AUKUS the “worst, most costly and riskiest” Australian defence decision ever

The AUKUS submarine deal should be scrapped and the subject of a Royal Commission, according to the commissioners of the AUKUS Public Inquiry. On this episode of Follow the Money, former Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Admiral Chris Barrie AO RAN (retd), and Australia Institute co-CEO, Lean…

Brutal interest rate hike won't address main causes of inflation

The Reserve Bank’s fifth interest rate hike of 2026 will hurt Australian mortgage holders as big corporates profit. On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff joins Ebony Bennett to discuss what’s really driving inflation, who’s benefitting in this economy, how the government can support t…

Is a ‘blue wave’ coming at the US midterms?

The Trump administration and US democracy itself face a big test at the midterm elections. On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis joins Ebony Bennett to discuss US politics ahead of the midterms and the state of democracy globally. This episode was recorded on Tuesday 27 October. 1…

No place for violence in Australian democracy

On this episode of Follow the Money, Amy Remeikis, Greg Jericho and Ebony Bennett discuss violence, decency and dissent in Australia’s democracy following the alleged violent attack on Dr Helen Haines MP, who remains in critical condition in hospital. This episode was recorded on Wednesday 21 Octo…

Jim Chalmers on reform and taking on the far right

Treasurer Jim Chalmers outlines the big challenges facing Australia and the importance of changing the status quo – a situation that is clearly not working for many Australians. In this special episode of Follow the Money, the Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Treasurer of Australia, addresses the loss of c…

Younger Australians “locked out” as intergenerational housing divide grows

Australia is a rich country, but for many younger Australians, the ability to share in that prosperity is increasingly out of reach. On this episode of Follow the Money, Senator Barbara Pocock, Australian Greens Spokesperson for Housing & Homelessness, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the housing cr…

How the NT won Australia's race-to-the-bottom on online gambling regulation

Australia’s multibillion-dollar online gambling industry is effectively regulated by a Northern Territory body with no full-time staff, says Independent MLA Justine Davis. On this episode of Follow the Money, Justine Davis, Independent Member for Johnston in the Northern Territory Legislative Asse…

The promise of a future: it’s time to phase out fossil fuels

Despite dire warnings from the scientific community and Australia’s Pacific neighbours, the federal government isn’t getting the message. On this episode of Follow the Money, Tuvalu Minister for Climate Change and Environment Dr Maina Vakafua Talia and Canadian independent Senator Dr Rosa Galvez j…

Australia built an illness system, not a health system

Soaring specialist costs, an increasingly complex system, and Australians getting sicker for longer suggest all is not well in Australian health care. On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Luke Slawomirski and Matt Grudnoff join Ebony Bennett to discuss the soaring cost of specialists, why pushi…

The nasty secret buried in Australian workers' contracts

Non-compete clauses suppress wages, reduce productivity and stifle innovation. Now, the federal government is looking to ban them for most workers. The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the pernicious im…