Podcast appearances and mentions of ross gittins

This week our revered economics editor Ross Gittins wrote an essay for the Age and Sydney Morning Herald, in which he lamented the state of this election campaign in particular, and Australian politics in general. The essay was titled “They treat us like mugs”, and Ross did not miss with his critique of the timidity and cynicism of the two major parties’ campaigns. Gittins joins Jacqueline Maley in the studio, to talk through his searing critique. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week our revered economics editor Ross Gittins wrote an essay for the Age and Sydney Morning Herald, in which he lamented the state of this election campaign in particular, and Australian politics in general. The essay was titled “They treat us like mugs”, and Ross did not miss with his critique of the timidity and cynicism of the two major parties’ campaigns. Gittins joins Jacqueline Maley in the studio, to talk through his searing critique. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for February 26, 2025 is: ignoramus • ig-nuh-RAY-mus • noun An ignoramus is an utterly ignorant or stupid person. // I can't believe they let an ignoramus like that run the company. See the entry > Examples: "The alleged purpose of the [fee] increase was to discourage young people from taking courses that didn't lead to jobs where the demand for workers was great. Predictably, it didn't work. And only an ignoramus would regard an arts degree as of little value." — Ross Gittins, The Sydney (Australia) Morning Herald, 7 Aug. 2024 Did you know? Ignoramus is the title of a farce by George Ruggle (1575-1622) that was first produced in 1615. The title character, whose name in Latin literally means "we are ignorant of," is a lawyer who fancies himself to be quite clever but is actually foolish and ignorant. Ruggle may have been inspired in his choice of the name by a proceeding in the English judicial system: the term ignoramus was written on bills of indictment when the evidence presented seemed insufficient to justify prosecution. In these cases ignoramus indicated "we take no notice of (i.e., we do not recognize) this indictment." Such a reference would have been most appropriate for Ruggle's satire of the judiciary.

Conversations is bringing you a summer treat — a collection of Richard's most memorable guests through out the years. Ross Gittins is one of Australia's most popular newspaper columnists. For five decades, he has explained the inner workings of the Australian economy to readers in plain English through his three weekly columns in the Sydney Morning Herald.Ross Gittins is one of Australia's most popular newspaper columnists.For five decades, Ross has explained the inner workings of the Australian economy to readers in plain English through his three weekly columns in the Sydney Morning Herald.He's often contacted by readers who tell him he's helped them understand interest rates, negative gearing, and other facets of the economy that would have once been privy to only those in power.For Ross, his touchstone is his own early life story.His outlook on life was largely formed by his frugal, hard-working parents, who were Salvation Army officers who lived through the Great Depression.This episode of Conversations contains discussions about family, Australian history, journalism, economics, the depression, Salvation Army, religion, Christianity, politics, finance, writing, newspapers, editors, publishing, mortgages, interest rates, home ownership, investments, income, Australian society, baby boomers, young people, generational wealth, inheritance, negative gearing, flexible work, job market, women at work, employment, workplace, childcare, cost of living, real estate. 

Melbourne's Grand Prix is economically costly, but no one's talking about the carbon cost: "The Australian Grand Prix is here to stay, but at what cost?"; "Scientists struggle to explain ‘really weird' spike in world temperatures"; "I'll be dead before the worst of it, but I'm fearful for those who won't"; "Yes, nuclear's an option. But let there be no confusion about its flaws"; "Climate change threatens snow cover at ski destinations worldwide"; "Peter Dutton in standoff with state Liberal leaders over federal Coalition's nuclear plan"; "Q&A: Extreme Heat, Severe Storms Among Key Climate Challenges for Maryland's New Chief Resilience Officer"; "World's largest oil companies ‘way off track' on emissions goals, report finds"; "Companies Are Poised to Inject Millions of Tons of Carbon Underground. Will It Stay Put?"; "New York State Legislature Votes to Ban CO2 Fracking, Closing a Decade-Old Loophole in State Law"; "California's Climate Leaders Vow to Hold Fossil Fuel Companies to Account"; "Blocking Burning Man and Vandalizing Van Gogh: Climate Activists Are Done Playing Nice"; "‘Planting a tree is hope in action': the people regenerating urban habitats and growing community"; "In Deep Red Utah, Climate Concerns Are Now Motivating Candidates"; "These lakes are usually still frozen over. See how they look now."; "Heat index—how hot it feels—is rising faster than temperature"; "Climate quitting: the people leaving their fossil fuel jobs because of climate change"; "Amazon inks PPA to purchase electricity from UK wind farm"; "Women and girls suffer first when droughts hit poor and rural areas, says UN"; "The cars, the chargers or the customers? A look at what's behind cooling EV sales growth"; "300,000 more UK children fell into absolute poverty at height of cost of living crisis"; "Meet the man who has mapped Canada's net-zero carbon future"; "Almost a third of Australia's plant species may have to migrate south if we hit 3 degrees of warming"; "Cray industry fears seismic testing could hit Australia's lucrative Western Rock Lobster fishery"; "Sperm whales drop 'bubble of poo' off WA to prevent orca attack in rarely recorded encounter"; "Australians fear climate disasters will force them away from place they live, new survey finds"; "Fossil fuel firms could be tried in US for homicide over climate-related deaths, experts say"; "Phasing out fossil fuels a ‘fantasy,' oil executives say amid giant profits"; "Here's why there is no nuclear option for Australia to reach net zero"; "Euroviews: It's the Amazon's turn to lead on just transition, decriminalisation, and global climate action"; "Monster utes are symbolic of everything that's wrong with our world"; "Biden seeks to accelerate the EV transition in biggest climate move yet"; "Biden Administration Announces Rule Aimed at Expanding Electric Vehicles"; "Woodside mounts bid to stave off another investor climate revolt"; "Review ordered into green legal group over bid to halt Santos' gas project"; "Nuclear slow and expensive, renewables fast and cheap: Bowen slaps down Coalition “fantasy”"; "Environmental group's spy satellite to sniff out fugitive emissions". --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/robert-mclean/message

After a dispiriting stint as a Chartered Accountant, Ross found his perfect job: explaining the Australian economy, in plain English, to millions of people

Ross Gittins, the longest continuously serving columnist in The Sydney Morning Herald's 193-year history, is celebrating his 50th anniversary of writing for our mastheads, today. Over the last 50 years, he's covered 50 federal budgets, 19 federal elections, 11 prime ministers, and 16 treasurers. He's seen promises made and broken - and the economic reality of Australians change immeasurably. Ross was, after all, around to write about the time when the price of eggs, bread and petrol were all set by the state government. Today, he joins me to discuss how life has improved - and worsened - over the last 50 years, as a result of our economic policies. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ross Gittins, the longest continuously serving columnist in The Sydney Morning Herald's 193-year history, is celebrating his 50th anniversary of writing for our mastheads, today. Over the last 50 years, he's covered 50 federal budgets, 19 federal elections, 11 prime ministers, and 16 treasurers. He's seen promises made and broken - and the economic reality of Australians change immeasurably. Ross was, after all, around to write about the time when the price of eggs, bread and petrol were all set by the state government. Today, he joins me to discuss how life has improved - and worsened - over the last 50 years, as a result of our economic policies. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians haven't been shy in expressing their rage at Qantas, and the fact that the company made billions in profits over the last year, while it continues to leave them stranded and frustrated.  But, here's the thing. Qantas is far from the only big business behaving badly. The list has been growing for years now. Today, economics editor Ross Gittins, on how big business got out of control - and why it should be serving, rather than enslaving us.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australians haven't been shy in expressing their rage at Qantas, and the fact that the company made billions in profits over the last year, while it continues to leave them stranded and frustrated.  But, here's the thing. Qantas is far from the only big business behaving badly. The list has been growing for years now. Today, economics editor Ross Gittins, on how big business got out of control - and why it should be serving, rather than enslaving us.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jacques talks about what is happening with housing in Australia.Talking about a housing 'crisis' makes it sound as if there are times when things are 'normal' in the area of housing in Australia... but really, homelessness and unaffordability of housing have been with us for the last five decades, homelessness probably even for longer....Leaving the price of shelter to the market will necessarily lead to both homelessness and to unaffordable housing for an ever larger number of people - and neoliberalism certainly has driven that process to its present day excesses.Jacques looks at different types of housing in Australia,  - but can there be solutions as long as shelter is treated as as an income-generating, capitalist asset, rather than a place to live?Referenceshttps://apo.org.au/node/323124?utm_source=APO+Subscribers&utm_campaign=99d44fbbd3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_06_18_11_19&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-99d44fbbd3-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D&mc_cid=99d44fbbd3&mc_eid=0b782f7d45The Australia Institute (https://australiainstitute.org.au/) and Per Capita (https://percapita.org.au/) are probably the only exceptions to the conceptual ‘stuckness' of other so-called Think Tanks… and Michael Pascoe and Alan Kohler in the New Daily (https://thenewdaily.com.au/) fearlessly calling out the obstinate merry-go-round…Ross Gittins in the Saturday Age (17/09/22) Housing Dream has become a NightmareRoss Gittins in the Saturday Age (03/06/23) Try building where we want to live

Jennifer and Jacques talk about three ways that class war is being waged through 'systemic collusion' (between people, corporations, government, media and other parties benefitting most from the system). Their three examples are superannuation, inflation + wage depression, and the business of gambling.While attempts to more equally distribute our common wealth are decried by conservatives as 'class warfare', the best reply comes from one of the richest men in the world, Warren Buffet: 'There's class warfare all right, but it's my class, the rich class, that's making war, and we're winning'.ReferencesJonathon Barrett (2023) 'Qantas accused of ‘ripping off' customers after posting record $1.4bn half-year profit', The Guardian, 23/2/23.Ross Gittins (2023) 'No tears for "self-funded" retirees', The Age, 1/3/23.Ross Gittins (2023)  'Lowe's secret inflation fear: big companies' price-setting power'. First published in the Sydney Morning Herald, 20/2/23.Amy Remeikis (2023) ‘An economic fairytale': Australia's inflation being driven by company profits and not wages, analysis finds. The Guardian, 24/2/23.James Robertson (2023) 'Dutton ready to fight for the super wealthy – the 0.005 per cent of Australians',The New Daily, 21/02/23.Mike Seccombe (2023) 'The true drivers of the cost-of-living-crisis', The Saturday Paper, 25/2/23.Jennifer Borrell & Jacques Boulet (2002) ‘Learning from history: How governments and markets include addiction in their strategies for domination'. Paper presented at the National Association for Gambling Studies (NAGS) National Conference. 

Last night, Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered the Albanese government's first budget and gave us our first real insight into how he plans to manage the Australian economy.  But the budget papers run into the thousands of pages and unless you're a massive fiscal nerd, you're probably unlikely to read them.  So, today on Please Explain, economics editor Ross Gittins and political and international editor Peter Hartcher join the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, Bevan Shields, to answer your questions.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last night, Treasurer Jim Chalmers delivered the Albanese government's first budget and gave us our first real insight into how he plans to manage the Australian economy.  But the budget papers run into the thousands of pages and unless you're a massive fiscal nerd, you're probably unlikely to read them.  So, today on Please Explain, economics editor Ross Gittins and political and international editor Peter Hartcher join the editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, Bevan Shields, to answer your questions.Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I caught up with Cameron as he republishes his book from 2017 Game of Mates: How favours bleed the nation as Rigged “How Networks Of Powerful Mates Rip Off Everyday Australians”. This book will open your eyes to how Australia really works. It’s not good news, but you need to know it.’ – Ross Gittins … Continue reading "Inside The Tent: How Power Really Works… With Cameron Murray [Podcast]"

COVID prompted discussion about how we reconcile economic priorities with our collective mental health and wellbeing. Why can't we have both? Should we broaden our focus past economic growth and the simplistic notion that ‘the economy comes first' to include the ‘mental wealth' of our nation. What would that even mean? How would it help? How would you measure it? SMH Economics Editor Ross Gittins joins us to discuss. If you have any questions or comments email Ian and James at mindingyourmind2@gmail.com . Let them know any other topics you'd like them to cover. To find out more about depression and support services you can contact Head to Health at www.headtohealth.gov.au Beyond Blue at www.beyondblue.org.au , Lifeline at www.lifeline.org.au or on 13 11 14 and www.headspace.org.au. Thanks to Future Generation Global

With more than half of Australians now in lockdown, the economic scars of this crisis are beginning to show. Economists are debating exactly how big the hit to economic output and jobs will be in the September quarter and, indeed, if lockdowns continue into the December quarter, whether it will be appropriate to pull out the dreaded “r” word again: recession. Today on Please Explain, economics editor Ross Gittins joins Jess Irvine to discuss the adequacy of support for people whose incomes have been affected by COVID-19. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With more than half of Australians now in lockdown, the economic scars of this crisis are beginning to show. Economists are debating exactly how big the hit to economic output and jobs will be in the September quarter and, indeed, if lockdowns continue into the December quarter, whether it will be appropriate to pull out the dreaded “r” word again: recession. Today on Please Explain, economics editor Ross Gittins joins Jess Irvine to discuss the adequacy of support for people whose incomes have been affected by COVID-19. Subscribe to The Age & SMH: https://subscribe.smh.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael is joined by Ross Gittins, Economics Editor with The Sydney Morning Herald, to discuss his pessimism that the likelihood of the aged care royal commission’s report leading to much better treatment of our elderly has faded.   ‘Within a day or two, Scott Morrison and his Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, made it known they had “little appetite” for the commission’s plan to use an “aged care improvement levy” of 1 per cent of taxable income to cover the considerable cost of the reforms it proposed,’ writes Mr Gittins.   ‘Morrison wants to be seen as delivering lower – not higher – taxes. I suspect the pair have realised that announcing an increase in tax on all income earners wouldn’t fit well with the costly third stage of their tax cuts, due in 2024, which will go mainly to high income-earners.’ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ross Gittins, Economics Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald, has seen both sides of three recessions. This one is the fourth he's worked through. So why is this one “completely different” and why does this experienced commentator say it will it be harder to get out of? Listen in as Ross and host Ginger Gorman discuss the ins and outs of our struggling economy.

Ross Gittins, Economics Editor for the Sydney Morning Herald, has seen both sides of three recessions. This one is the fourth he’s worked through. So why is this one “completely different” and why does this experienced commentator say it will it be harder to get out of? Listen in as Ross and host Ginger Gorman discuss the ins and outs of our struggling economy.

The market capitalisation of the four major banks jumped $31 billion in just two days, yet the share market fell yesterday. A wild ride for traders. Also today: Nurses, teachers and firefighters in NSW are told they are not getting a pay rise. David Jones’ fortunes go from bad to worse And who’s richer? Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg or legendary investor Warren Buffet? Plus, an interview with Ross Gittins, a doyen of economics in Australia. He explains how the employment market works and why it matters.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Please Explain, Peter Hartcher, Ross Gittins and David Crowe rate the Government's performance at this year's SMH Live: 2019 Year in Review Federal Politics panel. Become a subscriber Our supporters power our newsrooms and are critical for the sustainability of news coverage. Becoming a subscriber also gets you exclusive behind-the-scenes content and invitations to special events. Click on the links to subscribe to The Age or The Sydney Morning Herald.

The Australian economy is growing slowly, with people not opening their purses and businesses uncertain about the future. The Reserve Bank has cut interest rates three times this year - the official cash rate is currently at a historic low of 0.75%. Many are arguing monetary policy has run its course, and fiscal stimulus is needed. This week’s Essential poll shows voters tend to think so as well, with 56% agreeing that stimulating the economy should be prioritised over getting back to budget surplus. The Morrison government, however, is reluctant to do anything impinging on the projected surplus, which has become a political icon for it. How long can the government maintain this position if the growth numbers don’t improve? And does action need to be taken now? Joining Michelle Grattan to talk about these issues is Ross Gittins, economics editor of the Sydney Morning Herald. Additional audio: A List of Ways to Die, Lee Rosevere, from Free Music Archive. Image: AAP/ Mick Tsikas

Economic growth is stagnating, hitting up against a range of limits. Last week's news that GDP growth in Australia is at its lowest since the GFC, with interest rates already at an unprecedented low of 1% (they are negative in many places around the world), emphasises what is increasingly apparent to people around the world – the old model isn't working, and it's not coming back. So what's the future of the growth-based system, and how do we transition to a new model of work, business and economics, while avoiding collapse? Around 300 people filled the Greenhouse in Melbourne, Australia, at the 2016 National Sustainable Living Festival, with a highly credentialed panel exploring these questions. While the conversation took place a few years ago, its relevance and importance only seem to heighten. You'll hear from: - Jan Owen AM, CEO of the Foundation for Young Australians, the Inaugural Australian Financial Review/Westpac Woman of Influence 2012, and former director for the Australian National Development Index (ANDI). - Miriam Lyons, a campaigns director for the prominent progressive advocacy network GetUp!, co-author of Governomics, and previously the founding CEO of the Centre for Policy Development. - Ian Dunlop, formerly an international oil, gas and coal industry executive, chairman of the Australian Coal Association and CEO of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is a director of Australia21 and a Member of the Club of Rome. Each panellist speaks for 10 minutes, leading off with a little story on how they came to do what they do. Then we're into another powerful Q&A with the capacity audience (featuring in a special extra to this podcast). In the words of Ross Gittins, celebrated economics writer and Economics Editor at the Sydney Morning Herald: "The beginning of economic wisdom is to understand that the advanced economies – including ours – have stopped working the way they used to and won't be returning to the old normal." So what is the future of the growth-based economic system? Especially in the context of planetary limits, resource constraints, rising inequality, increased automation, increasing mental illness, and worsening extinction and climate crises. What's an economy even for? And how can we recreate it for the better, and quickly? Thanks to Chris Grose from Scout Films for this recording, and the team at the Understandascope who supported this event. The Understandascope builds on the legacy of the late Professor Frank Fisher. An interim website can be found at https://www.regennarration.com/understandascope. Music: The System, by the Public Opinion Afro Orchestra Get more: Listen to the special extra - https://www.regennarration.com/episodes/045-economic-growth-to-save-the-planet Ian Dunlop - https://www.breakthroughonline.org.au/contributors Miriam Lyons - https://www.getup.org.au/media# Jan Owen AM - https://www.fya.org.au/author/jan-owen-am/ Title slide pic: as used by the National Sustainable Living Festival for this event. Join us at our first live conversation event in Perth, on how we Arrive at Wellbeing Economy, Monday the 23rd of September at The Platform - www.regennarration.com/events/trebeck2019 Say hello & send us your comments by text or audio - www.regennarration.com/story Thanks to our community of listeners and partners for making each episode possible. Please consider supporting the podcast by donating or becoming a podcast partner at www.regennarration.com/support. Thanks for listening!

Small Biz Matters – a half hour program each week where you can work ON your business rather than IN it.with Alexi Boyd from Boyd Office Management ServicesDate: 30 April 2019 Whilst the economy isn’t in the driver’s seat when it comes to controlling  our business its a factor we should all have at the back of our minds. Why? Because although we Small Businesses  are the “engine room” of the economy the decisions made by the Reserve Bank of Australia mean they’re the ones with their hands on the steering wheel. Aside from a couple of units of Ross Gittins inspired Economics at school, TAFE or Uni degrees from which we remember not much, our ongoing education around the economic drivers is non-existent. But we should have our finger on that pulse and really understand the affects their actions have on our small businesses. Here today to share with us their expertise is Scott Shuttleworth, Founder and Portfolio Manager at Vega Capital. His background in economic analysis perfectly positions Scott to help us understand the butterfly effect the RBA’s decisions, actions and even words has on our individual businesses. Welcome to the show Scott. What economic factors have the biggest impact on your business? Firstly, Business centric factors (competition levels, your offerings, your team, your financial acumen) which are MUCH more important than economic indicators Economic indicators factor about a much smaller amount than the way you RUN the business Other counctrie 9:17am WHat does the RBA do? 9:20am What is the RBA and how does the RBA control the economy? They control consumer & business patterns in a way they believe supports the long term prosperity of the nation. What’s their main factors they use to control & manipulate the economy? Cash rate Talking about it…. What is the RBA doing when it manipulates the cash rate? Raising = conditions are good, consumers spending more on average – great for consumer based businesses but the flow on effect occurs also Cutting – weakness, marginal improvement will happen in 12 months as this is how long it takes to Roughly a 12 month indicator How does it impact the currency? g. 1.5% = the value of AUD in the bank If our cash rate increases and other currencies like the USD remains steady then our dollar is more attractive. At the moment the US cash rate is 2.25 – 2.5% so is generally more attractive (mention the AUD USD currency pair) Investors will “park” funds in a particular country to earn higher rates and then move dollars around as cash rates change If the cash rate goes up or gives a “glowing report” of the economy its an indication that the economy is improving so more investors will buy AUD in view to invest here as the economy is on the rise. The reverse is also true. More investment in the country = more jobs, business improvement through increased capital, more innovation leading to more tax revenue. Improvement in economy equates to controlled inventory, cater your resources to the demand which is improving if rates are going up, and the opposite is true for rate cuts. What about the Unemployment rate? Less customers since they have less money to spend and therefore a downturn in business. Lower unemployment rate means its more difficult to find employees and your wage costs might go up! High wage costs should always be justified, by the way. Economic theory around cash rate and employment Theory is lowering the cash rate = higher spending leading to greater employment Learning from the past 10 years of expanding economy would suggest a turn towards recession. Typically business increases their debt when economy is good putting them in a vulnerable position. Lots of businesses use their family home as an asset to borrow against. What’s the bank going to take? The asset. Banks could take your assets (and even if you’re allowed to trade through to better times you’ll still lose those assets and therefore your business in the long term) You don’t want to go into a recession with a lot of business (or personal debt) because although the cash rate will fall you’ll be unable to repay the loan due to a likely downturn of your business. To find out more go to their website: https://vegacapital.net

As power bills soar, Aussie households are on the hunt for savings. In this week's episode of It All Adds Up - the final in this series - the team gather around the Sydney Morning Herald's 'kitchen table' to share some of their top home finance tips. Join hosts Jess Irvine and Matt Wade, along with special guests Economics Editor Ross Gittins, Workplace Editor Anna Patty, and Money Editor Caitlin Fitzsimmons as they sit down to give the good oil on ways to potentially save money. As always, you can let us know your thoughts at italladdsup@fairfaxmedia.com.au or tweet using the hashtag #italladdsup.

Few subjects stir consumer passions like rising electricity bills. With power prices more than doubling after inflation over the past 10 years, that’s hardly surprising. In this episode, the team dissects what has caused the surge in electricity costs. Hosts Jessica Irvine and Matt Wade are joined by two of Australia's leading commentators – economics editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, Ross Gittins, and economics editor of The Age, Peter Martin – to investigate. They explain how each of the three main components your electricity bill have put upward pressure on prices: electricity generation, the cost of the poles and wires and the margins electricity retailers are able to charge.  Stay tuned for the regular bad economics segment when Ross Gittins puts the boot into politicians for getting their "economics around the wrong way" when they talk about the cost of living. Got a question of your own? Email us at italladdsup@fairfaxmedia.com.au, tweet using the hashtag #italladdsup or call the podcast hotline on 02 9282 1632 to leave a message.

The team relinquish the reins and let podcast listeners set the topics for discussion. Join Jess Irvine, Matt Wade and Ross Gittins as they respond to listener questions on housing bubbles, rent price spikes, happiness, private health insurance, payroll tax, ETFs and The Wiggles. Make sure to stay tuned for this week’s Bad Economics segment in which Ross Gittins learns of Tinderonomics:  “It’s got something to do with lighting fires?”. Got a question of your own? Email us at italladdsup@fairfaxmedia.com.au, tweet using the hashtag #italladdsup or call the podcast hotline on 02 9282 1632 to leave a message.

This week the All Adds Up team peers inside the kitchen, and even the bedroom, to investigate the economics of households and families. Hosts Jessica Irvine and Matt Wade are joined by two of Australia’s leading commentators – economics editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, Ross Gittins, and economics editor of The Age, Peter Martin – to unpack what economists have discovered about family behaviour and its impact on our society and economy. Find out where Australia’s laziest men can be found, what “time use surveys” have unearthed about what we do all day and why some economists question the massive sums governments spend on childcare. The team also looks at what domestic chores are being outsourced as couples manage the daily juggle and how that outsourcing trend has given rise to a mighty industry providing all manner of households services. Don’t miss our regular segment “Bad Economics” where Ross Gittins explains why using the word “bubble” to describe rising prices in property and share markets can be very misleading.

Jobs, jobs, jobs. Is it time to ask for a payrise? Why have wages growth sunk to record lows? Should we worry about the rise of part-time work? And are robots stealing our jobs? This week we delve into the world of work. Economics Editor Ross Gittins dissect recent commentary from the Reserve Bank governor Phillip Lowe. And we hear from Workplace Editor, Anna Patty, with a special report on youth unemployment. Our regular Bad Economics segment takes a swipe at ‘economic modelling’.

The “Happy Economist” aka Ross Gittins joins us to share the secrets of not just a happy life, but a satisfying one. We discuss why GDP is such a poor measure of social progress and attempts to replace it. Money editor Caitlin Fitzsimmons shares her three tips on how best to spend your money to maximise happiness. Matt and Jess let their statistical freak flags fly with a rousing discussion of the myriad indexes which attempt to measure happiness. We discover who the happiest people are, where they live and how old they are. Jess books Matt a holiday to Norway. And make sure you stay tuned for the Karate Kid metaphor in this week’s “Bad Economics” segment on sharemarket “​wipe outs”.​

Do you give a Gonski? In this episode the team unpacks the debate raging about education to uncover what really needs to be done to improve our schools and universities. Hosts Jess Irvine and Matt Wade are joined by two of Australia’s leading economics commentators, the Sydney Morning Herald’s Ross Gittins and The Age’s Peter Martin to give their verdict on Malcolm Turnbull's Gonski 2.0 reforms, which have passed through parliament largely unscathed. Cabinet minister, Christopher Pyne, hailed the legislation as "the most significant reform to school education in Australia's history". But will the changes live up to the hype? We also unpick the government’s proposed reforms to the university sector.

We dive straight into the national controversy over skyrocketing property prices and declining housing affordability. Avocado jokes abound, as Economics Editor Ross Gittins defends home ownership as a "basic Australian right". Money editor Caitlin Fitzsimmons has a word of advice for millennials saving for a home deposit. And play along at home as we mark Treasurer Scott Morrison’s homework on housing affordability released in the recent federal budget. Stay tuned for the first of our “Bad Economics” segments on all those claims of “record spending” – do they really stack up?

Our crack team of economics experts help you understand the things that affect your job, your mortgage and your family budget. Join Jess Irvine, Matt Wade, Ross Gittins and other Fairfax Media journalists for a dose of economic realism - and a dash of politics, too.

A Britain isolated. A US ridiculed. An Australia divided. Politics is taking the world to a very ugly place. Still, lots for Balls Radio to make fun of.RUNNING ORDER00:00 Introduction01:57 Lies about UK’s exponential migration10:11 That £350million figure and other lies22:14 Ross Gittins on the money on government spending26:00 Trump’s big win – towards the apocalypse36:59 Obama could be sued under US toilet fixation 40:34 Australian election rebate – more painful than constipation44:39 Coal mine says climate change drained Thirlmere Lakes44:30 New Zealand could lose nuclear free status50:10 New Zealand wins race back to surplus52:55 Mummified Maoris head home en-masse55:36 Kiwi could die waiting to go home58:12 New Zealand fishing patrolled by fishermen1:01:44 What’s the Big Idea – improving dress standards1:13:02 Tony Blair calls Jeremy Corbyn dangerous1:16:41 Bomb scare in a nation on high alert1:18:13 Lightning strikes a new threat to Europeans1:22:17 Restauranteur in prison over nuts1:23:49 Thomas Becket’s elbow makes it home1:25:50 The unfinished Harmony of the Seas1:29:23 Romanians say Peckham car park better than home1:36:32 US Airport Security Chief sacked over long queues1:43:29 Baseball hero’s family to sue over tobacco chewing

Ross Gittins is an Australian institution: he's been writing economics columns for Fairfax for 40 years and has had a ringside seat to 40 budgets, 16 federal elections, and the coming and going of 13 treasurers and 8 Prime Ministers. Here he speaks to Simon Smart about his memoir, Gittins: A Life among Budgets, Bulldust, and Bastardry. Among other things, they cover the seismic changes he's seen happen in Australian politics and society, the enduring influence his Salvation Army upbringing has had on him, and what the future of journalism might - and should - look like.

As the dust settles on this year's federal budget, the Fifth Estate turns its eye to matters economic with Ross Gittins, economics editor of the Sydney Morning Herald, and public policy experts Miriam Lyons and Ian McAuley. While the Federal Government expects to spend more in 2015 than at the height of the global financial crisis, it appears that well-funded health and higher education are inching further out of reach – not to mention an economy that addresses climate change or the growing divide between rich and poor. Must the ‘path back to surplus' entail a leaner, meaner government? Doesn't public sector involvement make sound economics? What is the role of government in Australia today? Join Sally Warhaft and guests as they illuminate the complexities and contradictions of the modern economy – and its effects on our daily lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney Morning Herald economics editor Ross Gittins talks to Simon Smart about the importance of relationships in economic policy.

Renowned economics writer Ross Gittins gives his thoughts on financial crisis, greed and the good life.