In its efforts to avoid regulation, Google commissioned economic modelling showing that Google providing tens of billions of dollars in benefits to Australia - but the figures quickly fell apart on closer inspection from the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology. In this episode, chief economist Richard Denniss talks us through some of the assumptions in Google's modelling, how other industries have used and abused this tool and why Google hates the news media bargaining code.The Australia Institute // @theausinstituteHost: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director at the Australia Institute // @ebony_bennettGuest:Richard Denniss, Chief Economist The Australia Institute // @RDNS_TAIProducer: Jennifer MaceyTheme Music: Pulse and Thrum

<div>In its efforts to avoid regulation, Google commissioned economic modelling showing that Google providing tens of billions of dollars in benefits to Australia - but the figures quickly fell apart on closer inspection from the Australia Institute's Centre for Responsible Technology. In this episode, chief economist Richard Denniss talks us through some of the assumptions in Google's modelling, how other industries have used and abused this tool and why Google hates the news media bargaining code.</div><div>The Australia Institute // <a href="http://twitter.com/theausinstitute" target="_blank">@theausinstitute</a></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>Guest:</div><div>Richard Denniss, Chief Economist The Australia Institute // <a href="http://twitter.com/RDNS_TAI" target="_blank">@RDNS_TAI</a></div><div>Producer: Jennifer Macey</div><div>Theme Music: Pulse and Thrum</div>

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Follow The Money

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

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.

In its efforts to avoid regulation, Google commissioned economic modelling showing that Google providing tens of billions of dollars in...

Google and the use and abuse of economic modelling

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?

What can be done to fix the PALM scheme? | PALMed Off, Episode 4

PALM visas holders do not get Medicare (outside of a trial limited to 200 people), so what happens when they are injured, get sick or fall pregnant? 

In episode three of PALMed Off, host Morgan Harrington hears how a lack of affordable medical care can have dire consequences for PALM visa holders and discusses the problems faced by women who fall pregnant whilst working in Australia.

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.

1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732, chat online or video call via their website.

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

Interviewees: Ken Dachi (Welcoming Australia), Dr Lindy Kanan (researcher), Dr Matt Withers (The Australian National University), (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:

‘It’s not illegal to be pregnant’ by Lindy Kanan, DevPolicyBlog (May 2025)

‘Reproductive Health and Rights for PALM Scheme Workers – Statement’, Australian Women’s Health Alliance (May 2025)

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.

PALM visas holders do not get Medicare (outside of a trial limited to 200 people), so what happens when they are injured, get sick or fall pregnant? 
In episode three of PALMed Off, host Morgan Harrington hears how a lack of affordable medical care can have dire consequences for PALM visa holders and discusses the problems faced by women who fall pregnant whilst working in Australia.
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.
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.&nbsp;Call&nbsp;<a href="tel:1800737732">1800 737 732</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://1800respect.org.au/FAQ#faq-2707">text 0458 737 732</a>, chat online or video call via&nbsp;<a href="https://1800respect.org.au/">their website</a>.
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 (The Australian National University), (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://devpolicy.org/publications/reproductive-justice-palm-scheme/">&lsquo;It&rsquo;s not illegal to be pregnant&rsquo;</a> by Lindy Kanan, DevPolicy Blog (May 2025)
<a href="https://australianwomenshealth.org/2025/05/13/reproductive-health-and-rights-for-palm-scheme-workers/">&lsquo;Reproductive Health and Rights for PALM Scheme Workers &ndash; Statement&rsquo;</a>, Australian Women&rsquo;s Health Alliance (May 2025)
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>.

PALM visas holders do not get Medicare (outside of a trial limited to 200 people), so what happens when they are injured, get sick or fall pregnant?

Google and the use and abuse of economic modelling

In 2 playlist(s)

Follow The Money

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips