The Bloomberg Australia Podcast

‘Egregious and Inexplicable’: KPMG’s Day of Reckoning 25.06.2026 13min

KPMG Australia is facing its biggest crisis in years after allegations that confidential client information was misused to help win lucrative audit contracts. In this episode, Amy Bainbridge talks to finance reporter Richard Henderson about what emerged from an explosive parliamentary hearing, and why more senior executives are stepping down. We also examine the scandal’s broader implications for the consulting industry, investors and corporate Australia. Why has so little changed since PwC's own confidentiality scandal – and are the industry's rules fit for purpose?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why This Giant Investor Thinks the RBA’s Next Move is a Rate Cut 18.06.2026 14min

Australian mortgage holders got some relief this week after the Reserve Bank left interest rates unchanged, pausing after three consecutive hikes. But has the central bank finished tightening? And what does the outlook for inflation, growth and global risks mean for investors? On this week's podcast, Chris Bourke speaks with Adam Bowe, Australian head of portfolio management at global investment giant Pimco. Bowe explains why Pimco believes the RBA has likely done enough, why the next move in rates is more likely to be down than up, and why Australian bonds are among the most attractive opportunities in global fixed income markets today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could the SpaceX IPO Make Elon Musk the World’s First Trillionaire? 10.06.2026 13min

SpaceX is finally heading to the stock market in what could become the biggest IPO in history. The Elon Musk-founded company is seeking a valuation of around $1.75 trillion, a debut that could make Musk the world’s first trillionaire and test investor appetite for one of the most ambitious businesses ever brought to public markets. On this episode, host Chris Bourke speaks with New York-based IPO reporter Bailey Lipschultz about the excitement gripping Wall Street, the risks behind SpaceX’s eye-watering valuation, and what the deal could mean for the next wave of AI listings from OpenAI and Anthropic. Is this the start of a new era for markets – or the ultimate test of the Musk premium?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What One Nation’s Rise Means for Australian Politics 04.06.2026 16min

Fresh polling has delivered one of the biggest political shocks in decades: Pauline Hanson’s One Nation is now Australia’s most popular party, overtaking Labor and the Coalition on primary vote. The surge comes amid growing voter frustration over cost-of-living pressures, higher interest rates and a budget that many Australians feel has done little to ease household strain. On this episode, Rebecca Jones speaks with Bloomberg Economy and Government Editor Michael Heath about what’s driving One Nation’s rise, whether it reflects a broader shift in Australian politics, and what it means for Labor and the Coalition. Is this a temporary protest vote, or the beginning of a fundamental political realignment?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When a Housing Bubble Bursts: A Warning from Across the Ditch 28.05.2026 15min

New Zealand’s housing boom once looked unstoppable. Now prices are falling sharply, construction firms are collapsing and younger buyers are questioning whether property is still the safest path to wealth. On this week’s podcast, Chris Bourke speaks with Wellington Bureau Chief Ainsley Thomson about the economic fallout from one of the world’s biggest housing reversals — and what lessons it could hold for Australia as its own market begins to wobble. They discuss the painful reality of falling house prices, why governments fear housing downturns even when affordability is a political priority, and how New Zealand’s property slump is reshaping the way younger generations think about investing. Plus: are there actually bargains to be found across the Tasman for cashed-up Australians?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Australians Are Really Angry About High Grocery Prices 21.05.2026 17min

Australia’s supermarket giants are facing a growing backlash as shoppers battle rising grocery bills and fresh scrutiny lands on the industry. After a federal court found Coles misled customers over its “Down Down” discount campaign, questions are mounting over whether Australians have really been getting the bargains they were promised. On this episode of the Bloomberg Australia Podcast, host Chris Bourke speaks with global business editor Karen Leigh about the court ruling, the cost-of-living crisis and why Coles and Woolworths have become targets of consumer frustration. They unpack the power of the supermarket duopoly, the erosion of trust among shoppers and whether growing competition from Aldi and Costco could finally reshape how Australians buy their groceries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why This Week’s Budget Could Mean Even More Rate Hikes 14.05.2026 13min

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has pitched his latest budget as one of the most ambitious in decades — but does it live up to the hype? With deficits stretching into the future and spending still strong, economists warn the plan could add to inflation rather than ease it, setting up a growing clash with the Reserve Bank. As interest rates rise and global uncertainty deepens, the stakes for Australia’s economic path are only getting higher. In this episode, Bloomberg’s Swati Pandey breaks down what’s really in the budget — from housing reforms and tax changes to the bigger questions around productivity and growth. What does it mean for households already under pressure? And could this budget force the RBA to hike again as soon as June?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Three Experts Are Navigating Volatility in 2026 07.05.2026 10min

War-driven energy shocks, persistent inflation and rapid advances in AI are colliding to reshape global markets in 2026. In this special episode, we bring you highlights from a live Bloomberg panel in Sydney, where leading voices in economics, investing and dealmaking unpack how they’re navigating one of the most uncertain environments in years. Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis, Ten Cap founder Jun Bei Liu and Goldman Sachs’ Marissa Freund discuss what’s driving volatility, where investors are finding opportunity, and why dealmaking hasn’t ground to a halt.To find out more about Bloomberg New Voices head to https://www.bloomberg.com/newvoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

War, Diesel and Deals: Why Mining Giants Are Under Pressure 30.04.2026 17min

Australia’s mining giants are entering a new phase. After years chasing mega deals that never quite landed, the focus is shifting to discipline – cutting costs, reviewing assets and doubling down on metals like copper that are critical to the energy transition. But that shift comes as operating pressures build, from rising input costs to weather disruptions and tighter supply. On this episode, mining reporter Paul-Alain Hunt breaks down what’s driving the reset – and what comes next. We look at how the war in the Middle East is adding to cost pressures, why mega mergers are struggling to get over the line, and what leadership changes at BHP and Rio Tinto mean for the industry’s future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the NDIS Became a Budget Blowout, And the Race to Fix It 23.04.2026 16min

A blowout in spending on the National Disability Insurance Scheme has forced the Australian government to make tough cuts to rein the program in ahead of its May budget. On this week’s episode, economy reporter Swati Pandey discusses how NDIS spending rose so rapidly, concerns about misuse of the program, and how the government plans to fix it with greater oversight, curbs on fraud and tighter eligibility rules.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How the Iran War is Shaping What Australia Grows 16.04.2026 14min

The war in the Middle East is sending shockwaves through global fuel and fertilizer markets, and that’s flowing through to what farmers are planting in Australian paddocks this season. On this week’s episode, agriculture reporter Ben Westcott breaks down what this means for Australia’s grain production, food security, grocery prices and exports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Hard Has the Iran Crisis Hit Super Funds? 09.04.2026 16min

Global markets have been rocked by the escalating conflict between the US, Israel and Iran — and Australians are starting to feel it in their super balances. After one of the worst months since 2022, many investors are nervously checking their accounts and wondering how much damage has been done. On this week’s episode, pensions reporter Amy Bainbridge breaks down what the volatility means for your retirement savings, why funds are urging members not to panic, and what history tells us about riding out market shocks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are Kids Already Beating the Social Media Ban? 02.04.2026 13min

Australia’s world-first ban on social media for under-16s was designed to protect kids — but just months in, cracks are already showing. Regulators say major platforms may be falling short, while parents and teens report the rules are easy to get around, with workarounds ranging from shared accounts to AI-generated age checks. So is the policy actually changing behavior, or just reshuffling it? Bloomberg’s Ros Mathieson joins the podcast to unpack what’s working, what isn’t, and whether this bold experiment could become a global model — or a cautionary tale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could Australia Really Run Out of Fuel? 26.03.2026 14min

Is Australia at risk of running out of fuel? Panic buying has surged, prices are spiking and some regional stations are already running dry as tensions in the Middle East rattle global supply chains. This week on the podcast, Ben Westcott joins Rebecca Jones to unpack the data behind the headlines — how much fuel Australia actually has, where the system is under strain and why the ripple effects could hit everything from supermarket shelves to farm output.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decoding the RBA’s Latest Rate Hike — And What Comes Next 19.03.2026 21min

For a second straight meeting, the RBA has lifted interest rates, signaling the fight to curb price pressures isn’t over. But what’s actually driving those decisions behind closed doors? Bloomberg Economics’ James McIntyre joins the podcast to decode the RBA’s thinking: from the data that matters most to how global shocks, like rising energy prices, are shaping the outlook — and what it all means for where rates go next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why Australians Lead the World in Cocaine Use 11.03.2026 18min

Australia consumes more cocaine per capita than any other country in the world — nearly double the rate of the US. In this episode, Bloomberg’s Angus Whitley joins host Chris Bourke to unpack the data behind the surge, why a wealthy, remote nation has become such a lucrative market for global cartels, and how cocaine use has spread across professions and age groups. They examine the A$82 billion economic toll of illicit drugs, the role of organized crime, and how shipments — from commercial flights to offshore drops — are slipping into the country. Plus, are authorities making any headway, or is demand simply too strong to curb Australia’s growing appetite?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What the Iran War Means for Interest Rates, Inflation and Stocks 04.03.2026 14min

Oil prices are surging as the escalating conflict involving Iran rattles global markets, sending investors scrambling to assess the fallout. While US stocks have been relatively steady, crude’s jump is sharpening concerns about inflation and what it means for interest rates worldwide. In this episode of the Bloomberg Australia Podcast, Rebecca Jones talks to markets reporter Richard Henderson about how the turmoil is flowing through to the ASX, petrol prices and Reserve Bank policy. From energy producers and airlines to haven trades and AI giants, we unpack the winners, losers and the key risks Australian investors should be watching.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rising Cost of Retirement (And What Super Funds Are Doing About It) 26.02.2026 17min

Retiring comfortably in Australia just got a lot more expensive. New figures show couples now need about A$730,000 in super to fund a comfortable retirement — roughly A$40,000 more than six months ago — as living costs continue to climb.  On this episode of the Bloomberg Australia Podcast, host Rebecca Jones speaks with pensions reporter Amy Bainbridge about what the new targets mean for workers decades away from retirement, how super funds are adapting to an ageing membership base, and whether new retirement products — from annuities to AI-powered advice — could reshape how Australians spend their golden years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside the Housing Backlash in Sydney’s Wealthiest Suburbs 19.02.2026 12min

Sydney is one of the least dense major cities in the developed world — but that may be about to change. In the affluent suburb of Woollahra, residents are pushing back against a plan to revive a long-abandoned incomplete train station and build 10,000 new homes nearby. It’s a local fight with national implications, as governments grapple with soaring rents, a deepening affordability crisis and pressure to force wealthier neighborhoods to take on more housing. Bloomberg’s Swati Pandey and Aradhana Aravindan join the podcast to unpack what’s at stake — from property prices and lifestyle trade-offs to productivity, inflation and the Reserve Bank. Can Australia fix its housing crunch without reshaping its most exclusive suburbs?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bitcoin, Big Tech and the AI Trade Rollercoaster 12.02.2026 13min

Global markets have been on a rollercoaster, with billions wiped from two of the hottest trades of the past year: Big Tech and Bitcoin. At first glance they might seem unrelated – but both are deeply tied to the same force driving markets right now: the AI boom. As software stocks wobble, crypto swings wildly and tech giants ramp up spending on data centers, investors are being forced to reassess what comes next. On this episode of the Bloomberg Australia Podcast, Rebecca Jones speaks with cross-asset reporter Richard Henderson about what’s behind the volatility, whether the AI trade is cracking or simply cooling off, and why some investors remain surprisingly bullish.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.