Economic growth figures

Data centres, profits & exports

Household spending

Minimum and award wages lifted

With what little economic growth there is being driven by data centres, is it really a net positive for most Australians?

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the decision to lift minimum and award wages and what the latest GDP figures mean for Australian households.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 4 June 2026.

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

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

Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek

Show notes:

Australia’s GDP figures are meaningless when the boom in datacentres means destroying jobs and the climateby Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

Clouded Future: Managing the risks of the data centre boom, Climate Council (June 2026)

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. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

With what little economic growth there is being driven by data centres, is it really a net positive for most Australians?
On this episode of Dollars &amp; Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the decision to lift minimum and award wages and what the latest GDP figures mean for Australian households.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 4 June 2026.
Support the research powerful interests fear. <a href="https://theaus.in/430U1Rv">Make a tax-deductible donation</a> to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.
Host:&nbsp;Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/grogsgamut.bsky.social">@grogsgamut</a>
Host:&nbsp;Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/elinorjohnstonleek.bsky.social">@elinorjohnstonleek</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2026/jun/04/australia-datacentres-destroying-jobs-climate-economy-gdp">Australia&rsquo;s GDP figures are meaningless when the boom in datacentres means destroying jobs and the climate</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026)
<a href="https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/resources/clouded-future-managing-the-risks-of-the-data-centre/">Clouded Future: Managing the risks of the data centre boom</a>, Climate Council (June 2026)
Theme music:&nbsp;Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>. Subscribe to&nbsp;Dollars&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Sense&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/dollars-sense/id1717300562">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5FWzwVKWUR2tZCbXSKuBE2?si=1c2f3558cc6d44ab">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/dollars-sense/9cc37d00-6a4f-013c-9f4c-0acc26574db2">Pocket Casts</a>&nbsp;or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Economic data can tell us a lot about what's happening the economy and society, but it's easy to get lost in data. Dollars and Sense dives into the latest economic figures to explain how they impact you and what they tell us about the state of the Australian economy, with host Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia.

Economic data can tell us a lot about what's happening the economy and society, but it's easy to get lost in data. Dollars and Sense dives into the latest economic figures to explain how they impact you and what they tell us about the state of the Australian economy, with host Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia.

Dollars & Sense

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Get all of the Australia Institute's podcasts in one feed.

Australia Matters

Dollars & Sense demystifies the latest economic figures, how they impact you and what they can tell us about the economy, with host with Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work, and author of Guardian Australia's Grogonomics column.  

Dollars &amp; Sense demystifies the latest economic figures, how they impact you and what they can tell us about the economy, with host with Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work, and author of Guardian Australia's Grogonomics column.

With what little economic growth there is being driven by data centres, is it really a net positive for most Australians?

Data centre boom widens gap between growth figures and reality

One Nation's gas policy

Get the facts on gas

Employment services changes

Inflation falls

Coverage of One Nation’s gas policy made it sound like the beginning of some kind of people’s revolution, but without a 25% gas export tax, Australians will get short-changed.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss Pauline Hanson’s gas policy announcement, the failure at the heart of Australia’s employment services system, and what the latest inflation data could mean for interest rates.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 28 May 2026.

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

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

Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek

Show notes:

Australians with disabilities copped the biggest cuts in the budget. Yet conservative media’s heart bleeds only for the wealthyby Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (May 2026)

Australia's Gas Giveaway, the Australia Institute

Why the industry loves Hanson’s gas policy – and Labor won’t by Amy Remeikis, The Point (May 2026)

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. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Coverage of One Nation&rsquo;s gas policy made it sound like the beginning of some kind of people&rsquo;s revolution, but without a 25% gas export tax, Australians will get short-changed.
On this episode of Dollars &amp; Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss Pauline Hanson&rsquo;s gas policy announcement, the failure at the heart of Australia&rsquo;s employment services system, and what the latest inflation data could mean for interest rates.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 28 May 2026.
Support the research powerful interests fear. <a href="https://theaus.in/430U1Rv">Make a tax-deductible donation</a> to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.
Host:&nbsp;Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/grogsgamut.bsky.social">@grogsgamut</a>
Host:&nbsp;Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/elinorjohnstonleek.bsky.social">@elinorjohnstonleek</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2026/may/28/australia-budget-reactions-ndis-changes-disabilities-biggest-cuts-dental-ignored">Australians with disabilities copped the biggest cuts in the budget. Yet conservative media&rsquo;s heart bleeds only for the wealthy</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/explainers/260323-the-case-for-a-gas-export-tax-explained">The case for a gas export tax, explained</a> by Richard Denniss, The Point (May 2026)
<a href="https://gas.australiainstitute.org.au/">Australia's Gas Giveaway</a>, the Australia Institute
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/opinions/260525-why-the-industry-loves-hansons-gas-policy-and-labor-wont">Why the industry loves Hanson&rsquo;s gas policy &ndash; and Labor won&rsquo;t</a> by Amy Remeikis, The Point (May 2026)
Theme music:&nbsp;Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>. Subscribe to&nbsp;Dollars&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Sense&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/dollars-sense/id1717300562">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5FWzwVKWUR2tZCbXSKuBE2?si=1c2f3558cc6d44ab">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/dollars-sense/9cc37d00-6a4f-013c-9f4c-0acc26574db2">Pocket Casts</a>&nbsp;or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Coverage of One Nation’s gas policy made it sound like the beginning of some kind of people’s revolution, but without a 25% gas export tax, Australians will get short-changed.

How about we just tax gas? Examining One Nation’s gas policy

The PM wants a 'fair dinkum' gas debate

Budget tax reform blowback

Nonsense about trusts & death taxes

Australia could raise around $17 billion a year with a 25% gas export tax – enough to put dental in Medicare or fund free childcare – but the government is choosing not to.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Angus discuss why Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australia Institute needs to get “fair dinkum” about gas exports, the post-budget meme-wars over capital gains tax, and the “death tax” scare campaign.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 21 May 2026.

Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.

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

Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, Podcasts, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB

Show notes:

Death, taxes and scare campaigns: here’s the truth about Labor’s budget changes by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

Keating backs CGT reforms, says Howard changes made house prices "blast off" by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026)

Government CGT Changes – Structurally Sound, statement by former Prime Minister Paul Keating (May 2026)

Conservative newspapers are stoking fears CGT changes will hurt young Australians — despite very few being affected by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026)

The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (May 2026)

Australia's Gas Giveaway, the Australia Institute

Richard Denniss responds to Anthony Albanese, the Australia Institute on BlueSky (May 2026)

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. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Australia could raise around $17 billion a year with a 25% gas export tax &ndash; enough to put dental in Medicare or fund free childcare &ndash; but the government is choosing not to.
On this episode of Dollars &amp; Sense, Greg and Angus discuss why Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the Australia Institute needs to get &ldquo;fair dinkum&rdquo; about gas exports, the post-budget meme-wars over capital gains tax, and the &ldquo;death tax&rdquo; scare campaign.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 21 May 2026.
Visit <a href="https://thepoint.com.au/">The Point</a> for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.
Host:&nbsp;Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/grogsgamut.bsky.social">@grogsgamut</a>
Host:&nbsp;Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, Podcasts, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/angusrb.bsky.social">@AngusRB</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2026/may/21/labor-budget-changes-death-taxes-scare-campaigns-truth">Death, taxes and scare campaigns: here&rsquo;s the truth about Labor&rsquo;s budget changes</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260521-keating-backs-cgt-reforms-says-howard-changes-made-house-prices-blast-off">Keating backs CGT reforms, says Howard changes made house prices "blast off"</a> by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/opinions/260521-government-cgt-changes-structurally-sound">Government CGT Changes &ndash; Structurally Sound</a>, statement by former Prime Minister Paul Keating (May 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/off-the-charts/260520conservative-newspapers-are-stoking-fears-cgt-changes-will-hurt-young-australians-despite-very-few-being-affected">Conservative newspapers are stoking fears CGT changes will hurt young Australians &mdash; despite very few being affected</a> by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/explainers/260323-the-case-for-a-gas-export-tax-explained">The case for a gas export tax, explained</a> by Richard Denniss, The Point (May 2026)
<a href="https://gas.australiainstitute.org.au/">Australia's Gas Giveaway</a>, the Australia Institute
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/australiainstitute.org.au/post/3mlun5t56vs2i">Richard Denniss responds to Anthony Albanese</a>, the Australia Institute on BlueSky (May 2026)
Theme music:&nbsp;Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>. Subscribe to&nbsp;Dollars&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Sense&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/dollars-sense/id1717300562">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5FWzwVKWUR2tZCbXSKuBE2?si=1c2f3558cc6d44ab">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/dollars-sense/9cc37d00-6a4f-013c-9f4c-0acc26574db2">Pocket Casts</a>&nbsp;or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Australia could raise around $17 billion a year with a 25% gas export tax – enough to put dental in Medicare or fund free childcare – but the government is choosing not to.

Fair dinkum! The Prime Minister called us out over a gas tax

Housing changes to improve affordability

Taxing trusts

NDIS cuts & no gas tax

Coverage of the budget so far

Real wages are down

The government’s changes to capital gains and negative gearing will begin to undo decades of damage to the housing market caused by Howard-era policies – so will Elinor actually be able to buy a house?

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the federal budget, the latest wages data, and why the government is making Australian workers wait-o for the WATO.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 14 May 2026.

Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.

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

Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek

Show notes:

Australian workers have been hard done by and tax reforms in the budget only begin to return some fairnessby Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

The budget in seven graphs: no big surprises but this may be one of the most ambitious moves to fix Australia’s finances by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026)

Budget 2026: serious housing reforms but a missed opportunity to tax gas exports, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (May 2026)

Budget 2026: Treasurer's speech, annotated by Greg Jericho,The Point (May 2026)

Submission to the Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (December 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. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

The government&rsquo;s changes to capital gains and negative gearing will begin to undo decades of damage to the housing market caused by Howard-era policies &ndash; so will Elinor actually be able to buy a house?
On this episode of Dollars &amp; Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the federal budget, the latest wages data, and why the government is making Australian workers wait-o for the WATO.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 14 May 2026.
Visit <a href="https://thepoint.com.au/">The Point</a> for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.
Host:&nbsp;Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/grogsgamut.bsky.social">@grogsgamut</a>
Host:&nbsp;Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/elinorjohnstonleek.bsky.social">@elinorjohnstonleek</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2026/may/14/cgt-capital-gains-tax-australian-workers-hard-done-by-budget-tax-reforms-fairness">Australian workers have been hard done by and tax reforms in the budget only begin to return some fairness</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/grogonomics/2026/may/12/the-budget-in-seven-graphs-no-big-surprises-but-this-may-be-one-of-the-most-ambitious-moves-to-fix-australias-finances">The budget in seven graphs: no big surprises but this may be one of the most ambitious moves to fix Australia&rsquo;s finances</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (May 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/budget-2026-serious-housing-reforms-but-a-missed-opportunity-to-tax-gas-exports/">Budget 2026: serious housing reforms but a missed opportunity to tax gas exports</a>, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (May 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/explainers/260512-budget-2026-treasurers-speech-annotated-by-greg-jericho">Budget 2026: Treasurer's speech, annotated</a> by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/submission-to-the-select-committee-on-the-operation-of-the-capital-gains-tax-discount/">Submission to the Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount</a> by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (December 2025)
Theme music:&nbsp;Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>. Subscribe to&nbsp;Dollars&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Sense&nbsp;on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/dollars-sense/id1717300562">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5FWzwVKWUR2tZCbXSKuBE2?si=1c2f3558cc6d44ab">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/dollars-sense/9cc37d00-6a4f-013c-9f4c-0acc26574db2">Pocket Casts</a>&nbsp;or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

The government’s changes to capital gains and negative gearing will begin to undo decades of damage to the housing market caused by Howard-era policies – so will Elinor actually be able to buy a house?

Data centre boom widens gap between growth figures and reality

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