Thu 16 Jul 2026 16.30 AEST
AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts
The tech industry talks about huge investment in Australia. That sounds great, but who’ll actually benefit?
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Matt Grudnoff joins Elinor to discuss Anthony Albanese’s speech on artificial intelligence, lessons for data centre regulation from Australia’s experience with the gas industry, Barnaby Joyce’s vision for the Reserve Bank, and Matt’s guide to voodoo.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 16 July 2026.
Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble.
Host: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
The PM has pledged to protect artists’ copyright. But without action on AI theft it is all hot air by Alice Grundy, The Conversation (July 2026)
The Wrap: No, a drop in house prices isn’t a calamity. It means housing is finally becoming more affordable by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (July 2026)
One Nation’s economic thought bubbles have little substance – except for one by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (July 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 Dollars & Sense on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.
As state and territory governments face mounting pressure over debt and the delivery of essential services, some economists argue a flawed federal tax system – not spending decisions alone – has left them billions of dollars short.
Since the budget passed significant tax reform that is designed, among other things, to make housing more affordable, house prices were flat in May and then dropped by 0.4% in June. Some in the media have lost their minds at the very idea that house prices might not continue increasing. But rapidly rising house prices are the opposite of affordable housing.
