The public sector is under fire, but is it really as inefficient as DOGE and Dutton claim? On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Fiona Macdonald, Acting Director at the Centre for Future Work, joins Glenn Connley to discuss Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, Peter Dutton’s plan to axe public service jobs, and why the private sector generally doesn’t deliver better public services. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 12 March 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute web ..read more

Polls point to a power-sharing government being the most likely outcome at the upcoming federal election, but how do they actually work? Independent Senator David Pocock and Tony Windsor AM, former independent parliamentarian who held the balance of power during the Gillard minority government, join Amy Remeikis to discuss how they negotiate with the major parties, the growth of the independent and minor party vote, and why there’s so much fearmongering about minority governments in Australia. This discussion was recorded live on Wednesday 26 February 2025 and things may have changed since rec ..read more

For communities in Tuvalu and Kiribati, climate change isn’t an abstract threat – it’s having a real-time impact on their lives and culture. On this bonus episode of Follow the Money, Walkley Award-winning journalist Stephen Long speaks to three young climate advocates about the impact of climate change in Tuvalu and Kiribati, their dismay at the continued expansion of fossil fuels by Australia and other developed nations, and how they are fighting for the future of their societies. Subscribe to Between the Lines, the Australia Institute’s fortnightly newsletter. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 ..read more

By laying off tens of thousands of federal employees, challenging the authority of judges and throwing erstwhile allies under the bus, the Trump administration is radically reshaping America and its role in the world. On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss Trump’s efforts to “rinse” Ukraine for its resources, the administration’s moves to dismantle significant portions of the Federal Government, and how the Australian Government can use its significant bargaining power to push back against the American President. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 2 ..read more

The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates for the first time since November 2020 – so is the Australian economy out of the woods? On this crossover episode of Follow the Money and Dollars & Sense, Greg Jericho and Ebony Bennett discuss what’s going on with inflation, the performance of the Reserve Bank and whether the Government deserves the credit for setting the economy on a better course. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 19 February 2025 and things may have changed since recording.  Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institu ..read more

We discuss Trump’s new tariffs on steel and aluminium imports and what they’ll mean for Australia. On this episode of Follow the Money, Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff joins Ebony Bennett to explain how tariffs work, Trump’s 25 per cent levy on steel and aluminium imports, and how big a deal this will be for Australia. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 11 February 2025 and things may have changed since recording.  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 Institu ..read more

Australia needs an electoral system that’s genuinely fair, not a two-tiered system that favours the major parties. On this episode of Follow the Money, Democracy & Accountability Director Bill Browne joins us to discuss the latest political donations data and why tens of thousands of Australians are concerned about the Government’s proposed electoral changes. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 4 February 2025 and things may have changed since recording.  Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.  Guest: Bill Brow ..read more

President Donald Trump has been issuing Executive Orders and dominating the media cycle, trying to radically reshape America and the world in the process.   On this special crossover episode of After America and Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis and Ebony Bennett discuss the role of Elon Musk, Trump’s pause on all US foreign aid, his ability to ‘flood the zone’, and how this all affects Australia. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 28 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording.  Get your tickets for the Australia Institute’s Climate Integrity Summit 2025 now ..read more

Richard Denniss joins the show to discuss Trump’s inauguration and the upcoming federal election. On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to examine the year ahead in federal politics and how the Trump presidency could impact Australia. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 21 January 2025 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website. australiainstitute.org.au // @australiainstitute Guest: Richard Denniss, Executi ..read more

David Marr discusses the frontier wars and the shocking family discovery that led to his award-winning book, Killing for Country. On this Summer Book Club episode of Follow the Money, renowned journalist and author David Marr joins Ebony Bennett to discuss Killing for Country, his award-winning account of politics and power in colonial Australia. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 24 January 2024 and things may have changed since recording. To join our free Australia’s Biggest Book Club webinars live, register via our website.  Order the first book from our new imprint, What's ..read more