Today we bring you another conversation from the Australia Institute's webinar series. The Coalition Government’s ninth Federal Budget on 29 March will be an election Budget. Against the backdrop of a cost of living crisis, ACTU President Michele O’Neil looks beneath the likely hype to talk about what will really matter for workers.This was recorded live on 15 March 2022 and things may have changed since recording. Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuests:Michele O'Neil, ACTU President // @MicheleONeilAUGreg Jericho, Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamutThe Australia Institute // @theausinstituteProducer: Jennifer Macey // @jennifermaceyTheme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions

<div>Today we bring you another conversation from the Australia Institute's webinar series. The Coalition Government’s ninth Federal Budget on 29 March will be an election Budget. Against the backdrop of a cost of living crisis, ACTU President Michele O’Neil looks beneath the likely hype to talk about what will really matter for workers.</div><div>This was recorded live on 15 March 2022 and things may have changed since recording. </div><div>Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at the Australia Institute // <a href="http://twitter.com/ebony_bennett" target="_blank">@ebony_bennett</a></div><div>Guests:</div><div>Michele O'Neil, ACTU President // <a href="https://twitter.com/MicheleONeilAU" target="_blank">@MicheleONeilAU</a></div><div>Greg Jericho, Centre for Future Work // <a href="https://twitter.com/GrogsGamut" target="_blank">@grogsgamut</a></div><div><a href="http://australiainstitute.org.au/" target="_blank">The Australia Institute</a> // <a href="http://twitter.com/theausinstitute" target="_blank">@theausinstitute</a></div><div>Producer: Jennifer Macey // <a href="https://twitter.com/jennifermacey" target="_blank">@jennifermacey</a></div><div>Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions</div>

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Follow The Money

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

Australia Matters

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Today we bring you another conversation from the Australia Institute's webinar series. The Coalition Government's ninth Federal Budget...

A budget for buying votes or backing workers? [webinar]

Gun law reforms

Hate speech laws

Where to from here?

The government passed new gun control and hate speech legislation in a special parliamentary sitting, but what impact will they have on Australian democracy?

Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne join Ebony Bennett to discuss how having fewer guns in the community will make Australians safer. However, the complex anti-hate legislation that was rushed through at the same time could have serious consequences for Australian society.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only.

Where it all went wrong: the case against John Howardby Amy Remeikis is available for pre-order now.

Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // @amyremeikis

Guest: Bill Browne, Democracy & Accountability Director, the Australia Institute // @browne90

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Federal Government passes new firearm, hate speech laws, The Point (January 2026)

The Point Live with Amy Remeikis, The Point (January 2026)

Every four hours, a gun is stolen in Australia, the Australia Institute (October 2025)

Australia’s Gun Ownership Scorecard: A Growing Problem in Need of Reform, the Australia Institute (January 2025)

Attorney-General attempts to explain extent of hate speech laws | 7.30, @ABCNewsInDepth on YouTube (January 2026)

Would half of Australians prefer a One Nation MP to a Labor one? by Bill Browne, The Point

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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 government passed new gun control and hate speech legislation in a special parliamentary sitting, but what impact will they have on Australian democracy?
Amy Remeikis and Bill Browne join Ebony Bennett to discuss how having fewer guns in the community will make Australians safer. However, the complex anti-hate legislation that was rushed through at the same time could have serious consequences for Australian society.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery">A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage</a> is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code &lsquo;POD5&rsquo; at checkout to save $5 off the price &ndash; available for a limited time only.
<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/Where-It-All-Went-Wrong/Amy-Remeikis/9781761822117">Where it all went wrong: the case against John Howard</a> by Amy Remeikis is available for pre-order now.
Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/amyremeikis.bsky.social">@amyremeikis</a>
Guest: Bill Browne, Democracy &amp; Accountability Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/browne90.bsky.social">@browne90</a>
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ebonybennett.bsky.social">@ebonybennett</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260121-federal-government-passes-new-firearm-hate-speech-laws">Federal Government passes new firearm, hate speech laws</a>, The Point (January 2026)
<a href="https://live.thepoint.com.au/">The Point Live with Amy Remeikis</a>, The Point (January 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/every-four-hours-a-gun-is-stolen-in-australia/">Every four hours, a gun is stolen in Australia</a>, the Australia Institute (October 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/australias-gun-ownership-scorecard-a-growing-problem-in-need-of-reform/">Australia&rsquo;s Gun Ownership Scorecard: A Growing Problem in Need of Reform</a>, the Australia Institute (January 2025)
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YmEcnRMWWPA">Attorney-General attempts to explain extent of hate speech laws | 7.30</a>, @ABCNewsInDepth on YouTube (January 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/off-the-charts/260119-would-half-of-australians-prefer-a-one-nation-mp-to-a-labor-one">Would half of Australians prefer a One Nation MP to a Labor one?</a> by Bill Browne, The Point
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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>.

The government passed new gun control and hate speech legislation in a special parliamentary sitting, but what impact will they have on Australian democracy?

Does the government understand its own hate laws?

Political response to the Bondi terror attacks

Adelaide Writers' Week

Bushfires, climate change & insurance

Trump and the Australia-US alliance

#auspol in 2026

Richard Denniss discusses the government’s response to the Bondi terrorist attacks, the chaos of the Trump administration and how to protect Australia’s democracy.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Richard Denniss and Ebony Bennett discuss the political and policy response to devasting Bondi terrorist attacks, the cancellation of Adelaide Writers’ Week, Trump and the Australia-US alliance, and what to look out for in federal politics in 2026.

A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ at checkout to save $5 off the price – available for a limited time only.

Dead Centre: how political pragmatism is killing us by Richard Denniss is also available now.

Guest: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

‘Engaging with people you disagree with is part of democracy. Silencing authors is not.’ by Richard Denniss, The Point (January 2026)

After America podcast, the Australia Institute

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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.

Richard Denniss discusses the government&rsquo;s response to the Bondi terrorist attacks, the chaos of the Trump administration and how to protect Australia&rsquo;s democracy.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Richard Denniss and Ebony Bennett discuss the political and policy response to devasting Bondi terrorist attacks, the cancellation of Adelaide Writers&rsquo; Week, Trump and the Australia-US alliance, and what to look out for in federal politics in 2026.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery">A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage</a> is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code &lsquo;POD5&rsquo; at checkout to save $5 off the price &ndash; available for a limited time only.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/dead-centre-vantage-point-issue-2">Dead Centre: how political pragmatism is killing us</a> by Richard Denniss is also available now.
Guest: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/richarddenniss.bsky.social">@richarddenniss</a>
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ebonybennett.bsky.social">@ebonybennett</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/opinions/260109-engaging-with-people-you-disagree-with-is-part-of-democracy-silencing-authors-is-not">&lsquo;Engaging with people you disagree with is part of democracy. Silencing authors is not.&rsquo;</a> by Richard Denniss, The Point (January 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/news/category/podcasts/after-america/">After America podcast</a>, the Australia Institute
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/after-america-vantage-point-issue-1">After America: Australia and the new world order</a> by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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>.

Richard Denniss discusses the government’s response to the Bondi terrorist attacks, the chaos of the Trump administration and how to protect Australia’s democracy.

Parliament returning early to debate new anti-hate & gun laws

What would it take to make the PALM scheme a genuine win-win for Australia and its neighbours? 

In the fourth and final episode of PALMed Off, host Morgan Harrington canvases some of the proposed solutions to the problems facing the PALM scheme, including an amnesty for disengaged workers and ensuring that everyone working in Australia has the right to leave their employer.

PALMed Off is a special four-part series of Follow the Money exploring the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, an Australian Government guestworker program that could be putting people from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste at risk of modern slavery.

The interviews for this podcast were recorded between June and August 2025.

Host: Morgan Harrington, Research Manager, The Australia Institute // @mhharrington

Interviewees: Ken Dachi (Welcoming Australia), Dr Lindy Kanan (researcher), Dr Matt Withers (ANU), (Waskam) Emelda Davis (ASSI-Port Jackson Chair), Thomas Costa (Unions NSW), anonymous former PALM workers

Scripting and production support: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow & Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute

Sound design and mixing: Simon Branthwaite

Show notes:

‘The PALM Scheme: Labour rights for our Pacific partners’, The Australia Institute (December 2023)

“If I stay like this, how can I benefit my family?” Initial findings on disengagement from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme by Kirstie Petrou, Matt Withers, Kaya Barry and Emily House, Griffith University (December 2025)

Australian South Sea Islanders – Port Jackson: publications

Theme music:‘Mumbwe’ by Tio, with thanks to the Wantok Music Foundation

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.

What would it take to make the PALM scheme a genuine win-win for Australia and its neighbours? 
In the fourth and final episode of PALMed Off, host Morgan Harrington canvases some of the proposed solutions to the problems facing the PALM scheme, including an amnesty for disengaged workers and ensuring that everyone working in Australia has the right to leave their employer.
PALMed Off is a special four-part series of Follow the Money exploring the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, an Australian Government guestworker program that could be putting people from nine Pacific Island nations and Timor-Leste at risk of modern slavery.
The interviews for this podcast were recorded between June and August 2025.
Host: Morgan Harrington, Research Manager, The Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mhharrington.bsky.social">@mhharrington</a>
Interviewees: Ken Dachi (Welcoming Australia), Dr Lindy Kanan (researcher), Dr Matt Withers (ANU), (Waskam) Emelda Davis (ASSI-Port Jackson Chair), Thomas Costa (Unions NSW), anonymous former PALM workers
Scripting and production support: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow &amp; Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute
Sound design and mixing: Simon Branthwaite
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/the-palm-scheme/">&lsquo;The PALM Scheme: Labour rights for our Pacific partners&rsquo;</a>, The Australia Institute (December 2023)
<a href="https://researchportalplus.anu.edu.au/en/publications/if-i-stay-like-this-how-can-i-benefit-my-family-initial-findings-/">&ldquo;If I stay like this, how can I benefit my family?&rdquo; Initial findings on disengagement from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme</a> by Kirstie Petrou, Matt Withers, Kaya Barry and Emily House, Griffith University (December 2025)
<a href="https://www.assipj.com.au/southsea/publications/">Australian South Sea Islanders &ndash; Port Jackson: publications</a>
Theme music: <a href="https://www.wantokmusik.org/tio">&lsquo;Mumbwe&rsquo; by Tio</a>, with thanks to the Wantok Music Foundation
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>.

What would it take to make the PALM scheme a genuine win-win for Australia and its neighbours?

A budget for buying votes or backing workers? [webinar]

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