On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss explains why government spending isn’t to blame for higher inflation in Australia right now and why arguments about whether the government spends too much or too little are simplistic; how the money is spent matters.

This episode was recorded on Friday 6 November.

Read more on The Point.

Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss

Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang

Show notes:

More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, Australia Institute Press (August 2026)

Rate rises won’t bring down oil prices or stop the data centre boom by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (October 2026)

Brutal interest rate hike won’t address main causes of inflation, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (November 2026)

Six ways to save the Commonwealth billions, fairly and efficiently by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, The Point (November 2026)

Theme music: 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 What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.