Best Grattan Institute Podcasts (2025)

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How to build a better tax system: Economic Reform Roundtable recap 20:01

Play Pause

6d ago20:01

20:01

This week, the Economic Reform Roundtable met to discuss how to boost Australia's productivity, where Grattan Institute's CEO spoke on four key areas for tax reform. A robust tax system plays an essential part in creating a competitive and productive economy - but how do we balance the system to create a better tax mix? In this podcast, CEO Aruna S…

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S03E14 - Close Reading Simplified with Christopher Such 1:27:42

4d ago1:27:42

1:27:42

In this episode, Brendan Lee is joined once again by Christopher Such—teacher, author, and one of the most practical voices in reading instruction. His new book, Primary Reading Simplified, takes the research on how children learn to read and shows us what it actually looks like in the classroom. This conversation zooms in on one of the trickiest a…

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S03E13 - A Learner’s Toolkit for Students and Teachers with Dr. Vicky Leighton and Dr. Terry Byers 1:33:17

26d ago1:33:17

1:33:17

In this episode, Brendan Lee speaks with Dr. Vicky Leighton and Dr. Terry Byers from Churchie (Anglican Church Grammar School) and they share how they’re bringing the science of learning to life in real classrooms for both students and teachers. We dive into their work on A Learner’s Toolkit, explore why teacher clarity matters more than ever and u…

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Grading the 2025 NAPLAN results 16:16

29d ago16:16

16:16

Over 1.3 million students sat the NAPLAN tests in March, which provides a health check on Australia's education system.Now, the results are in. But what do they reveal about the state of education in Australia? In this podcast, host Kat Clay is joined by education experts Amy Haywood and Molly Chapman to unpack the latest NAPLAN data. They discuss …

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S03E12 - Daniel Ansari on Number Sense, Fluency and Understanding Math Difficulties 1:21:42

2M ago1:21:42

1:21:42

What do young children really need to understand about numbers? And why do some students struggle so much with maths—even from the very beginning? In this insightful episode, I’m joined by Professor Daniel Ansari, a leading cognitive neuroscientist whose work has shaped how we understand early mathematical development. We explore what number sense …

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Gas: Love it or hate it? It's complicated... 24:28

2M ago24:28

24:28

Some people love it, some people hate it. But whatever you feel about gas, Australia urgently needs a gas strategy. Listen to our energy experts Alison Reeve and Tony Wood discuss the highly contested role of gas as Australia strives for net zero.By Grattan Institute

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How to save the NDIS 25:39

2M ago25:39

25:39

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…

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Why superannuation tax breaks need to be cut 23:13

2M ago23:13

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…

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S03E11 - Know Thy Purpose: Jocelyn Seamer on Transforming 3–6 Literacy 1:21:18

2M ago1:21:18

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…

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How to improve Australians' access to specialist care 19:40

3M ago19:40

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…

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S03E10 - Grattan Institute’s Maths Guarantee Report with Amy Haywood & Nick Parkinson 1:38:02

3M ago1:38:02

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…

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S03E9 - Making sense of the science of reading with Mandy Nayton 1:23:16

3M ago1:23:16

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…

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S03E08 - Craig Barton on Becoming a Better Maths Teacher 1:48:02

4M ago1:48:02

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…

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S03E07 - Jeanette Breen on lessons learnt from high-performing schools 1:46:26

4M ago1:46:26

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…

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The Maths Guarantee: How to Boost Students' Learning in Primary Schools 21:11

5M ago21:11

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…

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Election 2025: Evaluating the housing policies 27:09

5M ago27:09

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…

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Analysing the 2025 federal Budget 16:03

5M ago16:03

16:03

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…

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S03E06 - Dr. Carl Hendrick on Five Things Every Teacher Should Do 1:33:28

5M ago1:33:28

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 …

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Orange Book 2025: Policy priorities for the federal government 20:33

6M ago20:33

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…

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S03E05 - The ABCs of Effective Behaviour Management: A Practical Guide for Teachers with Dr. Brandi Simonsen 1:25:42

6M ago1:25:42

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…

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How to boost child vaccination rates 11:08

6M ago11:08

11:08

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…

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S03E04 - Dr. Matthew Burns on Effective Assessment: Using Data to Drive Reading & Maths Intervention 1:16:16

6M ago1:16:16

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…

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The RBA has cut rates. Now what? 21:03

6M ago21:03

21:03

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…

1
S03E03 - Liana McCurry on Mathematical Practices in High Performing Countries 1:04:42

7M ago1:04:42

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…

1
Why Rent Assistance needs to rise 20:12

7M ago20:12

20:12

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…

Grattan Institute Podcasts

1
Grattan Institute

Grattan Institute

1
Knowledge for Teachers

Brendan Lee

1
How to build a better tax system: Economic Reform Roundtable recap 20:01

1
S03E14 - Close Reading Simplified with Christopher Such 1:27:42

1
S03E13 - A Learner’s Toolkit for Students and Teachers with Dr. Vicky Leighton and Dr. Terry Byers 1:33:17

1
Grading the 2025 NAPLAN results 16:16

1
S03E12 - Daniel Ansari on Number Sense, Fluency and Understanding Math Difficulties 1:21:42

1
Gas: Love it or hate it? It's complicated... 24:28

1
How to save the NDIS 25:39

1
Why superannuation tax breaks need to be cut 23:13

1
S03E11 - Know Thy Purpose: Jocelyn Seamer on Transforming 3–6 Literacy 1:21:18

1
How to improve Australians' access to specialist care 19:40

1
S03E10 - Grattan Institute’s Maths Guarantee Report with Amy Haywood & Nick Parkinson 1:38:02

1
S03E9 - Making sense of the science of reading with Mandy Nayton 1:23:16

1
S03E08 - Craig Barton on Becoming a Better Maths Teacher 1:48:02

1
S03E07 - Jeanette Breen on lessons learnt from high-performing schools 1:46:26

1
The Maths Guarantee: How to Boost Students' Learning in Primary Schools 21:11

1
Election 2025: Evaluating the housing policies 27:09

1
Analysing the 2025 federal Budget 16:03

1
S03E06 - Dr. Carl Hendrick on Five Things Every Teacher Should Do 1:33:28

1
Orange Book 2025: Policy priorities for the federal government 20:33

1
S03E05 - The ABCs of Effective Behaviour Management: A Practical Guide for Teachers with Dr. Brandi Simonsen 1:25:42

1
How to boost child vaccination rates 11:08

1
S03E04 - Dr. Matthew Burns on Effective Assessment: Using Data to Drive Reading & Maths Intervention 1:16:16

1
The RBA has cut rates. Now what? 21:03

1
S03E03 - Liana McCurry on Mathematical Practices in High Performing Countries 1:04:42

1
Why Rent Assistance needs to rise 20:12