Wed 4 Mar 2026 10.45 AEDT
The White House/Flickr
The far-right is benefitting from a failing status quo – but it doesn’t have to be this way.
On this episode of Follow the Money, author and economist Gary Stevenson joins Ebony Bennett to discuss wealth inequality, the global issue of housing unaffordability, why Australia should tax gas properly, and how many far-right parties have become the Steven Bradburys of global politics.
This episode was recorded on Thursday 26 February.
What we owe the water: It’s time for a fossil fuel treaty by Kumi Naidoo is available now for just $19.95. Use the code ‘PODVP’ at checkout to get free shipping.
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Guest: Gary Stevenson, economist and author of The Trading Game // @garyseconomics
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Show notes:
Tax: Beer drinkers vs gas companies by Rod Campbell, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
Killing the Australian Dream: The failure of the capital gains tax discount by Matt Grudnoff and Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
Photo: The White House/Flickr (U.S. Government work)
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 backlash from vested interests was in full swing this week after the Federal Budget delivered real reforms that will make housing more affordable. They are trying to convince us that young people will be the biggest losers from these changes. The big problem with that is that it is entirely untrue. Young people get almost no benefit from the CGT discount.
Disability advocates have joined growing calls for a 25 per cent tax on gas exports, arguing the revenue could help protect Australians on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) from cuts to essential supports. The renewed push comes as Labor introduced the legislation into Parliament today, projecting the changes will save the government $36.2 billion over the next four years.
