Australia's surplus obsession (and why it needs to end)

The Government is being grilled by the media about how it will pay for its changed to Medicare – but why are journalists not asking the same questions of Australia’s expensive and unfair tax concessions?

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Hayden discuss the latest monthly inflation data, the proposed improvements to Medicare, and Australia’s misguided obsession with federal budget surpluses.

This discussion was recorded on Thursday 27 February 2025 and things may have changed since recording.

Subscribe to Between the Lines, The Australia Institute's fortnightly newsletter.

Order What's the Big Idea? 32 Big Ideas for a Better Australia now, via the Australia Institute website.

Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work // @grogsgamut

Host: Hayden Starr, Digital Media Manager, the Australia Institute // @haydenstarr

Show notes:

‘It’s time we asked: what is the cost not just to the budget, but to society, when the richest are helped to get richer?’ by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2025)

‘Superannuation tax concessions are making inequality worse’ by Greg Jericho, the Australia Institute (July 2024)

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 [e-mail].

Support Dollars & Sense: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.