Thu 5 Feb 2026 17.00
AAP Image/Mick Tsikas
The privatisation of Australian high school education, originally led by the Howard government, has caused prices to soar.
On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the Reserve Bank’s decision to raise interest rates and the absurdity of elite private schools receiving substantial public funding.
This discussion was recorded on Thursday 5 February 2026.
A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code ‘POD5’ to get $5 off the regular price – offer available for a limited time only.
Host: Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // @grogsgamut
Host: Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // @elinorjohnstonleek
Show notes:
Australian high schools the most expensive in the world – new research, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
What are the odds? The RBA has raised interest rates – for no real reason other than to meet the desires of speculators by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)
“They rushed this”: why the Reserve Bank got it wrong by raising rates, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
RBA rate rise: we’re in for a bumpy ride by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (January 2026)
Theme music: Blue Dot Sessions
We’d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au.
Tasmania’s Liberal Government is being warned against rushing to lock in long-term logging contracts, with critics cautioning the state could be forced to pay millions to tear them up.
Australia’s Labor Government has found an unlikely ally as it considers scaling back the 50% capital gains discount for property investors.
We are living through the worst housing crisis in living memory. Rents are surging, home ownership is slipping further out of reach, and homelessness is rising and more persistent.
In the aftermath of the Reserve Bank’s decision to raise rates, the various parties that now make up the non-government side of things (“Opposition” feels far too a cohesive term) have taken to trying to blame Government spending.
