US politics & the midterms

Key races

Election integrity

State of democracy globally

Implications for Australia

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.

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.

Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

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

Show notes:

Shorter America: Michigan Matters; Looking to Europe; Political Violence by Emma Shortis (October 2026)

Trump still the elephant in Canberra as US midterms approach, After America, the Australia Institute (October 2026)

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

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.
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/help-and-support/telephone-and-online-counselling#faq-2707">text 0458 737 732</a>, chat online or video call via <a href="https://1800respect.org.au/">their website</a>.
Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International &amp; Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/emmashortis.bsky.social">@emmashortis</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/new/261023-shorter-america-this-week">Shorter America: Michigan Matters; Looking to Europe; Political Violence</a> by Emma Shortis (October 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/trump-still-the-elephant-in-canberra-as-us-midterms-approach/">Trump still the elephant in Canberra as US midterms approach</a>, After America, the Australia Institute (October 2026)
<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>. 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

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.

The Trump administration and US democracy itself face a big test at the midterm elections.

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

Violence & Australian democracy

The state of the economy

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 October.

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.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au.

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

Guest: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut

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

Show notes:

Sending our love to Helen Haines, the Australia Institute (October 2026)

I knew one of us could get hurt eventually. I never thought it would be my friend Helen by Zoe Daniel, Guardian Australia (October 2026)

Jim Chalmers on reform and the far right, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (October 2026)

Will Australia’s online safety laws work?, the Australia Institute on YouTube (October 2026)

The RBA has gotten its wish: unemployment hits 4.7% by Greg Jericho, The Point (October 2026)

Most of us don’t have trusts, and those who do earn a lot more than the rest of us by Greg Jericho, The Point (October 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.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Amy Remeikis, Greg Jericho and Ebony Bennett discuss violence, decency and dissent in Australia&rsquo;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 October.
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/help-and-support/telephone-and-online-counselling#faq-2707">text 0458 737 732</a>, chat online or video call via <a href="https://1800respect.org.au/">their website</a>.
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact <a href="http://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a>&nbsp;on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au.
Guest: Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/amyremeikis.bsky.social">@amyremeikis</a>
Guest: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/grogsgamut.bsky.social">@grogsgamut</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://australiainstitute.org.au/post/sending-our-love-to-helen-haines/">Sending our love to Helen Haines</a>, the Australia Institute (October 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/oct/20/helen-haines-zoe-daniels-wangaratta-opinion-ntwnfb">I knew one of us could get hurt eventually. I never thought it would be my friend Helen</a> by Zoe Daniel, Guardian Australia (October 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/jim-chalmers-on-reform-and-taking-on-the-far-right/">Jim Chalmers on reform and the far right</a>, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (October 2026)
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-43VG5qylI">Will Australia&rsquo;s online safety laws work?</a>, the Australia Institute on YouTube (October 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/opinions/261016-rba-gets-its-wish-unemployment-hits-4-7">The RBA has gotten its wish: unemployment hits 4.7%</a> by Greg Jericho, The Point (October 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/off-the-charts/261020-most-of-us-dont-have-trusts-and-those-who-do-earn-a-lot-more-than-the-rest-of-us">Most of us don&rsquo;t have trusts, and those who do earn a lot more than the rest of us</a> by Greg Jericho, The Point (October 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.

No place for violence in Australian democracy

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 control many Australians feel right now, the rise of the far-right in Australia, and the importance of meaningful reform.

This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Bernie Fraser Oration on Tuesday 13 October.

Guest: Jim Chalmers, Treasurer of Australia and Labor Member for Rankin // @jimchalmers

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

Show notes:

Bernie Fraser Oration 2026 | Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP, the Australia Institute on YouTube (October 2026)

Turning point. New analysis reveals tax changes are reversing 25 years of housing policy failure, the Australia Institute (October 2026)

Factcheck: Is immigration really causing Australia’s housing crisis? by Noah Schultz-Byard, The Point (September 2025)

Australia’s tax dilemma: the case for real reform, National Press Club address by Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute on YouTube (October 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.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers outlines the big challenges facing Australia and the importance of changing the status quo &ndash; 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 control many Australians feel right now, the rise of the far-right in Australia, and the importance of meaningful reform.
This episode was recorded live at the 2026 Bernie Fraser Oration on Tuesday 13 October.
Guest: Jim Chalmers, Treasurer of Australia and Labor Member for Rankin // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/jimchalmers.bsky.social">@jimchalmers</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://youtu.be/L4DaK7cea3k">Bernie Fraser Oration 2026 | Hon Dr Jim Chalmers MP</a>, the Australia Institute on YouTube (October 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/turning-point-new-analysis-reveals-tax-changes-are-reversing-25-years-of-housing-policy-failure/">Turning point. New analysis reveals tax changes are reversing 25 years of housing policy failure</a>, the Australia Institute (October 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/factchecks/fact-check-is-immigration-really-causing-australias-housing-crisis">Factcheck: Is immigration really causing Australia&rsquo;s housing crisis?</a> by Noah Schultz-Byard, The Point (September 2025)
<a href="https://youtu.be/y7mwGnb4CkA">Australia&rsquo;s tax dilemma: the case for real reform</a>, National Press Club address by Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute on YouTube (October 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.

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.

Jim Chalmers on reform and taking on the far right

Australia's intergenerational housing divide

Capital gains tax & negative gearing changes

Rent caps, low interest loans & public housing

Migration not to blame for the housing crisis

Change is possible

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 crisis, its long-term impacts on the lives of younger Australians, and her proposals to turn the situation around.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 6 October.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or online at www.lifeline.org.au.

Guest: Barbara Pocock, Senator for South Australia and Australian Greens Spokesperson for Housing & Homelessness // @barbarapocock

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

Show notes:

Locked out: the growing generational housing divide, Select Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity (September 2026)

Additional comments from the Chair, Senator Barbara Pocock, Select Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity (September 2026)

Senate Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity | Perth, WA, Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal on YouTube (August 2026)

Profit in home lending: April 2026 edition by Dave Richardson, the Australia Institute (April 2026)

Factcheck: Is immigration really causing Australia’s housing crisis? by Noah Schultz-Byard, The Point (September 2025)

Even Liberal voters agree, it’s time to ditch Howard era perks for property investors – polls, the Australia Institute (March 2026)

Youth mental health decline coincides with increased economic pressure: new report, the Australia Institute (August 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.

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 &amp; Homelessness, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss the housing crisis, its long-term impacts on the lives of younger Australians, and her proposals to turn the situation around.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 6 October.
If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact <a href="http://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a>&nbsp;on 13 11 14 or online at <a href="http://www.lifeline.org.au">www.lifeline.org.au</a>.
Guest: Barbara Pocock, Senator for South Australia and Australian Greens Spokesperson for Housing &amp; Homelessness // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/barbarapocock.bsky.social">@barbarapocock</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://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Intergenerational_Housing_Inequity/HousingInequity/Report">Locked out: the growing generational housing divide</a>, Select Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity (September 2026)
<a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Intergenerational_Housing_Inequity/HousingInequity/Report/Additional_comments_from_the_Chair_Senator_Barbara_Pocock">Additional comments from the Chair, Senator Barbara Pocock</a>, Select Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity (September 2026)
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/B4369Dy12og?si=_n_FdaLWhN04BwCy">Senate Committee on Intergenerational Housing Inequity | Perth, WA</a>, Australian Parliament House Streaming Portal on YouTube (August 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/profit-in-home-lending-april-2026-edition/">Profit in home lending: April 2026 edition</a> by Dave Richardson, the Australia Institute (April 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/factchecks/fact-check-is-immigration-really-causing-australias-housing-crisis">Factcheck: Is immigration really causing Australia&rsquo;s housing crisis?</a> by Noah Schultz-Byard, The Point (September 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/even-liberal-voters-agree-its-time-to-ditch-howard-era-perks-for-property-investors-polls/">Even Liberal voters agree, it&rsquo;s time to ditch Howard era perks for property investors &ndash; polls</a>, the Australia Institute (March 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/youth-mental-health-decline-coincides-with-increased-economic-pressure-new-report/">Youth mental health decline coincides with increased economic pressure: new report</a>, the Australia Institute (August 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.

Australia is a rich country, but for many younger Australians, the ability to share in that prosperity is increasingly out of reach.

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

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