How bad is productivity?

What can the government do about it?

Changing the fuel tax rebate

Tariff corner

The Albanese Government has made improving productivity central to its second term agenda, but how can it make a difference without throwing workers under the bus?

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss some of the bogus claims about productivity, why giving fossil fuel subsidies to fossil fuel companies is a bad idea, and the latest Trump tariff news.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut

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

Show notes:

Wealthy Australians are worried we might realise how rigged the system is in their favour by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (June 2025)

It is time to abolish the expensive Fuel Tax Credit that incentivises fossil fuel use. by Adam Gottschalk, the Australia Institute (June 2024)

Fossil fuel subsidies, the Australia Institute (January 2025)

IN FULL: Andrew Forrest explores opportunities for regional Australia in renewables push, ABC News on YouTube (February 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.

The Albanese Government has made improving productivity central to its second term agenda, but how can it make a difference without throwing workers under the bus?
On this episode of Dollars &amp; Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss some of the bogus claims about productivity, why giving fossil fuel subsidies to fossil fuel companies is a bad idea, and the latest Trump tariff news.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 12 June 2025 and things may have changed since recording.
Our independence is our strength &ndash; and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute&rsquo;s <a href="https://theaus.in/EOFY2025DS">End of Financial Year appeal</a> today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.
Host:&nbsp;Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // <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/2025/jun/12/wealthy-australians-are-worried-we-might-realise-how-rigged-the-system-is-in-their-favour">Wealthy Australians are worried we might realise how rigged the system is in their favour</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (June 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/it-is-time-to-abolish-the-expensive-fuel-tax-credit-that-incentivises-fossil-fuel-use/">It is time to abolish the expensive Fuel Tax Credit that incentivises fossil fuel use.</a> by Adam Gottschalk, the Australia Institute (June 2024)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/fossil-fuel-subsidies/">Fossil fuel subsidies</a>, the Australia Institute (January 2025)
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hbr_2ARAxy0&amp;t=7s">IN FULL: Andrew Forrest explores opportunities for regional Australia in renewables push</a>, ABC News on YouTube (February 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>.

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

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 Albanese Government has made improving productivity central to its second term agenda, but how can it make a difference without throwing workers under the bus?

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