06/03/2026
Advice for Politicians and Political Candidates
As we approach the upcoming South Australian state election, the council elections later this year, and future federal elections, I would like to offer a simple message to all current politicians and those seeking public office.
The primary goal of government should be to make the lives of Australians better.
The most effective way to improve the living standards of all Australians is to grow our economy. That means improving productivity and ensuring Australia remains competitive with the rest of the world.
When productivity grows, businesses expand, jobs are created, wages rise, and governments have the revenue needed to fund essential services such as health, education and support for people with disabilities. These services are critically important, but they are only sustainable if the economy that funds them continues to grow.
Unfortunately, governments of all levels sometimes place impediments in the way of productivity. Policies that impose additional regulations on employers, make it harder to manage underperforming staff, or mandate workplace arrangements such as a legislated right to work from home or a four-day week risk reducing productivity rather than improving it.
If a business decides that working from home improves productivity and benefits both the employer and the employee, that is entirely appropriate and should be encouraged. But mandating such arrangements through legislation removes flexibility and risks harming productivity, investment and ultimately living standards.
Australia currently enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world. However, we are at a crossroads. If we continue to make it harder for businesses to invest, hire and grow in Australia, we risk losing jobs to overseas markets and eroding the competitive advantages that have helped build our prosperity.
Governments should be focused on making it easier for businesses to employ Australians, not harder.
At the same time, there are areas where government should act more decisively. Australians rightly expect a fair return from the export of our natural resources such as gas, iron ore and coal. Similarly, large multinational technology companies generating significant revenue from Australian consumers should contribute fairly to the Australian economy.
Growing the economic pie allows us to support those who need help while also encouraging policies that assist Australians to enter or remain in the workforce.
To all current politicians and candidates seeking office: I encourage you to look in the mirror and ask a simple question. Are the policies you support genuinely making the lives of Australians better?
Strong leadership sometimes requires making difficult decisions in the national interest, not simply responding to the loudest voices or the most organised interest groups.
Australia’s future prosperity depends on it.
These are my personal views and do not represent the views of the Campbelltown City Council or my employer.
