2024 could be called “election year” across Australia, with Tasmania (March 23), the Northern Territory (August 24), the Australian Capital Territory (October 19), and Queensland (October 26) all heading off to the polls, as are the good residents of the Federal electorate of Dunkley (March 2). Right now, Tasmania is the only state or territory […]

I am often asked this question. Once an answer is offered, ‘what is government relations?‘ or ‘what is media management?‘ is usually the follow up.  So instead of an industry buzz word or abstract concept, let me show you what we do through the lens of our team’s activities in the past month.  Amid national […]

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 […]