Follow The Money

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 bette...

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...

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 r...

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 h...

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...

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...

Bri Lee, one of Australia’s most exciting young writers, joins us to discuss her debut novel, The Work , and the politics of power and privilege. On this Summer Book Club episode of  Follow the Money , Bri Lee, the award-winning author of Eggshell Skull , Beauty and Who Gets to be Smart , joins us to discuss The Work , a stunning story of art, power, love and money. This discussion was...

Award-winning writer Lech Blaine traces the making of Peter Dutton – from Queensland detective to leader of the Opposition.  On this Summer Book Club episode of  Follow the Money , Lech Blaine joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the rise of Peter Dutton, the evolution of the Liberal Party, and his Quarterly Essay , ‘Bad Cop: Peter Dutton's Strongman Politics’.  This dis...

Do Australians truly grasp the impact of a warming planet and what it could mean for our sunburnt country? On this Summer Book Club episode of Follow the Money , climate scientist and author Dr Joëlle Gergis joins The Australia Institute’s Polly Hemming to discuss Australia’s climate policy inertia and the impact of rising temperatures.  This discussion was recorded on Friday...

Australia’s status quo political culture is under pressure – so what does this mean for the upcoming federal election? On this Summer Book Club episode of Follow the Money , journalist and author George Megalogenis joins Alice Grundy to discuss the rise of independents and minor parties, Australia’s changing political landscape, and his latest Quarterly Essay , ‘Minority Re...

Houses should be a place to live, not a ladder to wealth. On this episode of Follow the Money , acclaimed financial journalist Alan Kohler joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the policies that created Australia’s housing crisis and what governments can do to fix it. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 10 December 2024 and things may have changed since recording. Order What's the Big Idea? 32...

Amy Remeikis joins us to reflect on Anthony Albanese’s turbulent year as Prime Minister and preview the federal election campaign. On this episode of Follow the Money , Australia Institute Chief Political Analyst Amy Remeikis joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the slings and arrows of the political year, why Australia doesn’t use its power on the international stage, and how next year’s federal electi...

Independent MP Helen Haines joins us to talk about how a deal between the Government and the Opposition could swing Australia’s electoral laws in their favour. On this episode of Follow the Money , the Hon Helen Haines MP, Independent Member for Indi, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the Government’s Electoral Reform Bill, its potential impact on new and independent candidates, and the future of Aus...

More frequent and severe disasters are sending insurance costs through the roof, creating a north-south divide in Australia. On this episode of Follow the Money , Walkley Award-winning journalist Stephen Long joins Alice Grundy to discuss climate change, skyrocketing premiums and serious impact they’re having on inequality. This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 13 November 2024 and things may...

The United Nations climate change negotiations are skirting around the critical issue of phasing out fossil fuels and are in desperate need of reform, says Sandrine Dixson-Declève. On this episode of Follow the Money , Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss phasing out fossil fuels, the false narratives being peddled about the green transition, an...

With its democracy under assault, America needs a friend, not a flunkey. On this episode of Follow the Money , Australia Institute International & Security Affairs Advisor Allan Behm joins us to discuss the “unachievable” AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, Australia’s ‘fear of abandonment’, and how the outcome of the presidential election might change US foreign policy. This discussion was recorded...

He lost the Queensland election, but former Premier Steven Miles may have saved the furniture by putting forward popular, progressive policies that voters responded to. On this episode of Follow the Money , Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the fake fight between the new Queensland Premier and Peter Dutton over nuclear power and the fallout from...

Excessive secrecy in government decision-making makes Australia less safe, not more. On this episode of Follow the Money , Bill Browne, Democracy & Accountability Director at the Australia Institute, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss whistleblower protections, improving the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and why Australia may be the world’s most secretive democracy. This discussion was reco...

Press gallery veteran Paul Bongiorno joins us to discuss how conflict in the Middle East is reverberating through Australia, and reconciliation one year after the Voice referendum. On this episode of Follow the Money , Paul Bongiorno, columnist for The Saturday Paper and The New Daily , joins Ebony Bennett to discuss culture wars in Australia, two upcoming elections, and the reaction to Anthony Al...

Australian superannuation funds have been investing in nuclear weapons, according to new research. On this episode of Follow the Money , Margaret Beavis, Co-Director of Quit Nukes, and Adam Gottschalk, Anne Kantor Research Fellow at the Australia Institute, join us to discuss how some superannuation funds invest Australians’ retirement savings nuclear weapons. This discussion was recorded live on...

Senator Nick McKim joins us to discuss the ACCC legal action against Coles and Woolworths and why the government should have the power to break up the Big Two. On this episode of Follow the Money , Greens Senator Nick McKim, Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Grocery Prices, joins us to discuss regulating the major supermarkets and his famous grilling of the former Woolies CEO. Join President...

By relying on uncertain and unethical carbon offsets to combat the climate crisis, society is setting itself on a path to destruction, George Monbiot says. On this episode of Follow the Money , George Monbiot, Guardian columnist and co-author of The Invisible Doctrine: The Secret History of Neoliberalism , joins the Australia Institute’s Polly Hemming to discuss the impact of neoliberalism on our...

The mining industry had a pre-election sook last week about government policy, but its claims about being the ‘backbone’ of the economy are more spin than substance. On this episode of Follow the Money , Australia Institute Executive Director Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennett to discuss mining’s latest PR offensive and why politicians shouldn’t fear standing up to the industry. Join President Jo...

The Reserve Bank is home to the experts on monetary policy – but what happens when they get it wrong? On this episode of Follow the Money , Greg Jericho and Matt Grudnoff join Ebony Bennett to discuss the latest GDP figures, the real drivers of inflation and how the Reserve Bank misread the state of the economy. This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 10 September 2024 and things may have changed...

Mark Kenny joins us to discuss the government’s census own goal and Australia’s flagging economy. On this episode of Follow the Money , Ebony Bennett discusses the latest in federal politics with Professor Mark Kenny, former Chief Political Correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald , The Age and The Canberra Times . This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 3 September 2024 and things may have cha...