In this Australian Investors Podcast episode, Owen Rask sits down with Senator Andrew Bragg for a wide-ranging conversation about the Federal Budget, housing supply, tax, productivity and why so many Australians feel the country has become harder to get ahead in. Rather than getting stuck in party talking points, they focus on the practical questions investors, business owners and workers are asking right now: what happens when policy makes it harder to build homes, why does productivity matter so much for living standards, and how do taxes, regulation and incentives shape whether Australia creates more wealth or simply fights over what already exists? Andrew explains why he believes cutting housing supply is one of the worst policy choices Australia can make, how rising rents, higher rates and broader cost-of-living pressure are changing the national mood, and why small business, private investment and simpler rules still matter if Australia wants to stay competitive. The conversation also touches on super, the role of large institutions, and why clearer economic thinking matters more when confidence is low. Owen pushes on the bigger picture too: whether Australia has lost ambition, why the policy debate feels less honest than it should, and what needs to change if Australians want better opportunities over the next decade. If you want a plain-English discussion about housing, tax, productivity, competitiveness and the long-run direction of Australia, this is a timely episode to queue next. Chapters 00:00 Intro 05:16 Who is Senator Andrew Bragg? 05:49 How Parliament, the budget and the Senate work 07:26 Australia’s productivity problem 09:07 Can Canberra actually cut red tape? 11:00 We need to build 250,000 houses 13:59 “35,000 fewer homes” and the budget fight 16:08 Big super, landlords and crowding out individuals - is this communism? 18:29 Investing, tall poppies and rewarding value creators 21:18 Why Canberra misunderstands small business 26:47 Bragg’s political philosophy and leadership 29:16 Tax reform, budget restraint and honest politics 34:17 Cost of living relief vs fixing the system 38:37 What past reforms got right 40:09 Lower taxes, spending cuts and capital flight 45:50 Taxing capital, CGT and negative gearing 48:43 Why builders need infrastructure support 51:29 Super, choice and the budget backlash 53:17 Home ownership and the Australian dream 57:03 Final message: leadership, choice and agency Episode resources - Speak with the Rask Advice team: https://rask.au/advice - Ask a question (select the Investors podcast): https://bit.ly/R-quest Show partner resources - ETF investor? Go beyond ordinary with Global X: View all funds https://www.globalxetfs.com.au - Visit TermPlus to learn more https://termplus.com.au/?utm_source=rask&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=investors&utm_term=general&utm_content=youtube_description - Have the chance to win a 5k travel voucher. Take the TermPlus survey here (last entry 31st of May) https://termplus.com.au/money-mindset-index/survey/?utm_source=rask&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=money_mindset_index&utm_term=score&utm_content=ad_read_description Rask Resources - All services: https://bit.ly/R-services - Financial Planning: https://bit.ly/R-plan - Invest with us: https://bit.ly/R-invest - Access Show Notes: https://bit.ly/R-notes - Ask a question: https://bit.ly/R-quest - We love feedback! https://raskau.typeform.com/to/ZbfHy6IP Follow us on social media - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rask.invest - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rask.invest DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains general financial information only. That means the information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Because of that, you should consider if the information is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on it. If you’re confused about what that means or what your needs are, you should always consult a licensed and trusted financial planner. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this podcast, including any financial, taxation, and/or legal information. Remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The Rask Group is NOT a qualified tax accountant, financial (tax) adviser, or financial adviser. Access The Rask Group's Financial Services Guide (FSG): https://www.rask.com.au/fsg