I had the privilege of recently attending the annual Conexus Financial Superannuation Chair’s Forum with the Chairs of Australia’s biggest and most significant superannuation funds. The superannuation industry now holds over AUD$3.6 trillion (that’s a very big number – $3,600,000,000,000.00) of our national savings in the form of super and will grow to be about AUD$5.2 […]

While the starter gun won’t be fired for months, state politics in Queensland has kicked-off the year on an election footing.  The Miles Government has a slight spring in its step, enjoying the spike in public support that usually follows a leadership change. The Crisafulli Opposition is doubling down on the discipline displayed in 2023, […]

Xin Nian Kuai Le – Happy New Year!  Last night, SAS Group China Director Victoria Qiu and I had the pleasure of being guests at Chinese New Year celebrations hosted by Dr Ruan Zongze Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Brisbane. The event hosted 400 Chinese community and business leaders, the Queensland Governor, the Deputy […]

A lot can change over the Christmas break, on top of the long road back to full productivity for what is traditionally a “slow” January, until post the Australia Day long weekend. It’s time off well-deserved for Australians working hard all year, or even if it’s just a celebratory mood that lingers for those who […]

It’s the oldest pitfall in modern politics – failing to remember the golden rule that “the microphone is always on”. The latest victim is would-be West Australian Liberal MP Basil Zempilas who was caught on a hot mic seemingly referring to women’s tennis at the Australian Open as “reserve grade”.  Basil, while a novice to […]

With temperatures climbing across Australia and another cyclone on the way, is it any wonder energy consumption is skyrocketing, putting the electricity grid under pressure? Much like post-Christmas credit card shock, the next shock will come when the exorbitant power bill turns up, as folk clamor to turn on the air conditioners in escape of […]

The change of leader and cabinet in any government is a big deal. It’s a change of people, culture and, perhaps, fortune. Labor’s new Queensland leader, Premier Steven Miles, has started well with a renewed front bench and a clever sidestep on the 2032 Olympic Games. Premier Miles has effectively reshaped his government (see the […]

Last week’s China Chamber 2023 AGM was highly successful. About 200 people attended the Canberra event from major cities across Australia on Monday, the fourth of December. Ambassador Xiao Qian, the Hon Kevin Hogan MP and David Smith MP all made speeches, which highlighted the importance of bilateral trade and its importance in improving the […]

There is a quote “Leadership is the art of disappointing people at a rate they can stand”. It makes you wonder if the Australian PM is testing this thesis.  The recent Referendum loss, the bungled immigration detainee release and the ever-climbing cost-of-living has fuelled leadership disappointment not only inside the ALP caucus but the public […]