We like to think of Australia as an egalitarian country where social mobility is real and the concept of equality is unchallenged. But the reality is that, along with our English speaking peers, we are in the top third of OECD countries in terms of economic inequality. This inequality is getting worse, and continues to influence education, health and housing. Accusations of ‘class warfare’ are thrown around to stop discussion whenever these topics are raised, but it’s time to ask if the class system is back, and if it is getting stronger.Mark Carnegie is the Managing Director of M. H. Carnegie & Co, and has over thirty years of experience as an entrepreneur, investor and corporate advisor.Mark Latham is an Australian writer, essayist and former politician. He is the author of Not Dead Yet: Labor's post-left future and, soon to be published, The Political Bubble: Why Australians don’t trust politics.Judith Sloan is contributing economics editor to The Australian. She has held numerous commercial directorships, and has served as a commissioner on the Productivity Commission and Commissioner of the Australian Fair Pay Commission.