A housing crisis, accelerating climate change and widening inequality all confront the re-elected Albanese Government, but the solutions exist (and often aren’t that complicated).

The government is confronting major challenges in its second term. But despite what we’re often told, there is no shortage of solutions – governments just need the courage to implement them. On this episode of Follow the Money, we hear from four leading policy thinkers – Richard Denniss, Maiy Azize, Polly Hemming and Thomas Mayo – about making big, bold ideas a reality.

Find the What’s the Big Idea? series via our website or wherever you get your podcasts.

Our independence is our strength – and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute’s End of Financial Year appeal today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.

Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss 

Guest: Maiy Azize, National Spokesperson for Everybody's Home and Deputy Director of Anglicare Australia // @MaiyAzize 

Guest: Polly Hemming, Director of Climate & Energy Program, the Australia Institute // @pollyjhemming 

Guest: Thomas Mayo, Assistant National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia // @thomasmayo

Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award-winning journalist and broadcaster // @PaulBarclay

Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // @glennconnley

Show notes:

Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia 2025 by Matt Grudnoff and Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

Offsetting Us Up To Fail: The myths of ‘nature markets’ explained by Richard Denniss and Polly Hemming, the Australia Institute (November 2022)

Housing affordability crisis – saving for a deposit forever by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025)

Truth in political advertising laws, the Australia Institute (December 2024)

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.

A housing crisis, accelerating climate change and widening inequality all confront the re-elected Albanese Government, but the solutions exist (and often aren&rsquo;t that complicated).
The government is confronting major challenges in its second term. But despite what we&rsquo;re often told, there is no shortage of solutions &ndash; governments just need the courage to implement them. On this episode of Follow the Money, we hear from four leading policy thinkers &ndash; Richard Denniss, Maiy Azize, Polly Hemming and Thomas Mayo &ndash; about making big, bold ideas a reality.
Find the What&rsquo;s the Big Idea? series <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/news/category/podcasts/whats-big-idea-pod/">via our website</a> or wherever you get your podcasts.
Our independence is our strength &ndash; and only you can make that possible. By donating to the Australia Institute&rsquo;s <a href="https://theaus.in/EOFY2025FTM">End of Financial Year appeal</a> today, you'll help fund the research changing Australia for the better.
Guest: Richard Denniss, Executive Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/richarddenniss.bsky.social">@richarddenniss</a>&nbsp;
Guest: Maiy Azize, National Spokesperson for Everybody's Home and Deputy Director of Anglicare Australia // <a href="https://x.com/maiyazize?lang=en">@MaiyAzize</a>&nbsp;
Guest: Polly Hemming, Director of Climate &amp; Energy Program, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/pollyjhemming.bsky.social">@pollyjhemming</a>&nbsp;
Guest: Thomas Mayo, Assistant National Secretary, Maritime Union of Australia // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/thomasmayo.bsky.social">@thomasmayo</a>
Host: Paul Barclay, Walkley Award-winning journalist and broadcaster // <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulBarclay">@PaulBarclay</a>
Host: Glenn Connley, Senior Media Advisor, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/glennconnley.bsky.social">@glennconnley</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/fossil-fuel-subsidies-in-australia-2025/">Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia 2025</a>&nbsp;by Matt Grudnoff and Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (March 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/event/offsetting-us-up-to-fail-the-myths-of-nature-markets-explained/">Offsetting Us Up To Fail: The myths of &lsquo;nature markets&rsquo; explained</a>&nbsp;by Richard Denniss and Polly Hemming, the Australia Institute (November 2022)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/housing-affordability-crisis-saving-for-a-deposit-forever/">Housing affordability crisis &ndash; saving for a deposit forever</a> by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (March 2025)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/truth-in-political-advertising-laws/">Truth in political advertising laws</a>, the Australia Institute (December 2024)
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>.

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.

A housing crisis, accelerating climate change and widening inequality all confront the re-elected Albanese Government, but the solutions exist (and often aren’t that complicated).

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