Excessive secrecy in government decision-making makes Australia less safe, not more.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Bill Browne, Democracy & Accountability Director at the Australia Institute, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss whistleblower protections, improving the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and why Australia may be the world’s most secretive democracy.

This discussion was recorded live on Tuesday 22 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording.

Find all the content from the Australia Institute’s Transparency Summit 2024 on our website or via the Australia Institute on YouTube.

australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute

Guest: Bill Browne, Director, Democracy & Accountability Program, the Australia Institute // @Browne90

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

Show notes:

Secrecy is not security, Bill Browne (October 2024)

Labor and Democracy, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP (December 2019)

Making freedom of information “sexy” with Rex Patrick, Follow the Money (April 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.

Excessive secrecy in government decision-making makes Australia less safe, not more.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Bill Browne, Democracy &amp; Accountability Director at the Australia Institute, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss whistleblower protections, improving the National Anti-Corruption Commission, and why Australia may be the world’s most secretive democracy.
This discussion was recorded live on Tuesday 22 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
Find all the content from the Australia Institute’s Transparency Summit 2024 on <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/event/transparency-summit-2024/">our website</a> or via <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgXQ0oSpA60wccWoKZY8LAnyyVSVLCYj1">the Australia Institute on YouTube</a>.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/">australiainstitute.org.au</a> // <a href="http://twitter.com/theausinstitute">@theausinstitute</a>
Guest: Bill Browne, Director, Democracy &amp; Accountability Program, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://x.com/Browne90">@Browne90</a>
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://x.com/ebony_bennett">@ebony_bennett</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://youtu.be/dpxIriqxzc8?si=tJp0_ZjbpkYTyB2R">Secrecy is not security</a>, Bill Browne (October 2024)
<a href="https://anthonyalbanese.com.au/media-centre/speech-address-to-the-chifley-research-centre-conference-sydney-saturday-7-december-2019">Labor and Democracy</a>, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP (December 2019)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/making-freedom-of-information-sexy-with-rex-patrick/">Making freedom of information “sexy” with Rex Patrick</a>, Follow the Money (April 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 <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.

Excessive secrecy in government decision-making makes Australia less safe, not more.

Secrecy is not security

More frequent and severe disasters are sending insurance costs through the roof, creating a north-south divide in Australia. 

On this episode of Follow the Money, Walkley Award-winning journalist Stephen Long joins Alice Grundy to discuss climate change, skyrocketing premiums and serious impact they’re having on inequality.

This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 13 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording.

Pre-order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute

Guest: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow and Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute // @StephenLongAus

Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // @alicektg

Show notes:

Premium price: The impact of climate change on insurance costs, the Australia Institute (November 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.

More frequent and severe disasters are sending insurance costs through the roof, creating a north-south divide in Australia. 
On this episode of Follow the Money, Walkley Award-winning journalist Stephen Long joins Alice Grundy to discuss climate change, skyrocketing premiums and serious impact they’re having on inequality.
This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 13 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
Pre-order <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/Whats-the-Big-Idea-p697420081">What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia</a> now, via the Australia Institute website.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/">australiainstitute.org.au</a> // <a href="http://twitter.com/theausinstitute">@theausinstitute</a>
Guest: Stephen Long, Senior Fellow and Contributing Editor, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://x.com/StephenLongAus">@StephenLongAus</a>
Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://x.com/alicektg">@alicektg</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/premium-price-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-insurance-costs/">Premium price: The impact of climate change on insurance costs</a>, the Australia Institute (November 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 <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

More frequent and severe disasters are sending insurance costs through the roof, creating a north-south divide in Australia.

The uninsurables: how climate change is pricing people out of home insurance

The United Nations climate change negotiations are skirting around the critical issue of phasing out fossil fuels and are in desperate need of reform, says Sandrine Dixson-Declève.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss phasing out fossil fuels, the false narratives being peddled about the green transition, and why addressing inequality is fundamental to tackling the climate crisis.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 24 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording.

Pre-order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute

Guest: Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome // @SDDecleve

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

Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // @alicekgt

Show notes:

Earth for All – A Survival Guide for Humanity, The Club of Rome (2022)

The Limits to Growth, The Club of Rome (1972)

‘COP28 did not deliver. We need better global governance and brave leadership’ by Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Reuters (December 2023)

Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia 2024, The Australia Institute (May 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.

The United Nations climate change negotiations are skirting around the critical issue of phasing out fossil fuels and are in desperate need of reform, says Sandrine Dixson-Declève.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss phasing out fossil fuels, the false narratives being peddled about the green transition, and why addressing inequality is fundamental to tackling the climate crisis.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 24 October 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
Pre-order <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/Whats-the-Big-Idea-p697420081">What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia</a> now, via the Australia Institute website.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/">australiainstitute.org.au</a> // <a href="http://twitter.com/theausinstitute">@theausinstitute</a>
Guest: Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome // <a href="https://x.com/SDDecleve">@SDDecleve</a>
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://x.com/ebony_bennett">@ebony_bennett</a>
Host: Alice Grundy, Research Manager, Anne Kantor Fellows, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://x.com/alicektg">@alicekgt</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://www.clubofrome.org/publication/earth4all-book/">Earth for All – A Survival Guide for Humanity</a>, The Club of Rome (2022)
<a href="https://www.clubofrome.org/publication/the-limits-to-growth/">The Limits to Growth</a>, The Club of Rome (1972)
<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/comment-cop28-did-not-deliver-we-need-better-global-governance-brave-leadership-2023-12-14/">‘COP28 did not deliver. We need better global governance and brave leadership’</a> by Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Reuters (December 2023)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/fossil-fuel-subsidies-in-australia-2024/">Fossil fuel subsidies in Australia 2024</a>, The Australia Institute (May 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 <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

The United Nations climate change negotiations are skirting around the critical issue of phasing out fossil fuels and are in desperate need of reform, says Sandrine Dixson-Declève.

Hitting our limits: the climate and COP29

With its democracy under assault, America needs a friend, not a flunkey.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute International & Security Affairs Advisor Allan Behm joins us to discuss the “unachievable” AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, Australia’s ‘fear of abandonment’, and how the outcome of the presidential election might change US foreign policy.

This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 5 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording.

australiainstitute.org.au // @theausinstitute

Guest: Allan Behm, International & Security Affairs Advisor, the Australia Institute // @Mirandaprorsus

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

Show notes:

The Odd Couple: the Australia-America relationship by Allan Behm (2024)

No Enemies No Friends: Restoring Australia’s Global Relevance by Allan Behm (2022)

Fear of Abandonment: Australia in the World since 1942 by Allan Gyngell (2021)

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.

With its democracy under assault, America needs a friend, not a flunkey.
On this episode of Follow the Money, Australia Institute International &amp; Security Affairs Advisor Allan Behm joins us to discuss the “unachievable” AUKUS nuclear submarine deal, Australia’s ‘fear of abandonment’, and how the outcome of the presidential election might change US foreign policy.
This discussion was recorded on Tuesday 5 November 2024 and things may have changed since recording.
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/">australiainstitute.org.au</a> // <a href="http://twitter.com/theausinstitute">@theausinstitute</a>
Guest: Allan Behm, International &amp; Security Affairs Advisor, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://x.com/Mirandaprorsus">@Mirandaprorsus</a>
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://x.com/ebony_bennett">@ebony_bennett</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://upswellpublishing.com/product/the-odd-couple">The Odd Couple: the Australia-America relationship</a> by Allan Behm (2024)
<a href="https://upswellpublishing.com/product/no-enemies-no-friends">No Enemies No Friends: Restoring Australia’s Global Relevance</a> by Allan Behm (2022)
<a href="https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/books/fear-abandonment">Fear of Abandonment: Australia in the World since 1942</a> by Allan Gyngell (2021)
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 <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

With its democracy under assault, America needs a friend, not a flunkey.

Secrecy is not security

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