GDP figures

War on Iran

RBA and employment

Where does our inflation target come from?

The joint US-Israel war on Iran could have serious, lasting impacts on the global economy.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Skye discuss the economic impact of the illegal US-Israel war on Iran, the latest Australian GDP data, and why the Reserve Bank seems to want more Australians to be unemployed.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 5 March 2026.

What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.

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

Host: Skye Predavec, Researcher, the Australia Institute // @skyelark

Show notes:

Australia’s GDP growth is partly due to government spending. So why isn’t the Coalition complaining? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2026)

The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos, After America, the Australia Institute (March 2026)

ACTU plan would fix gas policy mess and raise $12.5b for Australians, the Australia Institute (August 2025)

Tax: Beer drinkers vs gas companies by Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (February 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.

The joint US-Israel war on Iran could have serious, lasting impacts on the global economy.
On this episode of Dollars &amp; Sense, Greg and Skye discuss the economic impact of the illegal US-Israel war on Iran, the latest Australian GDP data, and why the Reserve Bank seems to want more Australians to be unemployed.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 5 March 2026.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/what-we-owe-the-water-vantage-point-issue-4">What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo</a>, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
You can also <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/vantage-point-subscription">subscribe to the Vantage Point series</a> to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.
Host:&nbsp;Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/grogsgamut.bsky.social">@grogsgamut</a>
Host:&nbsp;Skye Predavec, Researcher, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/skyelark.bsky.social">@skyelark</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/mar/04/australia-gdp-growth-government-spending">Australia&rsquo;s GDP growth is partly due to government spending. So why isn&rsquo;t the Coalition complaining?</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (March 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/the-us-and-israel-attack-iran-foment-chaos/">The US and Israel attack Iran, foment chaos</a>, After America, the Australia Institute (March 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/actu-plan-would-fix-gas-policy-mess-and-raise-12-5b-for-australians/">ACTU plan would fix gas policy mess and raise $12.5b for Australians</a>, the Australia Institute (August 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/tax-beer-drinkers-vs-gas-companies/">Tax: Beer drinkers vs gas companies</a> by Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (February 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>.

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.

The joint US-Israel war on Iran could have serious, lasting impacts on the global economy.

Future uncertain as US says war on Iran has ‘only just begun'

Supermarket profits: was the ACCC listening?

Tim Wilson calls for tax cuts

Capital gains tax discount

Fossil fuel subsidies

Tariff corner 

Australia is a low taxing nation, but Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson still seems to want the highest earners to pay less.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Skye discuss Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson’s call for tax cuts, why tariffs won’t be replacing income tax despite Donald Trump’s claims, Australia’s bizarre subsidies for fossil fuels, and why Greg reckons he wouldn’t take a tasty pay rise to go to the dark side.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 26 February 2026.

What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.

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

Host: Skye Predavec, Researcher, the Australia Institute // @skyelark

Show notes:

Finally fixing capital gains tax is good – but linking it to another tax cut for Australia’s rich is bollocks by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)

Australia’s most costly anti-climate policy hits taxpayers for $30m a day as calls mount to wind back fuel tax credits by Adam Morton, Guardian Australia (February 2026)

ACCC alleges Coles mimicked Woolworths in ‘disguising’ big price hikes by Max Mason and Carrie LaFrenz, Australian Financial Review (February 2026)

Corporate profits increase inflation, the Australia Institute (December 2024)

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.

Australia is a low taxing nation, but Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson still seems to want the highest earners to pay less.
On this episode of Dollars &amp; Sense, Greg and Skye discuss Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson&rsquo;s call for tax cuts, why tariffs won&rsquo;t be replacing income tax despite Donald Trump&rsquo;s claims, Australia&rsquo;s bizarre subsidies for fossil fuels, and why Greg reckons he wouldn&rsquo;t take a tasty pay rise to go to the dark side.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 26 February 2026.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/what-we-owe-the-water-vantage-point-issue-4">What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo</a>, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
You can also <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/vantage-point-subscription">subscribe to the Vantage Point series</a> to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.
Host:&nbsp;Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/grogsgamut.bsky.social">@grogsgamut</a>
Host:&nbsp;Skye Predavec, Researcher, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/skyelark.bsky.social">@skyelark</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2026/feb/25/capital-gains-tax-discount-federal-budget-coalition-tax-cuts-for-the-richest">Finally fixing capital gains tax is good &ndash; but linking it to another tax cut for Australia&rsquo;s rich is bollocks</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/2026/feb/25/australia-fuel-tax-credit-scheme-government-anti-climate-policy-under-pressure">Australia&rsquo;s most costly anti-climate policy hits taxpayers for $30m a day as calls mount to wind back fuel tax credits</a> by Adam Morton, Guardian Australia (February 2026)
<a href="https://www.afr.com/companies/retail/accc-accuses-coles-of-deliberately-disguising-price-hikes-as-cuts-20260216-p5o2kh">ACCC alleges Coles mimicked Woolworths in &lsquo;disguising&rsquo; big price hikes</a> by Max Mason and Carrie LaFrenz, Australian Financial Review (February 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/corporate-profits-increase-inflation/">Corporate profits increase inflation</a>, the Australia Institute (December 2024)
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>.

Australia is a low taxing nation, but Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson still seems to want the highest earners to pay less.

Why the wealthiest don’t need another tax cut

Real wages are down

Why did the RBA raise rates?

Coles in court

One TRILLION dollars

Wages aren’t driving higher inflation, so why do workers always seem to cop the blame?

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Angus discuss why Coles is in court over its pricing, whether it’s time to panic with government debt set to hit $1 trillion, and the role of corporate profits in driving inflation.

This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 18 February 2026.

What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.

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

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

Show notes:

As real wage growth falls again, Australian workers must feel the economy is rigged against them by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)

Joseph Stiglitz on super profits, capital gains and why corporate tax is good for democracy, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

Corporate profits increase inflation, the Australia Institute (December 2024)

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.

Wages aren&rsquo;t driving higher inflation, so why do workers always seem to cop the blame?
On this episode of Dollars &amp; Sense, Greg and Angus discuss why Coles is in court over its pricing, whether it&rsquo;s time to panic with government debt set to hit $1 trillion, and the role of corporate profits in driving inflation.
This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/what-we-owe-the-water-vantage-point-issue-4">What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo</a>, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
You can also <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/vantage-point-subscription">subscribe to the Vantage Point series</a> to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.
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, 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/feb/18/real-wages-fall-australia-workers-economy">As real wage growth falls again, Australian workers must feel the economy is rigged against them</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/joseph-stiglitz-on-super-profits-capital-gains-and-why-corporate-tax-is-good-for-democracy/">Joseph Stiglitz on super profits, capital gains and why corporate tax is good for democracy</a>, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/corporate-profits-increase-inflation/">Corporate profits increase inflation</a>, the Australia Institute (December 2024)
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>.

Wages aren’t driving higher inflation, so why do workers always seem to cop the blame?

Real wages are down, but apparently inflation is all your fault

Commonwealth Bank profits

5% deposit scheme juiced lending figures

Investors still cashing in

Capital gains tax reform rumours

Government spending not to blame for inflation

Tax & government deficits

On the back of ongoing tax concessions primarily benefitting the wealthiest and the government’s five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers, Australia has just broken a new record for average home loan size.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the persistent rumours of changes to the capital gains tax discount, why government spending isn’t to blame for the latest inflation increase, and the impact of the federal government’s five per cent deposit scheme on lending figures (and don’t discuss wages as promised last week, cus Greg can’t read a calendar).

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 February 2026.

What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

You can also subscribe to the Vantage Point series to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.

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

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

Show notes:

Will the government finally deliver a housing policy that stops making a bad situation worse? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)

“They rushed this”: why the Reserve Bank got it wrong by raising rates, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

Profit in home lending by David Richardson, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

Submission to the Select Committee on the Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

Australia’s great gas giveaway by Mark Ogge, Rod Campbell and Piers Verstegan, the Australia Institute (May 2024)

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.

On the back of ongoing tax concessions primarily benefitting the wealthiest and the government&rsquo;s five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers, Australia has just broken a new record for average home loan size.
On this episode of Dollars &amp; Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the persistent rumours of changes to the capital gains tax discount, why government spending isn&rsquo;t to blame for the latest inflation increase, and the impact of the federal government&rsquo;s five per cent deposit scheme on lending figures (and don&rsquo;t discuss wages as promised last week, cus Greg can&rsquo;t read a calendar).
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 February 2026.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/what-we-owe-the-water-vantage-point-issue-4">What we owe the water: It's time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo</a>, is available now for just $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
You can also <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/vantage-point-subscription">subscribe to the Vantage Point series</a> to get four essays a year on some of the most pressing issues facing Australia and the world.
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/feb/12/government-housing-policy-capital-gains-discount">Will the government finally deliver a housing policy that stops making a bad situation worse?</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/they-rushed-this-why-the-reserve-bank-got-it-wrong-by-raising-rates/">&ldquo;They rushed this&rdquo;: why the Reserve Bank got it wrong by raising rates</a>, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/profit-in-home-lending/">Profit in home lending</a> by David Richardson, the Australia Institute (February 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 (February 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/australias-great-gas-giveaway/">Australia&rsquo;s great gas giveaway</a> by Mark Ogge, Rod Campbell and Piers Verstegan, the Australia Institute (May 2024)
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>.

On the back of ongoing tax concessions primarily benefitting the wealthiest and the government’s five per cent deposit scheme for first home buyers, Australia has just broken a new record for average home loan size.

Future uncertain as US says war on Iran has ‘only just begun'

Australia Matters

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