Episodes
-
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 Press
Guest:
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 -
Missing episodes?
-
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 Analysis
Ben Strauss, Sports and Media Reporter at The Washington Post
David Rowe, Emeritus Professor of Cultural Research at the University of Western Sydney
Tim 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 School
Author 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 Justice
Daniel Sciberras, Editor in Chief at Point Hacks
Ganesh 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 donât 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.
Guests
Kristen 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?
Guests
Diana 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 Worldâs Deadliest Crooks.
-
Coffee prices have climbed on commodity markets but not so much in cafes. Why is that?
-
People are drinking less alcohol, especially Millennials and Gen Z. And the drinks industry has noticed.
Low-alc and no-alc drinks make up a tiny fraction of the market. But itâs growing at 7 percent a year. And, as more of us either moderate our drinking or stop altogether, the future for these drinks look bright.
But the way theyâre advertised, marketed and packaged makes them look very like alcoholic drinks and thereâs some concern they may act as a gateway to alcohol.
Guests:
Simon Strachan, CEO, Drinkwise
Elfrun von Koeller, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group
Andy Miller, CEO, Heaps Normal
Dr Ashlea Bartram, Senior Research Fellow, National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction, Flinders University
-
TikTok, the phone app that sends a stream of viral videos to every user, is in trouble in the United States.
The company must either change its Chinese ownership, or leave the American market.
In response, TikTok is underlining its economic contribution, in Australia and elsewhere. So how much difference does it make?
Guests:
Dr Joanne Gray, Lecturer in Digital Cultures, University of Sydney
Ariana Hendry, Co-founder, Beysis
Kristian Kolding, Head of Consulting, Oxford Economics Australia
Professor Vili Lehdonvirta, Oxford Internet Institute, Oxford University
-
As they say a âdiamond is foreverâ. But does it matter if that diamond is grown in a lab or mined from the Earth? Especially if they both are chemically, physically, and optically identical.
And given that cost of living pressures are colliding with consumersâ desire to not compromise on size or quality, more and more Australians can see the logic behind lab grown gems. In America, lab-grown may have peaked.
Guests:
Cormac Kinney, Founder & CEO, Diamond Standard
Paul Zimnisky, Leading Global Diamond Industry Analyst
Talitha Cummins, Founder, the Cut Jewellery
Eloise Sohier, Customer, The Cut Jewellery
- Show more