Queensland’s Gold Coast has always been home to great beaches, plenty of sunshine and good times for locals, along with many visitors from interstate and abroad. So much so that it’s easy to overlook this sunny economic power-house for everything else it offers. The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions, which is […]

It’s fitting that we are on the verge of the Winter Olympics as I write this column. Why? Because we might be witnessing the political equivalent of ‘Doing a Bradbury’ – the great sporting moment that became a classic Aussie expression. Just as quintessential Queensland battler Steven Bradbury won a Gold Medal as the ‘Last […]

The legendary Queensland politician, Ron Boswell, was laid to rest in Brisbane on 16 January at a state funeral attended by key identities from all sides of parliament, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and former Prime Minister, John Howard. Known simply as ‘Bozzie’, the Hon Ron Boswell AO was a good man who served as […]

The Australian Labor Party has released its internal review of the 2025 federal election campaign. For a document reflecting on an historic win of 94 seats, it is notably focused on what comes next. It offers a useful window into how the party reads its mandate and, more importantly, how seriously it takes the gap […]

In the last Inside Word, I wrote about the resignation of Kevin Rudd as Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, and who might be his replacement. I got it wrong; Prime Minister Albanese has gone for a career public servant not a political appointment. Greg Moriarty has been named the next Ambassador currently Australia’s Secretary […]

The Australian bond market is jittery. The 10-year yield hit 4.83% this week – its highest since November 2023 – as investors braced for the RBA to tighten the screws. Rising yields mean investors are demanding more compensation to lend money. Faith now comes at a premium. It’s almost poetic. Bonds are built entirely on […]

In a media week dominated by leadership chatter, policy battles and more-than-the-usual Canberra theatre, we were gleefully distracted in the pop culture corner by the breaking of Brand Beckham.  On the surface, the public tension between Brooklyn Beckham and his wildly famous parents looked like classic celebrity drama. Underneath, it was something more interesting: a […]

Two hundred and fifty years ago, a group of colonies chose defiance over accommodation. They were weaker, dependent and vulnerable, yet they resisted the authority of the most powerful empire of their time. In doing so, they shaped a new world order.  The Declaration of Independence signified the rejection of a system that did not […]

Politics runs on calendars as much as it runs on convictions. For Queensland’s Crisafulli Government, 2026 isn’t just another year in office – it’s the last clear runway before the election clock starts working against them. Four-year terms might sound like we get more governing time. But in reality, the governing window is tighter than […]