Dollars & Sense

Australia’s “pathetic” growth figures show that the Reserve Bank went too hard with interest rate increases, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss the latest GDP growth figures, how rate increases have damaged the economy and what might come next. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular colu...

Greg Jericho and Emma Shortis discuss the Harris-Walz economic agenda on this special Dollars & Sense x After America crossover episode. Republicans have tried to pin the Vice-President as ‘Comrade Kamala’, but are her economic policies all that radical? On this special After America and Dollars & Sense crossover, Dr Emma Shortis and Dr Greg Jericho discuss Harris’ economic agenda. Greg Je...

Super profits have driven up inflation, robbing all but the wealthiest Australians, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss the Greens’ ‘Robin Hood’ tax proposal, post-pandemic profits and the latest inflation data. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian...

Australia’s big banks are among the most profitable in the world, so forcing them to compete is essential, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor get out the world’s tiniest violin for Australia’s big banks, who are finally having to compete to offer better mortgage rates, and discuss why three of the 'big four' are now offering less for term deposits. Greg Jer...

A tax on the digital giants could be used to support free, public-interest journalism while implementing a total ban on gambling advertising, says Matt Grudnoff. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Australia Institute Senior Economist Matt Grudnoff and Elinor discuss the government’s gambling reforms and new research showing that the wealth of Australia’s richest 200 people nearly tripled ove...

The Reserve Bank Governor may be keeping her cards close to her chest, but a slowing economy means a rate cut this year could still be on the table, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss the pay increase for childcare workers, what’s happening in the stock market and the decision to keep interest rates on hold. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Au...

Flights in regional Australia are an essential public service, so the government could consider stepping in to support the stricken regional carrier, Rex, Greg Jericho says. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg and Elinor discuss Australia’s uncompetitive airline industry, the cost of privatising essential public services, and the latest inflation figures. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist...

Major Australian industries are vulnerable to the impacts of another US-China trade war, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg Jericho discusses the economic impact of a second Trump presidency for Australia and the region – and why four more years of Trump could be a disaster for the climate. Greg Jericho is Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for...

The prospect of tariff hikes and higher inflation in a second Trump term has economic policymakers nervous, says Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg Jericho discusses the latest International Monetary Fund Update on the global economy, the possible impact of American tariff hikes on global efforts to tackle inflation, and the real story behind Australia’s seemingly rosy une...

It’s not easy to screw up the housing market this badly – it’s taken Australia decades of bad policy and billions of dollars to get here, Matt Grudnoff says. How did Australia get itself into such a mess with housing? What impact is the crisis having on renters? And why does everyone seem to think investing in the property market is a good idea except the government? On this episode of Dollars &am...

The prime minister joked that the Coalition is turning communist, but having strong powers to break up the Coles-Woolies duopoly is sensible economic policy, Matt Grudnoff says. Would the divestiture powers proposed by the Federal Opposition and supported by the Greens help keep inflation down? And what impact will the new and improved stage three tax cuts have in the economy? On this episode of D...

The faux-debate over nuclear energy is a distraction from the main game – reducing our emissions to address the climate crisis, says Greg Jericho. With emissions reduction efforts stalled and energy bills spiking, why is Australia’s political class talking about nuclear plants that wouldn’t be ready for decades? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg Jericho addresses the Coalition’s nuclea...

At a time of major uncertainty in the economy, Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock’s honesty is refreshing, says Greg Jericho. What is driving the current uncertainty about the country’s economic trajectory? Why did the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) decide to keep interest rates on hold? And what does the latest data reveal about workplace gender inequality? On this episode of Dollars & Se...

The government is trying to strike a delicate balance in the economy, getting inflation down without sending the country into recession, says Greg Jericho. Isn't a surplus in the current economic climate a good thing? What causes productivity growth? And how do other nations measure unemployment? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg Jericho answers your questions and explains why some com...

Near-zero economic growth is a good sign of how bad things are, says Greg Jericho. After multiple interest rate increases in recent years, it’s the economy – not inflation – that’s slowing, with the latest figures showing that the Australian economy grew just 0.1 per cent in the last quarter. So why is gross domestic product (GDP) growth so hard to come by at the moment? On this episode of Dollars...

Inflation isn’t falling as fast as most economists want, but a rate rise now would do more harm than good, says Greg Jericho. With interest rates refusing to fall below three per cent, some analysts are making dire assessments of the Australia economy. But while so-called ‘sticky’ inflation isn’t great, it’s better than risking a huge drop in demand and a deep recession, according to Greg Jericho....

According to the Productivity Commission, wealth inequality declined during the COVID years due to boosted government support payments. And when those payments finished, predictably inequality went back up. The overwhelming majority of gains from economic growth since the GFC have gone to the wealthiest people. On this episode, Greg Jericho discusses inequality, poverty, and government support. Gr...

The pandemic and runaway inflation reversed more than a decade of progress on living standards in just two years – and it’s going to be a long wait for them to inch back, says Greg Jericho. What does the latest data reveal about Australian living standards? Why is there so much fearmongering about a wages breakout? And did the government hit the mark in the budget? On this episode, Greg Jericho di...

Calling for a ‘short recession’ as an economist is like calling for a ‘small war’ knowing you’ll never be on the frontlines, says Greg Jericho. Inflation isn’t coming down as fast as many hoped, but it’s still heading in the right direction. Some economists are calling for recession, but that’s playing with fire, according to Greg Jericho. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg calls for ca...

Budgets are about choices – and successive governments have chosen to punish jobseekers, says Greg Jericho. JobSeeker unemployment payments are “seriously inadequate” according to the government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee. But why has their value fallen so far behind the aged pension? And with budget night fast approaching, will the government choose to fix a broken system – or do its...

Annual inflation is on the way down, but rents remain high and many people’s higher education loans are growing, even after repayments, says Greg Jericho. The rising cost of university and record indexation is driving up student debt, putting a major burden on younger Australians. On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg explores what the government could do to address the situation, plus the...

The government is under fire for trying to ‘pick winners’, but green manufacturing could be the pony to get behind, says Greg Jericho. The Australian Government wants to create a future that’s ‘made in Australia’, but can it really compete with the likes of China and the United States? On this episode of Dollars & Sense , Greg explores whether the new Future Made in Australia strategy could sp...

Greg Jericho discusses the decisions facing the Reserve Bank in coming months and a new report showing that rate rises hurt Australians more than anyone in the world. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) shows that Australians feel the pinch of interest rate rises more than people in any other advanced economy. On this episode, Greg explores the reasons why – and why house prices have more to do...

The budget balance usually steals the headlines on budget night, but it’s not that important, says Greg Jericho. With budget night a little over a month away, Greg tees off on Australia’s political obsession with budget deficits. He argues it’s not a good measure of the health of the economy or of who is a better ‘economic manager’ – and the forecasts are often wildly wrong anyway. Greg Jericho is...

Despite claims by some business groups and commentators, a modest wage increase for workers isn’t going to send inflation skyrocketing, says Greg Jericho. On this episode, Greg explains that wages should be rising faster than inflation and says claims a five per cent wage increase for the lowest paid Australians will lead to out-of-control prices and unemployment are little more than fearmongering...