There are lots of people worried that the housing changes in the federal budget are going to hurt renters by reducing the number of rental properties and pushing up prices. But there is no need to worry. These changes will not increase rents.
One of the risks for higher inflation comes from the data centre boom we are now seeing. The RBA’s liaison with business has detected that data centres are hoovering up construction workers, adding to capacity constraints in the economy.
During yesterday's question time, Liberal MP Tim Wilson wanted to know why the number of first-home buyers dropped “more than 6% this calendar year.” This, however, was a very weird question, because he was comparing the June 2026 quarter to the December 2025 quarter. That is like comparing apples and oranges.
Australians have been dudded by the gas industry. It’s past time governments admitted it.
Dr Richard Denniss, Australia Institute co-CEO and author of More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia, joins Ebony Bennett to discuss why Australia gives away gas to multinational corporations and why similarly dud deals could happen with Big Tech and other industries if we don’t learn lessons from the past.
This episode was recorded on Tuesday 18 August.
More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest edition in the Vantage Point series, is available now.
Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble.
Guest: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett
Quality research, analysis, explainers and factchecks from experts you can trust.
Show notes:
Australia’s gas giveaway, the Australia Institute
David Pocock, Greens call for investigation into $1.5 billion Middle Arm investment ‘shrouded in secrecy’ by Roxanne Fitzgerald, ABC News (August 2024)
What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
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