Dollars & Sense

The big jump for the CPI has created some dramatic headlines, but digging just a bit deeper into the data reveals a different story.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the latest inflation figures, which are the first to include the impact of the war in Iran, and why the RBA should take a step back and look at all the data, before they meet to assess interest rates next week.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 30 April 2026.
Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.
Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
Another RBA rate rise won’t fix inflation – it will just smash households already hit by soaring fuel costs, by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026)
Rate hikes won’t fix inflation caused by fuel prices, by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (April 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 [email protected]. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the federal budget looming, a gas export tax would drive down prices and fund vital public services at a time when Australians are feeling the pinch.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the case for a 25 per cent gas export tax, why global foreign aid spending has plummeted, and the likelihood of the government announcing reforms to housing investor tax concessions ahead of the May federal budget.
This discussion was recorded on Wednesday 22 April 2026.
Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.
Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
Capital gains tax changes are on the table, and yet Armageddon has not arrived. Has the tide on housing turned at last? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026)
Richard Denniss and Konrad Benjamin (aka Punters Politics) at the Senate Select Committee on taxing gas, The Australia Institute on YouTube (April 2026)
Taxing gas in Australia and Japan by Richard Denniss, Rod Campbell & Matt Saunders, the Australia Institute (April 2026)
International aid enters historic decline with Australia among lowest contributors by Tegan George, The Point (April 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 [email protected]. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It reads like a dystopian sci-fi novel, but the latest IMF report on the global economy refuses to name the orange elephant in the room.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s latest World Economic Outlook report, its forecast for Australia, Angus Taylor’s Trumpy immigration policy announcement, and why immigration isn’t causing the housing crisis.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 16 April 2026.
Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.
Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
The IMF refuses to name the cause of this global chaos. It starts with ‘Donald’ and ends in ‘Trump’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026)
World Economic Outlook: Global Economy in the Shadow of War, International Monetary Fund (April 2026)
Corporate profits increase inflation | Fact Sheet, the Australia Institute (November 2024)
Taylor has only ‘vibes and fumes’, no answers on migration by Amy Remeikis, The New Daily (April 2026)
The data shows Australia’s population growth isn’t out of control, it has simply returned to trend by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (March 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 [email protected]. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US president is wreaking havoc in Iran and around the world.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss Trump’s horrific threats against Iran, whether Australians should be concerned about a recession as a result of the global uncertainty the US president is causing, Matt Canavan’s plans for an economic revolution, and why land values have skyrocketed while the value of the dwellings on the land hasn’t changed much at all.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 9 April 2026.
Visit The Point for research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts at the Australia Institute and beyond.
Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
Is Australia headed for a recession? I hope not - but the RBA should be more worried by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026)
After America, the Australia Institute
The data shows Australia’s population growth isn’t out of control, it has simply returned to trend by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (March 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 [email protected]. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Until a 25% gas export tax is put in place, Australians are missing out on billions every year that could be used to support people through the living standards crisis.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the prime minister’s national address on the impacts of the US-Israel war on Iran, policy responses to fuel price hikes, Australia’s gas giveaway and Greg’s visit to a gas conference.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 2 April 2026.
Check out our Australia’s Gas Giveaway live tracker.
Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
Prices skyrocket but major fuel shortages “very unlikely”, Follow the Money (April 2026)
Australia’s land value has gone through the roof. Where does that leave young people who want to buy a home? by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (April 2026)
Fuel costs and RBA hikes equal to a 90 basis point rate rise: 'this is brutal' by Greg Jericho, The Point (March 2026)
Fuelling inequality: The brunt of a global crisis should not be borne by people in poverty by Kristin O’Connell, The Point (March 2026)
The case for a gas export tax, explained by Richard Denniss, The Point (March 2026)
Tax gas exports, invest in health/aged care – new polls, the Australia Institute (March 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 [email protected]. Subscribe to Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.