Dr Richard Denniss
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richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss
@richarddenniss.bsky.social
11K followers 750 following 460 posts

Executive Director at The Australia Institute

Economist, Author of books and writer of columns often for Saturday Paper, The Monthly & The New Daily (previously The Guardian, Australian Financial Review)

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Richard Denniss is an Australian economist, author and public policy commentator, who is the Executive Director of The Australia Institute. and a former Associate Professor in the Crawford School of Public Policy at the Australian National University in Canberra. .. more

Economics 33%
Political science 22%
Posts Replies Media Videos

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 10h
Australia’s democracy has changed radically since 1975.

So many more women in parliament, but less o in the Colaition

So many more minor party and independent MPs

And each MP now has so many more constituents…

Great article/graphs from @browne90.bsky.social

thepoint.com.au/off-the-char...
How Australian democracy has changed since 1975, in six charts
50 years on from the Dismissal, how has Australian democracy changed? Here are six ways that Australian politics looks very different to when Gough Whitlam was PM in November 1975.
thepoint.com.au

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 13h
“Whitlam knew the role of government and how to wield it. But he also knew the role of leadership. Of not allowing mealy mouthed vested interests to narrow the debate window to a reflective strip”

Great piece on @thepointau.bsky.social by @amyremeikis.bsky.social

thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Whitlam’s legacy is one of possibility and hope. He showed us what a brave, grown up Australia could look like.
Whitlam showed us what a brave, grown up Australia could look like.  And 50 years later, you have to wonder – is it even possible to make Australia brave again?
thepoint.com.au

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 19h
This is probably the only story you will read about Gough’s left nut today…beautiful piece by Mike Bowers

thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
11th November 1975, a pivotal moment for Australian politics and me
The point.com.au
thepoint.com.au

Reposted by Karen O’Leary

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 1d
Like ‘housing affordability’ ‘net zero’ has become one of those meaningless political sayings

Labors support for net zero hasn’t stopped them supporting new coal or gas or from spending billions on fossil fuel subsidies

My latest column on @thepointau.bsky.social

thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Net Zero hides a truth the mining giants understand perfectly: nothing has to change
The point.com.au
thepoint.com.au

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 1d
Think Vice Chancellor’s get paid to much?

And that students pay too much to go to universities?

Come along to hear the VC of Uni Western Sydney’s George Williams talk about his new essay ‘Aiming Higher’ with local MP Andrew Charlton - more details below
nb.australiainstitute.org.au/aiming_higher
Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia's future
nb.australiainstitute.org.au

Reposted by Richard Denniss

euanritchie.bsky.social
Professor Euan Ritchie @euanritchie.bsky.social · 4d
What's currently wrong with @australianlabor.bsky.social's EPBC Act reform package & how can they make it fit for purpose?

@biodivcouncil.bsky.social has put together a detailed policy brief.

12 key concerns are discussed & solutions are provided.
biodiversitycouncil.org.au/resources/ge...
Getting the EPBC Act right | Biodiversity Council Australia
Our factsheet outlines the strengths, weaknesses, and recommended improvements to the Australian Government’s proposed environmental law reforms.
biodiversitycouncil.org.au

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 4d
So tackling climate change is an ‘environmental imperative’ but Labor has specifically ruled out putting a climate trigger in their proposed changes to our environmental laws…

Checks out
australia.theguardian.com Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 4d
Bowen urges world to unite on climate fight, declaring it an ‘environmental imperative’
Bowen urges world to unite on climate fight, declaring it an ‘environmental imperative’
Climate change minister endorses UK prime minister’s grim view on global climate action, saying net zero by 2050 policies are ‘bare minimum necessary’ * Australian Politics podcast: Why net zero is dividing parliament, with Chris Bowen * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Chris Bowen, the climate change and energy minister, has endorsed Keir Starmer’s grim assessment of the international consensus on limiting global temperature increases, insisting net zero emissions by 2050 policies represent the “bare minimum” needed to protect the globe. The UK prime minister told world leaders on Thursday at the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil that the “consensus is gone” on fighting climate change around the world, a decade after the landmark Paris agreement in 2015. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Richard Denniss

australia.theguardian.com
Guardian Australia @australia.theguardian.com · 4d
Bowen urges world to unite on climate fight, declaring it an ‘environmental imperative’
Bowen urges world to unite on climate fight, declaring it an ‘environmental imperative’
Climate change minister endorses UK prime minister’s grim view on global climate action, saying net zero by 2050 policies are ‘bare minimum necessary’ * Australian Politics podcast: Why net zero is dividing parliament, with Chris Bowen * Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Chris Bowen, the climate change and energy minister, has endorsed Keir Starmer’s grim assessment of the international consensus on limiting global temperature increases, insisting net zero emissions by 2050 policies represent the “bare minimum” needed to protect the globe. The UK prime minister told world leaders on Thursday at the Cop30 climate summit in Brazil that the “consensus is gone” on fighting climate change around the world, a decade after the landmark Paris agreement in 2015. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Richard Denniss

australiainstitute.org.au
The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 4d
A Deloitte report warns that natural gas could crowd out renewables undermining the WA Government’s claim that LNG exports support Asia’s clean energy transition.

“The report was kept secret…it cost taxpayers $400,000 and didn't support the Government’s claims.”

@richarddenniss.bsky.social #auspol

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 5d
No matter matter what individuals believe about climate change, one thing thats for certain is that their insurance company believes in it #climate

thepoint.com.au/news/251106-...
As the Coalition quarrels over net zero, insurance leader calls for genuine climate action
The CEO of the nation’s second biggest insurer, Suncorp, has told politicians it’s time to start taking climate change more seriously, especially when it comes to the types of houses we build – and wh...
thepoint.com.au

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 6d
And if you’d like to buy George’s latest essay, published by The Australia Institute, you can pre order here australiainstitute.org.au/store/aiming...
Aiming Higher: Universities and the future of Australian democracy (Vantage Point Issue 3) - Store - The Australia Institute
The time has come for a reckoning in the Australian higher education.
australiainstitute.org.au

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 6d
Universities have played a central role in democracies…but then we started trying to run them like businesses…Great piece by the VC of University of Western Sydney, Prof George Williams in @thepointau.bsky.social

thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
From culture wars to AI disruption, universities face a reckoning over their role in society
High fees, student dissatisfaction and repeated governance issues dominating the headlines have fuelled an intense political climate for universities. Well before President Donald Trump was re-elected...
thepoint.com.au

Reposted by Richard Denniss

australiainstitute.org.au
The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 6d
Since the mid 1990s, Norway has imposed a 56 per cent "special tax" for oil and gas companies, alongside a 22 per cent corporate tax rate.

Australia could learn a lesson from this and make companies pay their fair share for our natural resources.

@richarddenniss.bsky.social #auspol

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 6d
Renewables are so cheap o we can give them away for free in the middle of the day…fixing our grid will take time and is a big problem, but of all the problems we have, the cost of renewables is not even in the top 10 #climate

thepoint.com.au/news/251104-...
Households to get free electricity because of renewable generation
Renewables are the cheapest form of electricity generation, and this is being highlighted by the fact that soon electricity will be free for 3 hours a day.
thepoint.com.au

Reposted by Richard Denniss

australiainstitute.org.au
The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 6d
Despite the University of Newcastle's audited accounts showing a surplus of $61.3 million, the vice-chancellor says to focus on the unaudited figures that claim an 'underlying deficit.'

#auspol @richarddenniss.bsky.social

Reposted by Adrian Vickers

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 7d
Hooray…Its not just fossil fuel expansion where Australia leads the world…

thepoint.com.au/news/251104-...
Gambling means Australians are the biggest losers in the world
A bet on the horses today is the only time many Australians will gamble. But this doesn’t change the reality that, collectively, Australians are the biggest gamblers in the world, wagering a total $25...
thepoint.com.au

Reposted by Richard Denniss

australiainstitute.org.au
The Australia Institute @australiainstitute.org.au · 7d
"Shortages of food...combined with unreasonably high university fees, have become the reality of higher education today for many students."

Read an extract from Aiming Higher: Universities and Australia's future by Prof George Williams in the Sydney Morning Herald! #auspol

Reposted by Richard Denniss

davidshoebridge.bsky.social
Senator David Shoebridge @davidshoebridge.bsky.social · 7d
BREAKING: The Albanese Labor Government just joined with the Coalition to vote against an inquiry into AUKUS proposed by the Greens.

Reposted by Richard Denniss, Melissa Sweet

mon4kooyong.bsky.social
Dr Monique Ryan @mon4kooyong.bsky.social · 7d
Australia’s MRFF is sitting on billions of taxpayers’ dollars which was meant to be invested in world-leading, lifesaving health innovations.

Reposted by Euan G. Ritchie

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 7d
It wasnt our enviro laws that were too weak to protect the Skate or stop the North West Shelf, it was our Ministers.

Thats why Labor is trying to get the Coalition to help them water them down…to save Enviro Ministers the embarrassment of always saying yes #climate
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
It wasn’t the laws that were too weak to stop those projects, it was the ministers
The Prime Minister is betting that by 2028 people will forget the North West Shelf and EPBC backflips, but it would be a brave backbencher willing to make that same bet.
thepoint.com.au

Reposted by Richard Denniss

ebonybennett.bsky.social
Ebony Bennett @ebonybennett.bsky.social · 7d
"The fact the Greens want to stop native forest logging and the Nationals want to speed up land clearing is not proof that any legislation Labor drafts must fit in the “sensible centre.” - @richarddenniss.bsky.social
thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
It wasn’t the laws that were too weak to stop those projects, it was the ministers
The Prime Minister is betting that by 2028 people will forget the North West Shelf and EPBC backflips, but it would be a brave backbencher willing to make that same bet.
thepoint.com.au

Reposted by Richard Denniss

browne90.bsky.social
Bill Browne @browne90.bsky.social · 7d
The Senate is more powerful than prime ministers like to admit, and last week we saw why that matters --

If clash over govt secrecy escalates, Labor may inspire Libs, Nats to question Senate customs that benefit govt.

@thepointau.bsky.social live blog:

live.thepoint.com.au/2025/11/the-...
Australia Institute Live — Daily Updates
Stay updated with the latest from The Australia Institute.
live.thepoint.com.au

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 10d
Nope. You are making things up. Fuel excise goes into consolidated revenue and theres absolutely no link between road spending and fuel tax revenues. None. Nada. Your feelings don’t count, but facts matter.

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 10d
Hi Peter, sorry you’ve missed major parts of MMT but while i agree theres no short term tax constraint on government spending in a fully employed economy the only way to have a big increase in the size of the public sector is to shrink the private sector, & tax is by far the easiest way to do that

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 10d
You should take a look at the OECD, IMF and World Bank definitions of a subsidy. Facts matter :)

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 10d
thepoint.com.au/explainers/2...
Why does the winner of The Block get their prize tax-free but the Archibald winner doesn’t?
This year, the winners of The Block took home $520,000 in tax-free prize money. Meanwhile, the winner of the prestigious Miles Franklin Award paid at least a quarter of the $60,000 prize to the tax of...
thepoint.com.au

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 10d
Even the big iron ore miner, Fortecue, says its time to rein in Australia’s $10 billion per year expenditure on diesel fuel subsidies…imagine all the housing, renewables and cheap education we could have if we took #climate or tax policy seriously.

thepoint.com.au/news/251031-...
Fortescue: Fuel Tax Credit makes diesel 'artificially cheap', overhaul needed for climate
A Fortescue executive has called for a major overhaul of Australia’s $11 billion fuel tax credit scheme, arguing it undermines the nation’s climate goals by making diesel “artificially cheap”.
thepoint.com.au

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 11d
Yep. Also bizarre to exclude things like philanthropic revenue but not exclude any of the expenditures funded by philanthropy

Reposted by Catherine J. Frieman

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 11d
Governments have been crying poor to justify & conceal their priorities for decades…now some of our publicly owned universities are using the same neoliberal accounting tricks to claim they are in ‘crisis’ when they are hoarding records amounts of cash and shares

thepoint.com.au/opinions/251...
Governments and universities alike have perfected the art of crying poor to conceal wealth
The point.com.au
thepoint.com.au

richarddenniss.bsky.social
Dr Richard Denniss @richarddenniss.bsky.social · 11d
The main source of illegal guns in Australia isn’t 3D printers or imports, it’s thefts from Australian homes. And the more guns there are in our homes, the more guns get stolen…but decades after Howards gun reforms there is no national register of legal or stolen guns
thepoint.com.au/news/251031-...
Every four hours a gun is stolen in Australia: new research
Gun violence has been in Australian headlines regularly in recent months.
thepoint.com.au