The AUKUS submarine deal should be scrapped and the subject of a Royal Commission, according to the commissioners of the AUKUS Public Inquiry.

On this episode of Follow the Money, former Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Admiral Chris Barrie AO RAN (retd), and Australia Institute co-CEO, Leanne Minshull, join Ebony Bennett to discuss the findings of the recent independent public inquiry into the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine deal.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 10 November.

Sign the petition calling for a Royal Commission into AUKUS on the Australia Institute website.

Guest: Chris Barrie, former Chief of the Australian Defence Force

Guest: Leanne Minshull, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @leanneminshull

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Surrendering Australia: the AUKUS deception, Public Inquiry into AUKUS Commissioners’ Report, Australian Peace and Security Forum (November 2026)

Public Inquiry into AUKUS recommends recalibrating Australia’s relationship with the US, the Australia Institute (November 2026)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

Scrapping AUKUS deal would threaten national security by Linda Reynolds, The Australian (November 2026)

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. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

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The Reserve Bank’s fifth interest rate hike of 2026 will hurt Australian mortgage holders as big corporates profit.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Matt Grudnoff joins Ebony Bennett to discuss what’s really driving inflation, who’s benefitting in this economy, how the government can support the Australians who need it most.

This episode was recorded on Wednesday 4 November.

Guest: Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist, the Australia Institute // @mattgrudnoff

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Big four banks cash in on borrowers’ misery as rates rise again, the Australia Institute (November 2026)

Profit-price spiral: the truth behind Australia’s inflation by Jim Stanford, the Australia Institute (February 2023)

Woodside records mega war profits while Australians pay through the nose, the Australia Institute (October 2026)

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. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration and US democracy itself face a big test at the midterm elections.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Dr Emma Shortis joins Ebony Bennett to discuss US politics ahead of the midterms and the state of democracy globally.

This episode was recorded on Tuesday 27 October.

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Guest: Emma Shortis, Director, International & Security Affairs, the Australia Institute // @emmashortis

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Shorter America: Michigan Matters; Looking to Europe; Political Violence by Emma Shortis (October 2026)

Trump still the elephant in Canberra as US midterms approach, After America, the Australia Institute (October 2026)

After America: Australia and the new world order by Emma Shortis, Australia Institute Press (May 2025)

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. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Support Follow the Money & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4vs6XeO

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.