Cost of living is rising in Australia – but migrants are not the cause. “Migration isn't the issue here and blaming migrants is not going to fix the problem.” - Matt Grudnoff Read more: https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/is-population-growth-driving-the-housing-crisis-heres-the-reality/

Australia is the most expensive place to send a kid to high school in the developed world! 🤯 "We've basically privatised our education system." Chief Economist Greg Jericho unpacks how we got here on the latest Dollars & Sense! 💰 @grogsgamut.bsky.social @elinorjohnstonleek.bsky.social #auspol

As democracy teeters, and the nuclear threat escalates, and more and more egregious allegations of pedophilia at the highest levels of power come to light – don’t forget to smile, ladies. Read this week’s Shorter America on The Point: https://theaus.in/3MpuOLS

Tasmania’s Liberal Government is being warned against rushing to lock in long-term logging contracts. “The ecological cost is enormous, the climate impact is profound, and the economic losses continue to pile up.” - Louise Morris Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4qntkjk

Let's get this straight. Adani donates $600k the Qld LNP before election. After the election, Qld LNP ends legal action over $400 MILLION in unpaid royalties. Dodgy, dodgy, dodgy. Thread. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Australia is the most expensive place in the developed world to send a child to high school - but why? @grogsgamut.bsky.social & @elinorjohnstonleek.bsky.social discuss the RBA’s interest rate hike & the impact of Howard-era privatisation measures on education. #auspol 🎧 bit.ly/3ZlkjvV

Everybody’s Home has released its new ‘No Way Out’ sector survey results, with national spokesperson Maiy Azize warning that frontline services are trapped in constant crisis mode. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/3ZYvNFP

Chief Economist Greg Jericho told The Australia Institute’s Dollars & Sense podcast that while the OECD indicated the Albanese government should reign in its spending “a little bit”, it highlighted a much bigger problem. 🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts 📖 Read more: https://theaus.in/4aE8Qgr

In 2023, Australia Institute polling research found three in four Victorians (73%) supported a ban on government contractors making political donations: https://theaus.in/4ap0VDA Read our report Money and power in Victorian Elections: https://theaus.in/3O18J6P

“To stop fossil fuels, we must stop fossil fuel ads. Politicians, here’s your chance to move up the trust rankings,” writes Belinda Noble, founder of climate communications charity, Comms Declare. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4r0xBtX

“If we want a housing system that works for everyone, it’s time to stop lining the pockets of property investors and start funding homes that people can genuinely afford,” writes Maiy Azize and James Hall. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4tjukaP

“Australia needs a strong Parliament. There are multiple checks on Government power. Time and column inches are best spent on the people who are doing something constructive,” writes Bill Browne. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4by50HE

Why did the RBA jump the gun on raising interest rates? "If they go too fast, the cons are that the economy will slow down and unemployment will go up. Well, that's not a con to the RBA." @MattGrudnoff @ebony_bennett #auspol

“Labor still has a chance to shape the future, and history won’t look back to discuss whether or not modern Labor was 'moderate' or 'centrist' enough. It will judge it on whether it met the moment and the times,” writes @amyremeikis.bsky.social. Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/4adAhNL

LIVE NOW: The Point Live with Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at @australiainstitute.org.au, is live now. All the day’s parliamentary events, live as it happens on The Point ➡️ https://theaus.in/45CSPpi 1w

Environmental advocates are calling on federal environment minister Murray Watt to reject the project due to its emissions and the impacts it would have on koala habitat. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4qVi9PH

The Antipoverty Centre is urging the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to start dealing “frank fearless advice” to the Government and advocate for a change in policy to include heatwaves as a genuine reason to pause mutual obligation requirements. Read more: https://theaus.in/3ZPyfhR

“One economist writing in the AFR blamed inflation on . . . the Government mandating a 15% pay rise for childcare workers. That’s a stunning impact given childcare workers make up about 1.5% of the labour force." - Greg Jericho Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4rv9wv9

Recent ANU research identified just 20 organisations that dominate climate policy activity in Australia, and The Australia Institute was one of this small core group of influential voices. Learn more: https://theaus.in/4ra6oVC

With inflation being driven by Christmas holidays & data centres, the RBA didn’t need to raise the interest rate this week. @mattgrudnoff.bsky.social & @ebonybennett.bsky.social discuss why the RBA is so cautious about cutting rates, yet so quick to hike them up. #auspol 🎧 theaus.in/4qkepGv

“While using the traditional ‘left-right’ lens makes some sense for some policy issues, for most of the big issues paralysing our current federal parliament it is the left-right frame that is causing much of the confusion and paralysis.” - Richard Denniss Read more: https://theaus.in/4axwXhF

“Every day [MAGA] is becoming more solidified and less likely to go away,” Don Watson said on The Australia Institute’s After America podcast. 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts 📖 Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/3ZQhuTL

LIVE NOW: The Point Live with Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at @australiainstitute.org.au, is live now. All the day’s parliamentary events, live as it happens on The Point ➡️ https://theaus.in/3ZGJWYe

The RBA raised interest rates on Tuesday, seemingly because they decided they were expected to, as Chief Economist Greg Jericho told The Guardian Full Story. And December inflation figures skewed by end-of-year travel gave them the excuse they needed. #auspol @grogsgamut.bsky.social

“Constituents are watching closely. History will remember whether their elected representatives acted with bravery in the public interest, or once again chose to extend the life of fossil fuel interests that should be wound down.” - Louise Morris Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/4rxy46N

Great to see Senator Shoebridge quoting our research in Parliament! The only way to fix the housing crisis is to address real issues like negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, instead of blaming immigration. #auspol @davidshoebridge.bsky.social

“As it stands, this Government has chosen to drag the public into yet another unlawful welfare scandal, because it is unwilling to challenge private business, and Robodebt-era systems and ideologies of punishment,” writes Jeremy Poxon. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/3LPJrrJ

LIVE NOW: The Point Live with Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at @australiainstitute.org.au, is live now. All the day’s parliamentary events, live as it happens on The Point ➡️ https://theaus.in/45CSPpi 1w

What does the RBA interest rate hike really mean? Why does Greg Jericho call it “cowardly” – and what does the Ashes have to do with it? Hear Greg Jericho on The Full Story podcast: https://www.theguardian.com/business/audio/2026/feb/04/greg-jericho-on-the-cowardly-rate-rise-full-story-podcast

“The prospect of a cash rate increase on Tuesday changed dramatically over the past month. One wonders if the Reserve Bank listened more to the commentariat than the data.” - Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, The Australia Institute Read more about the RBA interest rate rise: https://theaus.in/4qTmItP

Loopholes in Victoria's political donation laws mean the major parties receive uncapped gifts from their fundraising arms while donation caps apply to everyone else. @browne90.bsky.social #auspol

“This is a bad decision from the RBA. There was plenty of evidence against raising rates, but they pushed ahead anyway. Let’s hope the economy continues to be resilient,” writes Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at The Australia Institute. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/467KrOT

Global fossil fuel corporates like Woodside, Chevron, Glencore, Exxon and BHP are making Australia hotter, drier and wrecking your life. Fully backed by our governments. Support @australiainstitute.org.au call to make them pay👇 nb.australiainstitute.org.au/climatedisas...

LIVE NOW: The Point Live with Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at @australiainstitute.org.au, is live now. All the day’s parliamentary events, live as it happens on The Point ➡️ https://theaus.in/3ZGJWYe

When even the Mathias Cormann-led OECD says the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing are a problem, you know Australia's housing market is really cooked. 🔥🏚️🏚️🔥 @grogsgamut.bsky.social @elinorjohnstonleek.bsky.social #auspol

“By its own cautious standards, the RBA should have waited at least another month before inflicting more pain on borrowers,” said Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at The Australia Institute. Read more: https://theaus.in/4tfVQWB

LIVE NOW: The Point Live with Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at @australiainstitute.org.au, is live now. All the day’s parliamentary events, live as it happens on The Point ➡️ https://theaus.in/45CSPpi 1w

New Australia Institute research shows Australian high schools are the most expensive in the OECD. "I can't see any policy case for taxpayers giving money to a school that can afford an air-conditioned equestrian arena." @richarddenniss.bsky.social #auspol

According to new Australia Institute research, the inequality between private and public education will continue to grow, and Australian students, along with the Australian community and economy, will suffer. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4rsPW2I

“The only priority of childcare providers should be the children in their care. They should not be distracted by the idea of keeping their shareholders happy.” Read more here: https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/how-to-fix-australias-broken-childcare-system-so-everybody-wins/

“In Australia, it’s perfectly legal to lie in a political ad. And thanks to taxpayer funding of election campaigns, you could be the one paying for the ad that lies to you," writes Bill Browne from The Australia Institute. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/4kn5u5S

MAGA is becoming more "battle-hardened" & less likely to disappear once Trump leaves office (whenever that may be). Don Watson joins @emmashortis.bsky.social to discuss the opposition to Trump & why Australia can’t avoid the rupture being brought about by the MAGA movement. 🎧 theaus.in/4afwmA3

“There’s no such thing as the ‘centre right’ and successful political parties need to focus on what voters want from candidates, not what candidates want to sell to voters,” writes Richard Denniss, co-CEO of The Australia Institute. Read the full piece on The Point: https://theaus.in/3M7L7wA

LIVE NOW: The Point Live with Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at @australiainstitute.org.au, is live now. All the day’s parliamentary events, live as it happens on The Point ➡️ https://theaus.in/3ZGJWYe

A reminder that gas is not a vital industry to Australia. As Polly Hemming explains, if anything, it costs the Australian economy. Some more gas myths debunked here: https://thepoint.com.au/factchecks/251111-does-the-gas-industry-really-support-215000-jobs

"If Australia was serious about investing in health and education, it would be really simple. "We would stop giving gas away for free and we'd transfer more money to the states to spend on health and education." - co-CEO Richard Denniss on FIVEAA Adelaide #auspol @richarddenniss.bsky.social

Multiple Australian artists have extended the country’s Grammy hot streak, with Amyl & The Sniffers, Tame Impala and RÜFÜS DU SOL each receiving nominations in Sunday’s awards – and Tame Impala taking out the award for Best Dance/Electronic Recording. Read more: https://theaus.in/3NJEwZZ

“Last year, Labor, Liberal and the Nationals voted together to dramatically increase taxpayer funding – to the extent that when the next election comes around, the taxpayer will be funding over half of the cost of major party election campaigns.” - Bill Browne Read more: https://theaus.in/45Lcjbb

“We are about to head back into parliament – and the sitting year proper – with one of the major parties again focused on itself, and the other doing all it can to ensure the focus remains on its rivals,” writes @amyremeikis.bsky.social. Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/4tct6Ol

“You would have thought that the government would have learnt from the disgusting Robodebt saga. But again and again we see the government going back to shoddy automation systems,” writes Matt Grudnoff, Senior Economist at The Australia Institute. Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/4kmAHGb