Jim Chalmers revisit the Labor government's stimulus package which kept Australia out of recession. Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Follow The Money's summer special series! If you're taking a break this summer, but still crave a political fix, settle in a listen to the 'best of' from the Australia Institute's live politics in the pub events this year. Investigative journalist Clare Rewcastle Brown wanted logging in Sarawak to stop. The Malaysian Prime Minister wanted her jailed. Now he is in jail. And Clare Rewcastle Brown was awarded the Bob Brown Foundation's Environmentalist of the Year 2018.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Follow The Money's summer special series! If you're taking a break this summer, but still crave a political fix, settle in a listen to the 'best of' from the Australia Institute's live politics in the pub events this year. In this episode you will hear from Nobel laureate economist and winner of the 2018 Sydney Peace Prize, Professor Joseph Stiglitz.  Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Contributors: Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Follow The Money's summer special series! If you're taking a break this summer, but still crave a political fix, settle in a listen to the 'best of' from the Australia Institute's live politics in the pub events this year. In this second episode of our summer series and one year on from the marriage equality vote, we bring you the launch of Yes Yes Yes: Australia's journey to marriage equality with co-authors Alex Greenwich and Dr Shirleene Robinson and launched by Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Follow The Money's summer special series! If you're taking a break this summer, but still crave a political fix, settle in a listen to the 'best of' from the Australia Institute's live politics in the pub events this year. First up, the end-of-year political wrap with press gallery journos Amy Remeikis, Rob Harris, Bevan Shields and Annika Smethurst. 2018: what the hell even was that? Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Contributors: Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As 2018 draws to a close, Australia's climate and energy policy remains almost entirely unresolved. While the government under Scott Morrison has a Minister for bringing down energy prices, it really has no clear plans to reduce emissions and has flagged plans to underwrite new coal-fired power. Meanwhile Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has announced Labor's 15 billion dollar energy package, with a whole suite of measures aimed at boosting renewable energy, cutting greenhouse gas pollution and reducing electricity prices.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly claimed Australia will meet its Paris commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030 'in a canter', but is this true? As we approach the next United Nations climate negotiations in the Polish town of Katowice, the Institute's director of Climate & Energy Richie Merzian and senior economist Matt Grudnoff unpack the myths and cut through the rhetoric. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten years ago, on September 15th 2008 the US investment bank - Lehman brothers collapsed - triggering panic on financial markets around the world and the start of what we in Australia call the Global Financial crisis. So what lessons were learnt? How appropriate was Australia's response? What is the political legacy of the GFC? And can it happen again? At the Australia Institute, we have been helping start a new conversation about what we can learn from the past and what we must do in the future.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Ben Oquist talks to John Hewson -- former Liberal leader, Professor at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy and former member for Wentworth -- about climate change and Liberal party politics and Dr Hewson did not hold back. This episode is an excerpt of our Politics in the Pub event in Canberra on 12 September, following John Hewson's launch of Climate of the Nation 2018, a benchmark survey of Australian attitudes towards climate change that has been running for over 10 years.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Michelle Grattan joins Ben Oquist to discuss what's wrong with politics and how to fix it. This discussion, ranging from our current 'coup culture' to Julia Banks' resignation, was recorded at our Politics in the Pub event in Canberra. Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at The Australia Institute // @ebony_bennett Contributors: Michelle Grattan, Chief Political Correspondent at The Conversation // @michellegrattanBen Oquist, Executive Director at The Australia Institute // @benoquist Producer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermaceySupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why, after 27 years of economic growth and a mining boom, how can Australia be too broke to afford high quality rape crisis services, or to increase Newstart above the poverty line? Today you'll hear the Australia Institute's Chief Economist Richard Denniss at the official launch of his June Quarterly Essay - Dead Right: how neoliberalism ate itself and what comes next. And a language warning - Richard drops the f-bomb about halfway through.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"the vast majority of the money being handed out is going to go to high income earners..." The Australia Institute was in the 2018 Budget Lockup, and subsequently have gone through the budget papers. Listen to two top economists break it down and give you the straight facts in a way that you won't hear from the pollies. >> Read the Australia Institute's full Budget Wrap 2018Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a special "Pocket Money" episode of Follow the Money, released on the eve of the Budget, we discuss the 14 reasons why the case for the company tax cuts collapsed. See below for all the ways you can find our Budget analysis.  Our original episode discussing the company tax cuts can be found here. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Burning something to boil water to create steam is a really old-fashioned technology..." The Australia Institute has spent the hot summer days monitoring when gas and coal power plants trip, taking sometimes hundreds of megawatts of power from the grid at unpredictable times. In contrast, solar power is taking pressure of the grid by delaying peak demand by several hours on days of extreme heat. Read Mark Ogge's report Can't stand the heat.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Affluenza is that strange desire we feel to spend money we don't have to buy things we don't need to impress people we don't know . . ." A truly modern affliction, affluenza is endemic in Western societies, encouraged by those who profit from a culture of exploitation and waste. So how do we cure ourselves? In today's episode Ebony talks to Chief Economist Richard Denniss about why we must distinguish between consumerism and materialism. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Korean missile tests, resolving the South China Sea issues, ethnic cleansing in Myanmar - there is a lot happening in the defence and security policy space right, but are we engaged enough to tackle these problems in a smart way? Dr Andrew Carr of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the ANU has written a new report for the Australia Institute I'm here for the argument: why bipartisanship on security makes Australia less safe.  Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next year marks the 10th anniversary of the Global Financial Crisis. In 2008 the banks in Australia wobbled, the economy stalled, unemployment rose and the Government acted. The GFC demonstrated a failure of trickle-down economics. Ten years later, with rising populism, it is clearer now more than ever that we need a replacement to the neo-liberal economic order. What are the lessons learned from the GFC that we can use to build a new economic agenda to address inequality and inclusive growth?Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's young people have been unfairly targeted by policies that have loaded them up with uni debts, locked them out of housing market and crippled them on the 'flexible' job front, and any changes that might address this imbalance are 'grandfathered' in so that they don't affect anyone who is presently in a position of power, that's what our Chief Economist Richard Denniss argues in his essay for the June edition of The Monthly - calledSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The South Australian state government announced in late June 2017 that it was going to follow the Federal government and introduce a levy on the big banks. Episode 19 of Follow The Money, explains why the banks can absolutely afford the levy, why it's a good idea economically and just how small the levy really is compared to -- for example -- the salaries of the CEOs of the big 4 banks. Host: Deputy Director Ebony Bennett // @ebony_bennettSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight, as the Treasurer rose to give his Budget address in the house, our Deputy Director Ebony Bennett grabbed our Chief Economist Richard Denniss and Senior economist Matt Grudnoff for a chat about the Budget, straight after they emerged from the Budget lockup.  Thi podcast isn't a comprehensive discussion of the Budget, but we tried to touch on some of the main items, including:Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Housing Affordability is not only a massive policy failure, but is increasingly vying for the gold medal for the most spin and econobabble in Australian politics. Episode 18 of Follow The Money, takes on the vexed issue and tackles the latest bad idea that won't help housing affordability - raiding your super to pay for a deposit. Host: Deputy Director Ebony Bennett // @ebony_bennettSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 17 of Follow The Money, we tackle the current energy debate, including the South Australian blackouts, the war on renewables, what Christmas prawns have to do with baseload power and why the way we heat hot water offends our Chief Economist Richard Denniss.  Host: Deputy Director Ebony Bennett // @ebony_bennettSupport Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Follow The Money this week features former Republican Congressman for South Carolina, Bob Inglis on his Australian tour, hosted by The Australia Institute. Bob Inglis is a very rare bird indeed. He's a real conservative - Christian, Southern, 'small-government', you name it. But his greatest passion is tackling climate change. You heard right! Inglis has become a leading advocate on how to communicate with and convince conservatives that they can be leaders on this issue and there is no need to 'retreat into denialism'. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Follow The Money summer specials continue with an absolute pearler from the first Politics in the Pub last year (2016) featuring charasmatic, controversial Senator, Sam Dastyari. Richard Denniss described it as 'the best Politics in the Pub speach yet.' Senatory Dastyari opened with the omission that he was 'A product of the Labor machine'. And he was just getting started as he talked about his take on power and who really runs the country. Featuring:Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to our third Follow The Money summer special! It's still probably scorching hot if you're somewhere in Australia, but it's even hotter in Kiribati. This weeks special features the 'Hero of the Pacific', President Anote Tong. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to our second Follow The Money summer special! If you're taking a break this summer, but still craving a political fix - we are here to help. Over the summer we'll bring you the highlights from The Australia Institute's popular Politics in the Pub live sessions from 2016.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to our first Follow The Money summer special! If you're taking a break this summer, but still craving a political fix - we are here to help. Over the summer we'll bring you the highlights from The Australia Institute's popular Politics in the Publive sessions from 2016. In this episode you'll hear our 2016 political wrap from earlier this month, featuring our Executive Director Ben Oquist and special guests:Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a special mini-episode we've dubbed "Pocket Money" we take a look at the recent developments with Adani's Carmichael coal mine in Queensland's Galilee Basin.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House prices - what is to blame? Our economists look at the claim from the Prime Minister that the ABCC was needed to stop 'union thugs' pushing up house prices. They also look at the tax breaks for investors. No prizes for guessing what the evidence shows is actually effecting house prices.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How much is a hole in the ground worth? Australia has considered building a nuclear waste dump many times over the decades. Each time, the proposal has fallen through. This time, in South Australia, proponents are making $100 billion dollar claims. Richard and Rod take a look at those claims and the economics of building nuclear waste dumps.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economic models are like a lot of things in life: What you get out of them depends on what you put in. But therein lies the problem. When reporting focuses on the 'findings' without looking at what assumptions underpin politically influential economic models, it leaves us vulnerable to what Richard calls the 'peak-stupid of econobabble'.Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interest rates may be one of the most discussed and least understood area of economics in Australia. Our Chief Economist and Senior Economist discuss the whats and whys of Reserve Bank policy and how interest rates really effect people and the broader economy. Contributors: Richard Denniss - @RDNS_TAI  Matt Grudnoff - @MattGrudnoff Ebony Bennett - @ebony_bennett. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Australia live without coal? Episode 7 of Follow the Money looks at the economics of coal and how a moratorium on new mines would help stop the boom and inevitable bust cycle, and instead create a smooth transition to a low carbon future. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 6, we tackle the perennial favourite of politicians in an election year - income tax cuts. Do personal income tax cuts really lead to economic growth and job creation? Does more money in the wallet increase incentives and make people work harder? We put those claims to the test. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Australia Institute's podcast series, Follow the Money, this week takes on Company Tax. What is it? How much does it raise? Who pays it? Who is saying that we should cut it, and 'cui bono' - who benefits? Contributors:Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode four of Follow The Money is a special edition - In conversation with Richard Denniss about the subject and title of his new book: Econobabble. So what is econobabble? Ebony Bennett talks to Richard Denniss about why we shouldn't be afraid of upsetting 'the markets' and how you can call commentators on their bullsh*t. Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode three of The Australia Institute's exciting new podcast series Follow The Money looks at Negative Gearing. You can subscribe to Follow The Money on iTunes.  Contributors:Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second episode of The Australia Institute's exciting new podcast series Follow The Money looks at Australia's superannuation system. You can subscribe to Follow The Money on iTunes.  Contributors:Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The first episode of The Australia Institute's exciting new podcast series Follow The Money looks at the economics behind Australia's mining boom. You can subscribe to Follow The Money on iTunes.  Contributors:Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.