Beyond the Deficit Myth: Money, Government and the Public Interest

The program will comprise a series of introductory talks by Associate Professor Steven Hail and participatory group discussions based on short articles and case studies relating to the nature of money and the role of the Federal Budget.

This workshop will empower participants to counter the common narrative that significant climate action is unaffordable or must be paid for by implementing austerity measures.

Day One
9:30am—11:00am Part 1: Money - what it is and where it came from.
11:30am—1:00pm Part 2: The power of the purse - federal budgeting.
2:00pm—3:30pm Part 3: The big bad wolf - sources of inflation.
3:00pm — 4:30pm Part 4: FINDING THE MONEY documentary screening.

Day Two
10:00am—11:30am Part 5: The RBA - what it can do and what it can't.
12:00pm—1:30pm Part 6: Private money creation, financial resilience and financial fragility.
2:30pm—4:00pm Part 7: Exchange rates and international debt - small and not-so-small economies in a big system.
4:00pm—4:30pm Part 8: Things you and I could do next.

To see all events happening at Climate Action Week Sydney 2025 CLICK HERE