DBrief Podcast by Australian Industry Group
DBrief, the business podcast from Australian Industry Group is for business people with a keen interest in understanding the connection between their individual business operation and the broader issues of Industry Development, Industry Policy and new government regulations.
Via an engaging and informal interview format, DBrief will investigate:
- What is happening in Industry Policy, and what does it mean?
- Where are these issues going, and what do I need to know?
- What do I need to think about and learn, in order to stay abreast of- or even ahead of- the emerging issues and developments?
By understanding the answers to these questions, business operators can stay ahead of changes and market movements, and be better prepared for Digitalisation, Decarbonisation and Diversification in their business and their market sector.
The podcast is designed to provide Australian Industry Group members and other business owners with a useful and timely insight into the changes in policy and regulations, and what is means for business.
Episodes
43 episodes
From button batteries to Quantum - the role of standards in modern industry
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath speaks with Rod Balding, CEO of Standards Australia, about why standards are far more than technical documents and how they shape safety, markets and A...
What the Budget does and doesn’t deliver: progress since the 2025 productivity roundtable
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath and Dr. Jeff Wilson from the Australian Industry Group unpack the 2026-27 Federal Budget and assess how it measures up against the economic reform agenda set at last year’s productivity roundtable.&...
Biofuels, fuel security and what ethanol could do for Australia
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath speaks with Ash Salardini, CEO of Australian Sugar Manufacturers, about the role biofuels - particularly ethanol - could play in strengthening Australia’s fuel security as the conflict in Iran continues...
The deeper supply chain impacts of the Iran conflict
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath and Jeff Wilson from the Australian Industry Group return to the conflict in Iran, as impacts move beyond fuel prices and deepen across industrial supply chains. They explain why businesses ...
What the Strategic Examination of Research and Development Means for Industry, Innovation and Productivity
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath and David Martin from the Australian Industry Group discuss the final report of the Strategic Examination of Research and Development in Australia and what it means for industry, innovation and...
How the Iran conflict is rippling through Australia’s fuel market and supply chains
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath and Jeff Wilson from the Australian Industry Group discuss how the conflict in Iran is disrupting liquid fuel supply, international freight, and critical industrial inputs across the Australian economy....
What industry wants from South Australia and Victoria in an election year
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath speaks with the Australian Industry Group’s state heads, Tim Piper in Victoria and Estha van der Linden in South Australia, to explore what businesses on the ground are really facing as both states head...
Inside Australia’s 2026 Industry Outlook: costs, tech investment and regulatory pressure
In this episode, Louise McGrath and Dr Jeffrey Wilson unpack Australian Industry Group's Australian Industry Outlook for 2026, revealing a landscape where businesses are juggling rising costs, mixed demand expectations, and rapidly evolving tec...
DBrief Summer Series: starting small, scaling smart — AI lessons from two Australian icons
In this third Summer Series episode, we spotlight two century‑old Australian manufacturers - InfraBuild and Dux - who are using AI not as hype, but as a practical lever for safety, service coverage, and productivity.From Sharmy F...
DBrief Summer Series: Executing AI in complex settings
In this episode, we spotlight two industries where the stakes couldn’t be higher - healthcare and superannuation - and ask: how do organisations build trust, navigate regulation, and introduce AI responsibly in emotionally sensitive environ...
DBrief Summer Series: Getting Started - The AI Adoption Challenge for Industry
In this episode, we explore one of the most pressing questions for Australian industry: why is AI adoption still so low, and what will it take to change that?Our panel brings together three unique perspectives:Martin U. Ri...
2025 in Review — The big challenges, the shifts underway, and the road ahead
In this episode, Australian Industry Group CEO Innes Willox joins us to review Australia’s economic landscape in 2025. He reflects on a year marked by slow growth and persistent inflation, outlining why stronger government action is essential t...
AI at Work - Unlocking Efficiency in Customer Service and Steelmaking
In our new report, the Australian Industry Group and the Australian Government’s National Artificial Intelligence Centre explore how Australian businesses are embracing and integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their daily operations, h...
COP30 Climate Talks in Brazil: Key Issues and Insights
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath and Tennant Reed discuss the ongoing COP30 conference in Brazil, focusing on the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) reform in Australia, the major issues being addressed at COP3...
Fixing Australia’s innovation puzzle: Why our R&D system needs a rethink
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath sits down with David Martin, Director for Innovation and Emerging Technologies at the Australian Industry Group, to unpack the Strategic Examination of Research and Development (SERD) - a once-in-a-gene...
Navigating Tariffs and Supply Chain Turbulence
In this episode, Louise McGrath and Dr Jeffrey Wilson unpack a new report by the Australian Industry Group titled Trade, Tariffs and ...
Market Lens — Australia's Fragmented Frontiers & Regional Insights
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath and Dr Jeffrey Wilson explore the complexities of Australia’s economic landscape, including challenges posed by time zones, public holidays, and the need for a unified economic market. They examine trad...
The Economic Impact of Barcodes with Marcel Sieira, Chief Operating Officer, GS1 Australia
The Economic Impact of BarcodesIn this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath speaks with Marcel Sieira, Chief Operating Officer of GS1 Australia, about the critical role of supply chain data standards in today's economy. T...
2035 Emission Targets - Special Episode
In this episode, Louise McGrath and Tennant Reed discuss the implications of Australia's 2035 emissions reduction target, focusing on how various industries can adapt to meet these goals. They explore the unique challenges faced by different se...
Breaking Barriers: Gender, Innovation, and the Future of Australian Industry
In this episode of DBrief, Louise McGrath and Jeffrey Wilson explore the evolving dynamics of gender participation in traditionally male-dominated industries like construction, mining, and manufacturing.Contrary to conventional narrative...
DBrief: Episode 22, August 2025
Chief Executive of The Australian Industry Group Innes Willox joins Louise and Jeff to cover some of the key outcomes of the Treasurers Economic Reform Roundtable including International Trade, Single Economic Market, State Regulation and Tax r...
DBrief: Episode 21, August 2025
Jeff is joined by Tennant Reed and David Martin to energy and R&D - two make or break issues for Australia's economic aspirations. Why is getting things done so hard, and how can we go from simply wanting 'more please' to real change?
Manufacturing in Australia
Louise and Jeff discuss the role of manufacturing in Australia and our recent rep...
DBrief: Episode 19, July 2025
In this episode, we dive into rare insights from the public service’s unfiltered views on housing, tax reform, and global economic risks. We explore Treasury’s blunt assessment that Australia’s housing targets are unlikely to be met...