HeyJaredWhy Can't They Just...
A podcast aimed at delving into Australian politics and policy with a focus on environment, wealth inequality and foreign policy. We try to answer the question why can't they (the government) just solve big issues with simple solutions
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 10
- Latest publication
- Sep 9, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 8, 2026
Latest episodes
What is AI doing to the economy and how do we ensure it isn't bad? (opens the original)
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Janaline and Glenn look at the different ways in which AI is likely to affect the Australian economy and ask what, if anything, the government can do to ensure it delivers benefit to the people. Spoiler alert: we see a big role for government policy here. Here is a transcript . Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question, or email us at `whycanttheyjust@gmail.com`. We'd love to hear from you. Find out more about us and how you can support us at w
What is like in public schools and what policies could make it better? (opens the original)
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Janaline, Luke and Yassine discuss what it's actually like in Australian public schools, what are the challenges for teachers and students and what policies might make things better. Philosophy for children might be an answer. Good news: public schools in Australia are actually pretty good and fixing the roofs would go a long way to making them even better. Here is a transcript . Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question, or email us at `whycantt
Why can't they just fund public schools? (and why fund private schools?) (opens the original)
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Welcome to Season 3, and welcome to our new co-host Yassine. Janaline, Luke, Yassine and Glenn talk about school funding: why does the government give so much to private schools when public schools are under-funded, and what can be done to make education more equitable while improving academic standards? Here is a transcript . Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question, or email us at `whycanttheyjust@gmail.com`. We'd love to hear from you. Find o
Why can't they just make social media safe for young people? (opens the original)
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Janaline and Luke are joined by special guest Yassine to talk about social media and its impact on Generation Z - the first generation to grow up entirely on line and the last generation not to be protected. They talk about what the infinite scroll and the outrage machine are doing to their peers and offer thoughts on how to keep people safe. Spoiler alert - we see a significant role for governments here. Here is a transcript . Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't
Why can't the government be accountable? (and why you should love admin law) (opens the original)
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Janaline and Glenn look at different mechanisms to hold governments to account and discuss why every Australian should love the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act. They look at the difference between the public interest and what interests the public, and argue that access to decision makers doesn't necessarily mean influence over them. Here is a transcript . Please leave a comment, particularly if you have your own "Why can't they just..." question, or email us at `whycanttheyjust@gm
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