Immigration and public spending are barely keeping Australia out of a recession.

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the latest GDP figures and why the Australian economy is in the toilet.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 5 December 2024 and things may have changed since recording.

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

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:

‘What do the latest GDP figures tell us? That the RBA is still getting it very wrong’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (December 2024)

Wages are growing faster than inflation – but workers are $8,000 worse off than 3 years ago by David Richardson and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (November 2024)

‘Election FactCheck: Has the Coalition presided over the most sustained fall in Australian living standards since records began?’ by Peter Whiteford (reviewed by Roger Wilkins), The Conversation (June 2016)

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.