Private schools have a “parasitic relationship” with public education, says Jane Caro.

On this episode of Follow the Money, recorded live at Politics in the Pub in Canberra, Jane Caro joins Dr Alice Grundy to how Australia came to the most expensive place in the developed world for families to send a child to high school and Jane’s essay for Australia Institute Press, Rich Kid Poor Kid: The battle for public education.

The original conversation was recorded live on 3 June 2026. Stay across all of our events by signing up to our newsletter.

Support the research powerful interests fear. Make a tax-deductible donation to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.

Guest: Jane Caro, Walkley Award-winning columnist, novelist & author of Rich Kid, Poor Kid: The battle for public education // @janecaro

Host: Alice Grundy, Managing Editor, Australia Institute Press // @alicektg

Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // @ebonybennett

Show notes:

Rich Kid Poor Kid: The battle for public education by Jane Caro, Vantage Point, the Australia Institute (May 2026)

Australia’s private high school problem by Skye Predavec and Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute (February 2026)

Why Australian high schools cost families more than anywhere else in the developed world: explained in 3 charts by Skye Predavec, The Point (February 2026)

Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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. Subscribe to Follow the Money on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Castsor wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Private schools have a &ldquo;parasitic relationship&rdquo; with public education, says Jane Caro.
On this episode of Follow the Money, recorded live at Politics in the Pub in Canberra, Jane Caro joins Dr Alice Grundy to how Australia came to the most expensive place in the developed world for families to send a child to high school and Jane&rsquo;s essay for Australia Institute Press, <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/rich-kid-poor-kid-vantage-point-issue-5">Rich Kid Poor Kid: The battle for public education</a>.
The original conversation was recorded live on 3 June 2026. <a href="https://nb.australiainstitute.org.au/subscribe">Stay across all of our events</a> by signing up to our newsletter.
Support the research powerful interests fear. <a href="https://theaus.in/3RR3KYd">Make a tax-deductible donation</a> to the Australia Institute's End of Financial Year Appeal before 30 June.
Guest: Jane Caro, Walkley Award-winning columnist, novelist &amp; author of Rich Kid, Poor Kid: The battle for public education // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/janecaro.bsky.social">@janecaro</a>
Host: Alice Grundy, Managing Editor, Australia Institute Press // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/alicektg.bsky.social">@alicektg</a>
Host: Ebony Bennett, Deputy Director, the Australia Institute // <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ebonybennett.bsky.social">@ebonybennett</a>
Show notes:
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/store/rich-kid-poor-kid-vantage-point-issue-5">Rich Kid Poor Kid: The battle for public education</a> by Jane Caro, Vantage Point, the Australia Institute (May 2026)
<a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/australias-private-high-school-problem/">Australia&rsquo;s private high school problem</a> by Skye Predavec and Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute (February 2026)
<a href="https://thepoint.com.au/off-the-charts/260203-why-australian-high-schools-cost-families-more-than-anywhere-else-in-the-developed-world-in-3-charts">Why Australian high schools cost families more than anywhere else in the developed world: explained in 3 charts</a> by Skye Predavec, The Point (February 2026)
Theme music: Pulse and Thrum; additional music by 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>. Subscribe to Follow the Money on&nbsp;<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/follow-the-money/id1078781512">Apple Podcasts</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0JOrvYNuhHOwaFuZ7PlW1d?si=e9265dc6a04d40b3">Spotify</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/follow-the-money/2aeecbb0-b36a-0133-2e57-6dc413d6d41d">Pocket Casts</a> or wherever you get your favourite podcasts.

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Economics and politics explained in plain English

Follow The Money

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Economics, politics and policy explained in plain English.

Private schools have a “parasitic relationship” with public education, says Jane Caro.