Meaningful housing reform

Tax offsets & trusts

Income support & the NDIS

(Not) taxing gas

Final reflections

Australians are crying out for big, brave reforms from governments. The long-overdue changes to housing tax concessions in this budget suggest the federal government may be starting to get the message.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff and Ebony Bennett discuss the government’s important changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, its “brutal” cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and why some “broken promises” may not be such a big deal in the eyes of Australians.

This episode was recorded on Wednesday 13 May.

The latest Vantage Point essay, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.

Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff

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

Show notes:

Budget 2026: What the government’s housing tax changes mean for first home buyers and housing affordability by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (May 2026)

Budget 2026: Government targets investor tax breaks and trust loopholes in housing reform package by Tegan George,The Point (May 2026)

Budget 2026: Treasurer's speech, annotated by Greg Jericho,The Point (May 2026)

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. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Castsor wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Australians are crying out for big, brave reforms from governments. The long-overdue changes to housing tax concessions in this budget suggest the federal government may be starting to get the message.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff and Ebony Bennett discuss the government&rsquo;s important changes to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, its &ldquo;brutal&rdquo; cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and why some &ldquo;broken promises&rdquo; may not be such a big deal in the eyes of Australians.
This episode was recorded on Wednesday 13 May.
The latest Vantage Point essay, <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/rich-kid-poor-kid-vantage-point-issue-5">Rich Kid Poor Kid: The Battle for Public Education by Jane Caro</a>, is available now for $19.95. Use the code 'PODVP' at checkout to get free shipping.
Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mattgrudnoff.bsky.social">@mattgrudnoff</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/explainers/260513-budget-2026-the-government-is-finally-winding-back-the-tax-breaks-driving-up-house-prices">Budget 2026: What the government&rsquo;s housing tax changes mean for first home buyers and housing affordability</a> by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (May 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260512-budget-2026-government-targets-investor-tax-breaks-and-trust-loopholes-in-housing-reform">Budget 2026: Government targets investor tax breaks and trust loopholes in housing reform package</a> by Tegan George, The Point (May 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/explainers/260512-budget-2026-treasurers-speech-annotated-by-greg-jericho">Budget 2026: Treasurer's speech, annotated</a> by Greg Jericho, The Point (May 2026)
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>. Subscribe to Follow the Money on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/follow-the-money/id1078781512">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0JOrvYNuhHOwaFuZ7PlW1d?si=e9265dc6a04d40b3">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/follow-the-money/2aeecbb0-b36a-0133-2e57-6dc413d6d41d">Pocket Casts</a> or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Follow The Money

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Australians are crying out for big, brave reforms from governments. The long-overdue changes to housing tax concessions in this budget suggest the federal government may be starting to get the message.