))
Everything you need to know about Australian public policy. Grattan Institute is dedicated to developing high quality public policy for Australia’s future. Our podcasts cover a range of public policy topics focusing on the main issues facing Australia. Our podcasts concentrate on budget policy, economic growth, energy, health, institutional reform, household finances, school education, and disability policy.
…
continue reading
In the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, host Brendan Lee will be chatting to researchers, teachers and experts about what evidence-informed education is and the nuances involved with actually implementing effective and sustainable school based education.
…
continue reading
The NDIS is a vital part of Australia’s social fabric, but the scheme has grown too big, too fast. Grattan’s new report, Saving the NDIS: How to rebalance disability services to get better results, presents a four-step plan to make the NDIS sustainable. In this podcast, report authors Sam Bennett, Mia Jessurun, and Hannah Orban are joined by Senio…
…
continue reading
1
S03E10 - Grattan Institute’s Maths Guarantee Report with Amy Haywood & Nick Parkinson
1:38:02
1:38:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:38:02
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, I speak with Amy Haywood and Nick Parkinson, co-authors of the Grattan Institute’s Maths Guarantee report. We unpack what they describe as Australia’s “national problem” with maths underperformance — from the equity gaps to the urgent need for high-quality curriculum materials and teacher suppo…
…
continue reading
1
Why superannuation tax breaks need to be cut
23:13
23:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
23:13
Over decades of compulsory contributions, Australians have amassed $4 trillion in retirement savings. But behind this headline success lies a range of unresolved policy problems. The promise was a more comfortable retirement. The reality is a taxpayer-subsidised inheritance scheme. Listen to our CEO Aruna Sathanapally in conversation with Grattan’s…
…
continue reading
1
S03E11 - Know Thy Purpose: Jocelyn Seamer on Transforming 3–6 Literacy
1:21:18
1:21:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:21:18
In this episode, I’m joined by Jocelyn Seamer—educational consultant, author, and leading voice in structured literacy—to unpack what effective literacy instruction really looks like in the upper primary years. We dive into how to move beyond levelled texts and strategy-heavy comprehension lessons, and instead build a literacy block grounded in ric…
…
continue reading
1
How to improve Australians' access to specialist care
19:40
19:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
19:40
No one looks forward to seeing a specialist—whether it’s a cardiologist, paediatrician, or psychiatrist. A referral often signals your GP is concerned about a serious health problem: a suspicious lump, a complex condition, or a health issue that needs specialised attention. For many Australians, it can be a worrying time. And those worries only get…
…
continue reading
1
S03E9 - Making sense of the science of reading with Mandy Nayton
1:23:16
1:23:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:23:16
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee sits down with Mandy Nayton — CEO of the Dyslexia-SPELD Foundation and president of AUSPELD — for a deep and timely conversation about how students really learn to read. Mandy draws on decades of experience to unpack what the science of reading actually is (and what it isn’t), why explicit inst…
…
continue reading
1
S03E08 - Craig Barton on Becoming a Better Maths Teacher
1:48:02
1:48:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:48:02
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Brendan Lee is joined by the legendary Craig Barton—maths educator, best-selling author of How I Wish I Taught Maths and Reflect, Expect, Check, Explain, creator of variationtheory.com and tipsforteachers.co.uk, and one of the original voices in education podcasting. In this conversation, Craig ope…
…
continue reading
1
S03E07 - Jeanette Breen on lessons learnt from high-performing schools
1:46:26
1:46:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:46:26
In this episode, I’m joined by Jeanette Breen — Learning Specialist at Templestowe Heights Primary School and Head of Global Partnerships at No More Marking — to unpack insights from her recent tour of some of the highest-performing schools across the UK. From standalone primaries to schools within trusts like Ark Academy, and even the renowned Mic…
…
continue reading
1
The Maths Guarantee: How to Boost Students' Learning in Primary Schools
21:11
21:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
21:11
Australia has a maths problem: one in three Australian school students fail to achieve proficiency in maths.When maths is taught well, children and the nation benefit. But taught poorly, students are robbed of a core life skill. Adults with weaker maths skills have worse job prospects and are more likely to struggle with routine tasks such as manag…
…
continue reading
1
Election 2025: Evaluating the housing policies
27:09
27:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
27:09
Whether it’s increasing rent or mortgage repayments, the surging cost of buying a house or simply finding a secure place to live, Australians are struggling more than ever with housing costs. And with a federal election around the corner, cost-of-living is one of the biggest issues facing voters. Labor is spruiking the housing policies that it legi…
…
continue reading
Is the 2025 federal Budget right for these economic times? In this special pre-election Grattan podcast, our experts give their verdict.Host Kate Griffiths is joined by Grattan CEO Aruna Sathanapally and health policy expert Peter Breadon to analyse what was good in the Budget, what was missing, and what the next government – whether Labor or Coali…
…
continue reading
1
S03E06 - Dr. Carl Hendrick on Five Things Every Teacher Should Do
1:33:28
1:33:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:33:28
In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Carl Hendrick, a leading voice in education and co-author of What Does It Look Like in the Classroom?, How Learning Happens, and How Teaching Happens. Carl has been instrumental in helping teachers bridge the gap between research and practice, addressing the key question: That all sounds great, but what …
…
continue reading
1
Orange Book 2025: Policy priorities for the federal government
20:33
20:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:33
As Australia prepares for the 2025 federal election, our new Orange Book identifies the big reforms needed to set Australia on a more prosperous path. Find out what policies should be on the agenda of whoever wins the election – whether Labor or Coalition, majority or minority – on our latest podcast, with Aruna Sathanapally, Tony Wood, and host Ka…
…
continue reading
1
S03E05 - The ABCs of Effective Behaviour Management: A Practical Guide for Teachers with Dr. Brandi Simonsen
1:25:42
1:25:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:25:42
In this episode, we're focusing on a key element of successful schools: understanding and supporting positive student behaviour. Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Brandi Simonsen, a professor of special education at the University of Connecticut and co-director of the National Center on Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Brandi shares…
…
continue reading
For decades, Australia has been a global leader in child immunization efforts.Vaccination has protected millions of children from preventable diseases like diphtheria, measles and whooping cough. But after child vaccination rates peaked in 2020 at around 95%, we're now seeing an alarming decline. In this podcast, health policy experts Peter Breadon…
…
continue reading
1
S03E04 - Dr. Matthew Burns on Effective Assessment: Using Data to Drive Reading & Maths Intervention
1:16:16
1:16:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:16:16
In this episode, get ready to dive deep into the world of assessments with Dr. Matthew Burns, as we explore the different categories of assessments, their intended purposes, and how they can be used to inform instruction. Dr. Burns, a researcher with extensive experience in the effective use of assessment data and interventions, shares his expertis…
…
continue reading
Last Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia delivered its first rate cut in over four years. For many, the tumultuous years of rate rises have felt like a cost-of-living gauntlet. Inflation has driven up the cost of household bills, groceries and housing, with families slashing their spending to make ends meet. Despite the RBA’s independence from g…
…
continue reading
1
S03E03 - Liana McCurry on Mathematical Practices in High Performing Countries
1:04:42
1:04:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:42
In this episode of Knowledge for Teachers, Brendan Lee speaks with Liana McCurry, a passionate advocate for primary school maths education. Fresh from her Churchill Fellowship, Liana shares findings from her research into mathematical practices across six countries. Listeners will gain insights into the systemic issues contributing to Australia's d…
…
continue reading
Most Australians have enough to enjoy a comfortable retirement. But too many retirees who rent are being left behind.Today, two thirds of retirees who rent privately live in poverty, including more than three in four single women. And a growing number of older Australians are at risk of becoming homeless. With home ownership falling across the boar…
…
continue reading
1
What are 'GP deserts' (and how to fix them)?
13:43
13:43
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
13:43
Some communities are “GP deserts”, where there are too few GPs to ensure everyone can get the care they need when they need it. These communities are typically sicker and poorer than the rest of Australia, but receive less care and face higher fees.On this podcast, host Kat Clay interviews health experts Peter Breadon and Wendy Hu on the problem of…
…
continue reading
1
S03E02 - Shaping the Future: Murat Dizdar on His Vision for NSW Public Education
1:09:04
1:09:04
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:09:04
This episode features a compelling conversation with Murat Dizdar, the head of the New South Wales Department of Education. Murat shares his inspiring journey from being the son of Turkish immigrants to leading Australia’s largest education system. He discusses the experiences that shaped his vision for public education, his deep passion for the te…
…
continue reading
1
The Wonks' List: The Best Technical Policy Reads of 2024
17:15
17:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
17:15
Each year, our staff curate the Wonks' List, a selection of the best technical reads for policy enthusiasts. From the housing crisis to trade policy, each of these works sparks discussion on pressing economic issues. On this podcast, Senior Associates Nick Parkinson and Elizabeth Baldwin break down what made the Wonks' List for 2024, and why. Read …
…
continue reading
1
Super stressful: how Australia can simplify retirement incomes
20:06
20:06
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
20:06
Do you find the idea of planning for your retirement overwhelming? If that’s you, you’re not alone. Our new report shows about 80 per cent of Australians find retirement planning complicated and about 60 per cent of Australians expect that their retirement will be financially stressful.But there are three things the government could do to simplify …
…
continue reading
1
S03E01 - Nick Hart on Leading with Responsiveness: A School Leader's Journey
1:24:37
1:24:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:24:37
In this episode of the Knowledge for Teachers podcast, Nick Hart takes us on an inspiring journey from his beginnings in sports science to becoming a school leader in Dubai. A respected voice in educational leadership, Nick shares insights from his blog and books, delving into the evolution of his leadership style. He discusses the critical role of…
…
continue reading
