Rooftop solar and data centres are drivers of Australia’s economic growth, but do they really bring the same value to Australian society?
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Angus discuss why the devil is in the detail of the latest economic growth figures and how the Victoria has led the other states on housing affordability.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 4 December.
A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off.
Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia’s future by Professor George Williams is also available now.
Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut
Host: Angus Blackman, Executive Producer, the Australia Institute // @AngusRB
Show notes:
There are two big drivers of Australia’s economic growth – but shape matters as much as size by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (December 2025)
Weaker-than-expected GDP should end talk of budget cuts and rate hikes by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (December 2025)
House prices rise but Melbourne shows a way to improve affordability by Greg Jericho, The Point (December 2025)
Trump’s shutdown power play, After America, The Australia Institute (October 2025)
Financial regulatory framework and home ownership by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, The Australia Institute (October 2024)
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.
If you want to understand the limitations of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a measure of wellbeing, then the latest figures for the March quarter are a great example. The overall picture saw the economy grow by 0.3% for the March quarter and by 2.5% for the last year. This shows slow growth but not as slow as some were predicting.
Last week’s AFR Rich List again exposed the scale of wealth concentration in Australia, revealing billionaire wealth grew by $50,000 per minute - more than the average childcare worker earns. This increase alone could lift nearly 1 million people out of poverty.
