The Economy, Stupid

This week we heard GDP growth has dropped, yet we’ve just given ourselves a pay rise. Does it really matter if the economy isn’t growing as much as we would like and is GDP the best measure anyway? What will this mean for inflation? This week we give the economy a health check and look at what this all means for the future of jobs.

This week, the chair of the Australian Energy Regulator, Claire Savage, advised us to “shop around” for a better deal as energy prices are set to rise by almost ten per cent, in some places. But how easy is it to shop around? And what happens when supplies don’t make it an even playing field for consumers?

The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates. Inflation is under control, unemployment is low, and the forecasts say ‘steady as she goes.’ What do we do when everything works out the way we’ve planned? Guests:Myriam Robin - Senior Writer for the Australian Financial ReviewTom Crowley - ABC federal political reporter and previously an economist with the federal treasuryGet in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming [email protected] or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

Welcome to the world of monopsony - where sellers, not buyers, get the raw deal.So, how does this impact me as a consumer?Then, the link between productivity and a pay increase. Guests:Emilia Terzon - ABC national business reporterMatthew McKenzie - Energy and economics reporter with the West Australian Get in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming [email protected] or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

With a strong second-term mandate, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a rare chance to drive real change. From tax to housing to climate policy, the moment is ripe for long-term reform that could shape Australia’s future for decades. But where to begin? Plus, listener Alex challenges the narrative around government debt and household budgets. Guests:Aruna Sathanapally - Chief executive, and economic prosperity director, of the Grattan InstituteMichael Janda - ABC News Business EditorGet in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming [email protected] or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.Listen to the full interview with Ken Henry on the Joseph Walker podcast: https://josephnoelwalker.com/ken-henry-aus-policy-series/

Australia’s inflation rate is now firmly in the RBA’s target band, but groceries, rent, and daily essentials still feel painfully expensive. Why is there a disconnect between the data and what we think is our lived reality? The Opposition leader, Peter Dutton, says he wants to cut Australia’s permanent migration program. Is such a cut possible? And could it stem the total net overseas migration?And, costings. We spend $9 million a year on the Parliamentary Budget Office. Shouldn't we get its insights before we vote? Guests:Megan Flamer - Innovation specialist with Monash Business School Brendan Coates - Housing and Economic Security Program director at the Grattan InstituteGet in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming [email protected] or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

It's more than job losses. It's dreams deferred and careers that never get off the ground. Why do the scars last a lifetime?Then, why does the Justice Department want to break up Google? Plus, penalty rates are under the spotlight again, but do they really cost the economy jobs? Guests:Dan Ziffer - ABC national business reporter Rachel Clayton - Business reporterGet in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming [email protected] or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

What do luxury handbags and kids’ colouring books have in common? They're both caught up in the latest economic crossfire. Then, we unpack the economic chaos of an election campaign full of promises, including a $1,000 no-questions-asked tax deduction. Plus, Australia’s very own Future Fund fantasies: who's really winning, and are you one of them?Guests:Megan Flamer - Innovation specialist with Monash Business School Emilia Terzon - ABC national business reporterGet in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming [email protected] or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

Super falling. Mortgage stress rising. Retirement plans, once solid, now blurred by uncertainty. There is an anxiety currently shaking Australian financial confidence. We unpack what Trump's latest tariffs mean for your financial future, and how to steady the ship in turbulent times.Guests:Nicki Hutley - Independent economistMichael Janda - ABC Business editor Get in touch: We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming [email protected] or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

President Trump is promising more than the world has ever seen. What impact will the US tariff move have on Australian producers, businesses, shoppers, and the broader economic landscape?

The budget week that began with an unexpected tax cut has evolved into a debate about what we pay at the pump. What's better for you in the long run?

Electricity makes up a smaller slice of household spending than beer or takeaway – yet power bills spark outrage like nothing else. With prices set to jump 30%, is the government trapped in an endless cycle of rebates? Plus, a restaurant collapse leaves workers unpaid, exposing a major flaw in Australia’s wage safety net. Meanwhile, cash is dying, and the Reserve Bank says it might not last another decade. Will you still be using it in 10 years? Emilia Terzon - ABC national business reporter James Eyres - Banking and payments writer, the Australian Financial Review, Get in touch:We read all of your emails, and appreciate each one. Please keep them coming [email protected] or use the #PeterMartinEconomy on Instagram to get our attention.

The US and Australian markets are in freefall, and now we face steep tariffs on steel and aluminium. That’s right, no special treatment for us down under!

Why destruction isn't counted against GDP, but the replacement is.

Your super is funding U.S roads and data centres. Is it simply, too big for Australia?

The RBA dropped interest rates this week - smart move? Or is the RBA kicking the financial can down the road? Plus, the South Australian government has forced the Whyalla Steelworks into administration. Then, the economic fallout of the family trust trial.

Tariffs are on the rise — so what does this mean for ultra-cheap sites like Temu? Then, is Elon Musk behind the recent slump in electric car sales? Plus, the question of whether Australia has slain the inflation dragon remains on the table.

Trump's tariffs are here, but do those voting for them really understand how they work? Plus, the housing market is cooling down, but should we take it further and push prices down even more? And, we’re taxing tobacco heavily, but surprisingly, the tax revenue is dropping. Turns out, it’s not because people are quitting. Could we be facing a self-defeating tax?Taj Pabari - social entrepreneur and author of Young, Dumb and Financially Independent: What school didn't teach you about money.Emilia Terzon - ABC national business reporter.Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

With inflation down and right within the Reserve Bank's target band, is there any reason why we shouldn't now expect a cut in interest rates? Plus, a deep dive into DeepSeek, the Chinese AI firm that shook the US stock market this week; and the economics of the Australian Open - turns out there's more than a Grand Slam title at stake. Guests:Myriam Robin - Senior writer with the Australian Financial Review.Isaac Gross - former Reserve Bank economist, now lecturer in economics at Monash University.Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

With Donald Trump back in the White House, it's boom time for billionaires and tech bros. How much will these changes trickle down to Australia? Plus, you’ve probably noticed those fees racking up, every time you tap your debit card. A push is now on to ban them, but this might have some unexpected - and expensive - consequences. Guests:Megan Flamer - Innovation and organisational development specialist with Monash Business School (and founder of Excited Adults)Michael Janda - ABC News Business Editor.Get in touch:We'd love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected]

The Economy, Stupid is your weekly guide to the world of business, economics and finance. Every Thursday, economist Peter Martin is joined by a team of sharp young thinkers for a fresh conversation about the financial stories making headlines and how they might affect you.

Australians have a sleeping problem. The most conservative estimates show one in 10 have a sleep disorder, which is having an impact on their safety, wellbeing and productivity.This ends up costing almost a $1 billion a week. And that’s not all. The total cost of inadequate sleep is thought to be as high as $75 billion a year.We’re not alone either. International research shows places like the US, the UK and Europe are facing similar problems, with similar costs.Guests:Shanthakumar Rajaratnam, Chair of the Sleep Health FoundationProfessor Ron Grunstein, The Woolcock Institute Wendy Troxel, The Rand CorporationZafina Ademi, Professor of Health Economics, Monash UniversityPresenter: Richard AedyProducer: Whitney Fitzsimons This program was first broadcast on 9th May, 2024

Journalist Ed Conway went on a journey to discover where the things we use in everyday life come from. He narrowed that search down to six vital materials: sand, salt, iron, copper, oil and lithium. These materials, he says, are like a gateway allowing us to see the spectrum of different things around us that really do matter. These materials from the ground that have enabled us to connect with each other, to provide energy and make machines. Guest: Ed Conway, Economics and Data Editor of Sky News and columnist for The Times and Sunday Times. He is the author of: Material World: a substantial story of our past and future published by Penguin.Credits: Presenter: Richard AedyProducer: Kate MacDonaldThis program was first broadcast on 15th February, 2024

After nine terrific years explaining how the economy and everything in it works, Richard Aedy looks back at the highlights of the decade as well as Australia's economic future with Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission. Guest - Danielle Wood, Chair of the Productivity Commission

The NDIS is vitally important, but because it was not designed to do everything, there are many areas where disabled Australians need more philanthropic support, assistance for those who want to start their own businesses or enjoy easeful, diverse travel experiences.A story for IDPWD (International Day of People with a Disability) 3rd December Guests:Simon Darcy, Professor of Management, UTS Business SchoolEmma Dawson, Executive Director of PerCapitaKirsty Nowlan, Executive Director of The Achieve FoundationLorna Hallahan, Associate Professor at Flinders Uni and non-executive board member of The Achieve Foundation

Not many of us care for Mondays, and statistically it really is the most dangerous day of the week as opposed to Black Friday where the biggest danger is watching your money disappear.Guest:Fleur Brown from the Australian Retailer's AssociationMilad Hagani from the University of NSWAlso, why are we not spending more on upskilling and training our workforce?Andrew Barker Head of Research at CEDA

Germany's economic dominance as Europe's biggest economy is in danger. A new book argues that the weaknesses have been brewing for decades, leaving Germany over-reliant on Russian gas, too focused on old industries and unable to adapt to the digital realities of the 21st century. Guest: Wolfgang Munchau, former Financial Times associate editor, and author of Kaput: The End of the German Miracle, outlines the myriad economic problems and a possible way out. Kaput will be published by Allen and Unwin on February 4, 2025And the Federal Government has decided to mandate keeping cash available for essential business, but this will come at a cost to small business.Guest: Steve Worthington, Professor at Swinburne University of Technology

Donald Trump's economic agenda is clear: less taxation and regulation; more tariffs. But some of his programs will require a lot of money, which means America will need to borrow more. Those borrowings and the impact of tariffs will affect small, open trading economies, like Australia.GuestsProfessor Susan Stone, Credit Union SA Chair of Economics, University of South AustraliaWin-Li Toh, Principal, Taylor Fry

Australians fork out much more on dental care than any other kind of health care. Which is why increasingly, people are delaying or skipping dental care, and 27% of kids aged between 5 and 10 had untreated decayed or missing teeth. So should, or could dental care be brought under the Medicare umbrella, and what might this cost? Guests:Peter Breadon, Program Director for Health and Aged Care at the Grattan InstituteDr Angie Nisson, Board Member of the Australia Dental Association and Clinical Director of Oral Health in Northern NSWDr Elizabeth Deveny, CEO of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia

One of the factors determining how people vote is the economy, and while America's is doing incredibly well right now, consumer confidence has slumped and most Americans are not feeling at all happy. Guests: Betsey Stevenson, Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of MichiganRobert Armstrong, US Financial commentator at the Financial TimesChristopher Rugaber, covers the US economy and Federal Reserve for Associated Press

There's a seismic change heading our way that will drive up electricity and water usage and it has to do with the uptake of generative AI, including Chat GPT. Giant tech companies are investing in nuclear power for their AI-fuelled race, however data centres also need clean, drinking-quality water. Guests:Ben Geman, energy reporter at Axios.com and the author of the daily Axios Generate newsletter, covering the world of energy business and politics.David Berreby, science writer based in New YorkGordon Noble, Research Director, Institute for Sustainable Futures, University of Technology Sydney

Obesity and associated health problems cause a significant burden on health systems, but should weight-loss drugs be offered under our PBS just for weight loss? In Britain, there is to be a trial of the weight loss drug Mounjaro, that will also seek to measure the economic impact of those benefits. Britain's Health Minister argues that weight loss drugs will be '"life-changing, help them get back to work and ease the demands on our NHS". Guests:Dr Norman Swan, co-presenter of ABC Radio National's Health Report, and the podcast 'What's That Rash?'Jonathan Karnon, Professor of Health Economics at Flinders UniversityNial Wheate, Pharmaceutical Chemist and Professor of Academic Excellence at Macquarie University And the Albanese Government this week announced a crack down on unfair and excessive card surcharges, promising to get a better deal for Australians and small business. The declining use of cash and the rise of electronic payments means more Australians are getting hit by often hidden surcharges. Guest:Brad Kelly, Co-founder of the Independent Payment Forum

The continuing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have horrified the world with the loss of life and devastation, raising the question, what's the cost of weaponry? World military expenditure surpassed $US2.44 trillion for the first time in 2022. Latest available figures show at $US916 billion, the US spends the most and it's also the world's largest exporter of weapons. Also US spending on Israel's military operations and related US operations in the Middle East this year total $22.76 billion, and that is only a partial figure. So how are some of these sums broken down?Guests:William Halsortung, Senior Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, and author of Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military Industrial ComplexSiemon Wezeman, Senior Researcher in SIPRI's Arms Transfers Program. (Stockholm's International Peace Research Institute)Dr Marcus Hellyer, Head of Research at Strategic Analysis Australia

In a new economic analysis of religions, Paul Seabright argues that religions are not the antithesis of economics, instead he likens them to competing businesses, attracting people by providing services such as community and a greater sense of meaning in life. The Divine Economy, published by Princeton University PressGuest:Paul Seabright, teaches economics at the Toulouse School of Economics. Prior to that he was a Fellow of All Souls College at the University of Oxford.

Australian's love affair with paying by card - and not cash - has now surpassed 90% of transactions. And each time we tap our card, the merchant incurs a cost that's passed onto you, the customer, to the tune of billions of dollars a year.So who gets the money? As part of a Review of Retail Payments Regulation, the RBA is expecting the industry - the banks, card companies and payment terminal companies - to cut processing costs by using what's called 'least cost routing'.Brad Kelly, Managing Director of Consulting Company, Payment ServicesWes Lambert, CEO of the Australian Restaurant and Cafe AssociationThe ACCC is seeking significant penalties for Coles and Woolworths in the Federal Court, alleging they systematically misled customers with their 'Prices Drop' and 'Down Down' claims. Neil Rechlin, Partner at NextGen Group

The recent Senate Economics Reference Committee chaired by Andrew Bragg, delivered an extremely critical report on the performance of the corporate regulator, ASIC. It was recommended that the Australian Securities and Investments Commission be split into two bodies to address a perceived lack of competence.Guests:Andy Schmulow, Associate Professor in the School of Law at the University of WollongongDr Jason Harris, Professor of Corporate Law, Interim Deputy Dean and Interim Deputy Head of School at the University of Sydney Law SchoolWhat's our environment worth? In 2025, the ABS will release its first set of national data to measure the value of our ecosystems, across terrestrial, freshwater and marine realms. Guest: Penny Johnson, Head of the Centre of Environmental Accounts at the Australian Bureau of Statistics

Treasurer Jim Chalmers recently said that 'high interest rates had smashed the economy'. And the Albanese Government has been set on driving through changes recommended in last year's independent review of the RBA - the biggest overhaul of the Reserve Bank in decades. But after the LNP withdrew its support for reform, Labour is now looking to the Greens. So how will we know whether the RBA is doing a good job or not? Guests: John Simon, former Head of Economic Research at the Reserve Bank, now Adjunct Professor at Macquarie UniversityJohn Quiggan, VC Senior Fellow in Economics at the University of QueenslandAnd how much pocket money are children getting these days? Guest: Matthew Bowen, Head of Consumer and Marketing Insights, ING Bank of Australia

Free to air TV was once the only place to watch your favourite football match, but that could change as streaming services and tech companies now compete for sports media rights. Sports bodies sell their rights to broadcasters, who then sell advertising slots or subscriptions, so the clubs and athletes get paid. While this mostly remains the case in Australia, the global value of these rights will this year surpass $US 60 billion with Amazon Prime, NBC and ESPN joining up for the rights to both men's and women's basketball. Guests: Minal Modha, Head of Sport at research firm, Ampere AnalysisBen Strauss, Sports and Media Reporter at The Washington PostDavid Rowe, Emeritus Professor of Cultural Research at the University of Western SydneyTim Burrowes, publisher of the media and marketing industry newsletter, Unmade.

We're almost a quarter of the way into the 21st Century and already it's clear money has changed. It's increasingly mobile. It's (relatively) cheap and more and more digital. Economist Richard Holden is charting the changes. Guest: Richard Holden, Professor of Economics at the University of NSW Business SchoolAuthor of "Money in the 21st Century; Cheap, Mobile, and Digital' published by University of California Press.

It is a bird? Is it a plane? Well, yes, it is a plane, but it's also something much more.We all know that airlines fly passengers and freight around the country and the world. But they're also like banks, and data collecting businesses. And that's because of the growing importance of their frequent flyer programs. Though you no longer need to fly to gain points. As customers we're not sure what these points are worth. But to the airlines, loyalty programs are so lucrative that they are a core part of their business.Guests:Katharine Kemp, Associate Professor at UNSW Law and JusticeDaniel Sciberras, Editor in Chief at Point HacksGanesh Sitaraman, Professor of Law at Vanderbilt University and author of Why flying is miserable and how to fix it, published by Columbia Global Reports Leona Tam, Professor at UTS Business School.This program is repeated from March, 2024

During RN's Science Week we focus on the business of space and the new global race to put people on the Moon. The space economy is predicted to be worth $US1.8 trillion in ten years time and one of the first steps is the construction of a Lunar Gateway, serving as a pathway to Mars.So what are the likely benefits for us on earth from this re-energised space race? Peggy Hollinger, Space Industry Editor for the Financial TimesProfessor Anna Moore, Director of the ANU's Institute for SpaceRyan Brukardt, Senior Partner in Global Management Consulting at McKinsey and Co

The Paris Olympics were designed to be 'infrastructure light' to avoid outlandish construction costs, yet the overspend is estimated at $US1 billion. Since the 2016 Rio Olympics' budget overrun by 352 per cent, many cities withdrew their bids in the face of strong public opposition. So should Olympic Games be held in one permanent location every four years? And how are plans for Brisbane's 2032 Olympic Games progressing? Andrew Zimbalist, Professor of Economics at Smith College, Massachusetts. Author of Circus Maximus and Boston Olympics: How and Why Smart Cities Are Passing on the TorchMichael Bleby, Deputy Property Editor at the Australian Financial Review

How have CEO bonuses reached such stratospheric levels? What do chief executives have to do to get them and how does getting them influence how they run the business?Researchers have found that CEO bonuses can lead to some sneaky corporate behaviour. And the incentives often don’t align the interests of the boss and the shareholders.Anna Bedford, Associate Professor at UTSGeoff Martin, Professor of Strategy at Melbourne Business SchoolDr Rebecca Bachmann, Lecturer, Department of Account and Corporate Governance, Macquarie University Ed Johns, Executive Manager, Australian Council of Superannuation Investors

What does the Crowdstrike outage have to teach us about risk management and relying on cyber?

Shopping malls are very big business globally and Australia's no different, with the twelve largest centres earning over $1 billion annually. Initially designed in the 1960s to accommodate hundreds of cars, targeting the suburban housewife, today they come in all sizes - from the big guns, to mini guns - and are much more responsive to diverse cultural needs, changing consumer trends, and the latest in entertainment.

Indigenous business and home ownership is on an upward trajectory. The role played by Indigenous owned and operated businesses in Australia's economy has expanded, contributing over $16 billion to the economy, and over $4.2 billion in wages. And Indigenous Business Australia has helped tens of thousands purchase their own home. No mean feat during this cost of living crisis.Laura Thompson, Co-Founder, Clothing the GapMichelle Evans, Director of the Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership at Melbourne University and Melbourne Business School Kelly Keane, Associate Director, Indigenous Business Australia

This week, everyone who's got a job will have more money in their pocket, thanks to the introduction of the Stage III tax cuts? So how do people plan to use the extra money? And is it good policy? In addition, hundreds of tariffs on imports will also be cut, a decision that economists love and applaud. GuestsKristen Sobeck, Research Fellow, Tax and Transfer Policy Institute, ANUMatthew Bowen, Head of Consumer and Market Insights, ING Bank AustraliaAlex Robson, Deputy Chair, Productivity Commission

If we reduce the number of immigrants will that reduce pressure on infrastructure and the cost of housing? The short answer is yes, but it will cost us in other ways. So how should we choose our skilled immigrants and help them make the biggest contribution? GuestsDiana Mousina: Deputy Chief Economist, AMP.Brendan Coates: Economic Policy Program Director, Grattan institute. Cassandra Windsor: Chief Economist, CEDA ( Committee for Economic Development of Australia)Tim Harrison: CEO of Ararat Rural City Council, Victoria.

Making bucket loads of money from crime is one thing but what do you then do with it all? Investigative journalist Geoff White explains how big time crims are making their dirty money clean. Guest: Geoff White, author of Rinsed: From Cartels to Crypto, How the Tech Industry Washes Money for the World’s Deadliest Crooks.

Coffee prices have climbed on commodity markets but not so much in cafes. Why is that?