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Has Australia wasted the last 30 years?

Has Australia wasted the last 30 years?

Former Treasurer Peter Costello recently published an opinion piece titled “We’ve wasted 20 years. It’s time to rebuild our great nation.” The timeframe he references coincides with the period since he left the Treasurer role following the 2007 election. Notably, the article proposed little in the way of strategic fiscal reform beyond a call to reduce ...
Navigating the next stage of life in retirement

Navigating the next stage of life in retirement

Whenever I make a speech to retirees, I always begin with one of the most basic questions people need to think about. It’s almost inevitable that at some point you – or your partner, if you’re in a couple – will need care. Is your home one where that care can be provided? That became very real for me two years ago when I broke my ankle and discovered ...
Showcasing your value in the age of AI shortcuts

Showcasing your value in the age of AI shortcuts

For the past few decades, being in shape was the ultimate ‘proof of work’. You couldn’t buy it. You had to earn it. Unless you had top 5% genetics, you had to build your physique through diet and exercise. But then something incredible happened. GLP-1 agonists (like Ozempic) hit the market and, overnight, a better body was only a weekly injection away. ...
Financial advice as the pathway to economic security

Financial advice as the pathway to economic security

The theme of International Women’s Day was “give to gain”. If you are still thinking about giving a donation or volunteering I have a suggestion. Consider giving yourself, your daughters or your mother financial advice to gain economic security. Because you probably know these stats: women tend to score lower on financial literacy tests, end up with ...
The overlooked driver of energy inflation

The overlooked driver of energy inflation

While the debate over public spending and its effect on inflation dominates current economic talk, energy policy and the transition to renewable energy is often overlooked as a driver of inflation in Australia. The cost of energy flows through to the cost structure of the whole economy. Elevated energy costs inflate unit labour costs and weigh on ...
A 2026 rotation story: Europe’s undervalued small caps

A 2026 rotation story: Europe’s undervalued small caps

After a prolonged cycle of US outperformance, 2026 marks a pivotal rebalancing. Europe is entering a ‘Goldilocks’ scenario of cooling inflation and lower rates, turbocharged by accelerating fiscal stimulus. Yet, equity valuations have not fully priced in this recovery. This lag is most acute looking across different market capitalisation ranges, ...
What we do when things go up (a lot)

What we do when things go up (a lot)

There have been some quite significant moves in asset prices in recent times. The dramatic increase in the price of gold over the past year has probably not escaped your attention, but it is not the rise in the yellow metal that is most interesting to me, rather the behavioural implications. How does extreme positive performance from any asset class or ...
If Pauline Hanson and the Nats fall to clean energy, it’s game over right?

If Pauline Hanson and the Nats fall to clean energy, it’s game over right?

What they’re saying: If Pauline Hanson and the Nats fall to clean energy it’s game over right? While the war on oil rages in the Middle East the smart money is turning to an expected surge in opportunities for renewable energy and batteries. It took just days after the start of the conflict to spot some EV owners humble bragging (actually not humble, ...

Has Australia wasted the last 30 years?

Has Australia wasted the last 30 years?
Former Treasurer Peter Costello recently published an opinion piece titled “We’ve wasted 20 years. It’s time to rebuild our great nation.” The timeframe he references coincides with the period since he left the Treasurer role following the 2007 election. Notably, the article proposed little in the way of strategic fiscal reform beyond a call to reduce ...

Navigating the next stage of life in retirement

Navigating the next stage of life in retirement
Whenever I make a speech to retirees, I always begin with one of the most basic questions people need to think about. It’s almost inevitable that at some point you – or your partner, if you’re in a couple – will need care. Is your home one where that care can be provided? That became very real for me two years ago when I broke my ankle and discovered ...

Showcasing your value in the age of AI shortcuts

Showcasing your value in the age of AI shortcuts
For the past few decades, being in shape was the ultimate ‘proof of work’. You couldn’t buy it. You had to earn it. Unless you had top 5% genetics, you had to build your physique through diet and exercise. But then something incredible happened. GLP-1 agonists (like Ozempic) hit the market and, overnight, a better body was only a weekly injection away. ...

Financial advice as the pathway to economic security

Financial advice as the pathway to economic security
The theme of International Women’s Day was “give to gain”. If you are still thinking about giving a donation or volunteering I have a suggestion. Consider giving yourself, your daughters or your mother financial advice to gain economic security. Because you probably know these stats: women tend to score lower on financial literacy tests, end up with ...

The overlooked driver of energy inflation

The overlooked driver of energy inflation
While the debate over public spending and its effect on inflation dominates current economic talk, energy policy and the transition to renewable energy is often overlooked as a driver of inflation in Australia. The cost of energy flows through to the cost structure of the whole economy. Elevated energy costs inflate unit labour costs and weigh on ...

A 2026 rotation story: Europe’s undervalued small caps

A 2026 rotation story: Europe’s undervalued small caps
After a prolonged cycle of US outperformance, 2026 marks a pivotal rebalancing. Europe is entering a ‘Goldilocks’ scenario of cooling inflation and lower rates, turbocharged by accelerating fiscal stimulus. Yet, equity valuations have not fully priced in this recovery. This lag is most acute looking across different market capitalisation ranges, ...

What we do when things go up (a lot)

What we do when things go up (a lot)
There have been some quite significant moves in asset prices in recent times. The dramatic increase in the price of gold over the past year has probably not escaped your attention, but it is not the rise in the yellow metal that is most interesting to me, rather the behavioural implications. How does extreme positive performance from any asset class or ...

If Pauline Hanson and the Nats fall to clean energy, it’s game over right?

If Pauline Hanson and the Nats fall to clean energy, it’s game over right?
What they’re saying: If Pauline Hanson and the Nats fall to clean energy it’s game over right? While the war on oil rages in the Middle East the smart money is turning to an expected surge in opportunities for renewable energy and batteries. It took just days after the start of the conflict to spot some EV owners humble bragging (actually not humble, ...