Rate hike makes Greg sad

Australian high schools are EXPENSIVE

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 speculatorsby 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.

The privatisation of Australian high school education, originally led by the Howard government, has caused prices to soar.
On this episode of Dollars &amp; Sense, Greg and Elinor discuss the Reserve Bank&rsquo;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 href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/a-time-for-bravery">A time for Bravery: what happens when Australia chooses courage</a> is available now via Australia Institute Press. Use the code &lsquo;POD5&rsquo; to get $5 off the regular price &ndash; offer available for a limited time only.
Host:&nbsp;Greg Jericho, Chief Economist, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/grogsgamut.bsky.social">@grogsgamut</a>
Host:&nbsp;Elinor Johnston-Leek, Senior Content Producer, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/elinorjohnstonleek.bsky.social">@elinorjohnstonleek</a> 
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/australian-high-schools-the-most-expensive-in-the-world-new-research/">Australian high schools the most expensive in the world &ndash; new research</a>, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2026/feb/04/rba-interest-rates-decision-analysis-reserve-bank-australia">What are the odds? The RBA has raised interest rates &ndash; for no real reason other than to meet the desires of speculators</a> by Greg Jericho, Guardian Australia (February 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/they-rushed-this-why-the-reserve-bank-got-it-wrong-by-raising-rates/">&ldquo;They rushed this&rdquo;: why the Reserve Bank got it wrong by raising rates</a>, Follow the Money, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/news/260203-rba-rate-rise-were-in-for-a-bumpy-ride">RBA rate rise: we're in for a bumpy ride</a> by Matt Grudnoff, The Point (January 2026)
Theme music:&nbsp;Blue Dot Sessions
We&rsquo;d love to hear your feedback on this series, so send in your questions, comments or suggestions for future episodes to <a href="mailto:podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au">podcasts@australiainstitute.org.au</a>.

Economic data can tell us a lot about what's happening the economy and society, but it's easy to get lost in data. Dollars and Sense dives into the latest economic figures to explain how they impact you and what they tell us about the state of the Australian economy, with host Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia.

Economic data can tell us a lot about what's happening the economy and society, but it's easy to get lost in data. Dollars and Sense dives into the latest economic figures to explain how they impact you and what they tell us about the state of the Australian economy, with host Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and the Centre for Future Work and popular columnist of Grogonomics with Guardian Australia.

Dollars & Sense

Dollars & Sense demystifies the latest economic figures, how they impact you and what they can tell us about the economy, with host with Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work, and author of Guardian Australia's Grogonomics column.  

Dollars &amp; Sense demystifies the latest economic figures, how they impact you and what they can tell us about the economy, with host with Greg Jericho, Chief Economist at the Australia Institute and Centre for Future Work, and author of Guardian Australia's Grogonomics column.

The privatisation of Australian high school education, originally led by the Howard government, has caused prices to soar.