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What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss

The Australia Institute

What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss cuts through the spin to explain the political and economic decisions shaping the lives of everyday Australians.

Richard connects the dots between policy and politics with sharp analysis. By getting straight to the point, Richard helps listeners understand how democracy works and why it matters.

Presented by the Australia Institute.

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  • 7 episodes
  • Updated Monday

Episodes7

Newest first
  • Monday · 15 min

    What's the point of the Reserve Bank of Australia?

    On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss explains the purpose of the Reserve Bank of Australia and whether it's fulfilling that role. Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang Climate Integrity Summit 2026 tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/sydney-climate-integrity-summit-2026?c=website Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble. 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support What's the Point? & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4bkeiGc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 27 · 16 min

    What’s the point of talking about nuclear energy?

    On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss explains the “fake fight” over nuclear power in Australia and how the gas industry benefits from the nuclear distraction. This episode was recorded on Friday 17 July. Pre-order More Fool Me: How the gas industry tricked Australia by Richard Denniss, the latest Vantage Point essay from Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘FOOLME’ on a four-edition Vantage Point subscription to receive a free copy of Richard’s book, Econobabble. Read more on The Point. Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang Climate Integrity Summit 2026, the Australia Institute Fake fight over nuclear a distraction from real climate issues, the Australia Institute (February 2025) 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support What's the Point? & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4bkeiGc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 20 · 17 min

    What's the point of offsets?

    On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss discusses how the Federal Government’s new carbon credits method for ‘protecting’ native forests will allow fossil fuel companies to greenwash their climate pollution and expand coal and gas production. This episode was recorded on Friday 10 July. Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang Climate Integrity Summit 2026 tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/sydney-climate-integrity-summit-2026?c=website The Point: https://thepoint.com.au/ Support What's the Point? & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4bkeiGc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 13 · 21 min

    What's the point of a gas exports tax?

    On this episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss discusses how global gas industry has pulled off the greatest con in Australia’s history, and why Australians are living with the consequences. He spells out the simple steps we need to take to fix it.  This episode was recorded on Friday 10 July. Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang Plebiscite petition: https://gas-plebiscite.australiainstitute.org.au/ More Fool Me (Vantage Point Issue 6) pre-order: https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/more-fool-me-vantage-point-issue-6 Climate Integrity Summit 2026 tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/sydney-climate-integrity-summit-2026?c=website The Point: https://thepoint.com.au/ Support What's the Point? & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4bkeiGc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • July 6 · 15 min

    What’s the point of housing reform?

    On the second episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss discusses the government’s long-overdue changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax and the ongoing media hysteria around Australia’s housing market. This episode was recorded on Friday 3 July. Host: Richard Denniss, co-Chief Executive Officer, the Australia Institute // @richarddenniss Host: Anna Chang, Managing Editor, The Point // @annachang Show notes: The Wrap: After a decades-long fight, housing tax reform becomes reality by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (July 2026) 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 podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au. Subscribe to What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your favourite podcasts. Support What's the Point? & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4bkeiGc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • June 29 · 16 min

    What’s the Point of One Nation?

    On the first episode of What’s the Point?, Richard Denniss discusses the reasons behind One Nation grabbing the headlines, why it is highly unlikely Pauline Hanson will be Prime Minister after the next election and what the current Prime Minister can do to turn things around for Labor. Host: Dr Richard Denniss, Co-CEO, The Australia Institute Support What's the Point? & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4bkeiGc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  • June 24 · 43 sec

    Introducing What's the Point? with Richard Denniss

    Episode 1 coming on June 29! What’s the Point? with Richard Denniss cuts through the spin to explain the political and economic decisions shaping the lives of everyday Australians. Richard connects the dots between policy and politics with sharp analysis. By getting straight to the point, Richard helps listeners understand how democracy works and why it matters. Presented by the Australia Institute. Support What's the Point? & the research powerful interests fear: https://theaus.in/4bkeiGc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.