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

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

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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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

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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

What One Nation’s Rise Means for Australian Politics

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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

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

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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Why Australians Are Really Angry About High Grocery Prices

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 [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.