Mates’ rates and why Australia can’t have nice things
Follow The Money29 Okt 2025

Mates’ rates and why Australia can’t have nice things

Australia’s natural environment is in crisis and its wealth is disappearing into the hands of a few powerful fossil fuel companies – but it doesn’t have to be this way.

On this episode of Follow the Money, Rod Campbell and Ebony Bennett discuss the lack of political will to properly protect the natural environment, a proposal for a 25% gas export tax to replace the Petroleum Resources Rent Tax, and new research showing that Adani cost Queenslanders hundreds of millions of dollars by selling coal at mates’ rates.

Strong environment laws stop new coal and gas. You can sign our petition calling on the Australian Government to genuinely strengthen Australia’s environment laws.

Guest: Rod Campbell, Research Director, the Australia Institute // @rodcampbell

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

Show notes:

Can Albanese claim ‘success’ with Trump? Beyond the banter, the vague commitments should be viewed with scepticism by Emma Shortis, The Conversation (October 2025)

Environment minister could approve projects at odds with nature laws under Labor overhaul by Dan Jervis-Bardy and Adam Morton, Guardian Australia (October 2025)

Adani selling coal to India at mates rates, costing Queenslanders $400 million, the Australia Institute (October 2025)

Progressive patriotism: ACTU’s 25% gas export tax should replace broken PRRT, the Australia Institute (October 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.

Support Follow the Money: https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Avsnitt(413)

AUKUS and Australian sovereignty with Doug Cameron

AUKUS and Australian sovereignty with Doug Cameron

Former Senator Doug Cameron calls on the federal government to reject “warmongering” and abandon the AUKUS deal. On this episode of Follow the Money, former Labor Senator for New South Wales Doug Came...

17 Sep 202539min

No right to know?

No right to know?

The government’s proposed changes to freedom of information laws represent a “serious attack” on Australia’s democracy, according to former Senator Rex Patrick. On this episode of Follow the Money, tr...

10 Sep 202533min

Will AI kill traditional media?

Will AI kill traditional media?

With large language models threatening to swamp Australia’s traditional media, a little bit of government funding could go a long way to protect public interest journalism. On this episode of Follow t...

3 Sep 202532min

Big Gas' greed is killing Australian manufacturers

Big Gas' greed is killing Australian manufacturers

The colossal price rises on the east coast, brought on by excessive gas exports, have been a disaster for Australian manufacturers and households. On this episode of Follow the Money, manufacturing in...

27 Aug 202538min

Tax the wealthiest to make Australia more productive

Tax the wealthiest to make Australia more productive

The Prime Minister hosed down expectations ahead of the economic roundtable, but a serious reform package must include changes to tax policy. On this episode of Follow the Money, Senior Economist Matt...

20 Aug 202525min

How political pragmatism is killing us with Richard Denniss

How political pragmatism is killing us with Richard Denniss

The search for the “sensible centre” in Australia politics is pointless and flies in the face of evidence, says Richard Denniss. On this episode of Follow the Money, Richard Denniss joins Ebony Bennet...

13 Aug 202534min

Australians march for Palestine as Trump shoots the messenger

Australians march for Palestine as Trump shoots the messenger

From Gaza to AUKUS, pressure for change is building on Australian foreign policy. On this special crossover episode of Follow the Money and After America, Dr Emma Shortis joins Glenn Connley to discu...

4 Aug 202530min

Australia's gun laws aren't as strong as you think

Australia's gun laws aren't as strong as you think

Nearly three decades after the Port Arthur massacre, there are more guns than ever before in Australia and there is still no national firearms register. On this episode of Follow the Money, Alice Grun...

30 Juli 202521min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

aftonbladet-krim
svenska-fall
p3-krim
blenda-2
flashback-forever
rss-sanning-konsekvens
rss-krimstad
aftonbladet-daily
politiken
motiv
rss-vad-fan-hande
rss-krimreportrarna
rss-flodet
spar
svd-ledarredaktionen
rss-frandfors-horna
dagens-eko
olyckan-inifran
rss-aftonbladet-krim
grans