Cornerstone Group Insights and Analysis

It’s basically what we thought it would be a couple weeks out, ultimately lower debt and deficit than what they forecast previously, a massive budget improvement of over $100 billion.

The Cornerstone Group held its first Insights Forum event for 2021 this week focussing on the importance of reaching ‘across the aisle’.

A quality strategy government relations partnership between Cornerstone Group Australia and Collectiveness Wellness Group was quickly deployed with key decision-makers to both educate and seek change to the COVID-19 Marshal Plan that was threatening the viability of 24-7 gyms.

Until we get those vaccine numbers out to that high number where the government and its health advisers are after… this is going to continue to happen.

There’s quite a few things that need to happen here in terms of rebooting the economy and getting growth picking up next year, but obviously with an eye to paying down debt.

We’re starting to get conflicting health advice from the Commonwealth level and Victoria in particular about whether or not it’s actually safe to have schools operating in that face-to-face learning.

There’s a lot of the hallmark here of the first Rudd Government stimulus, in terms of payments which will be directed to low income earners, on the pension and potentially Newstart, I think that’s a big tick.

I mention John Stone because he taught me that being on top of Australian domestic economic data and trends and also political issues was a necessary condition to be a good analyst, it wasn’t a sufficient condition.

I suspect that senators will be pursuing Mr [Steven] Kennedy this morning about what is the likely impact on the economy of the coronavirus in the June quarter

There’s a strong expectations management game from the Treasurer and the Government which is understandable given what we’re seeing unfold across global markets.

James is asked about the recent stories in the news about wages theft. “What does this tell you, that these big companies are doing this on purpose or the system’s too complicated?”

Ausgrid weren’t aware about the official knocking on the head of their request for army assistance. Ausgrid was saying: “oh no we don’t want taxpayers to have to pay for anything”. But if you call in the army, that’s essentially what happens.

Last week we had a refreshing first sitting week of the year with political hostilities put on hold while all members of parliament came together to honour those affected by the national bushfire emergency including the victims and rural fire service volunteers. Those preferring the Canberra political blood sport were not long disappointed, with the […]

With the first major question time, it was interesting to see where Labor went, with so much that happened over the summer.

Cornerstone as Australia’s leading bipartisan government relations and advocacy firm will again be hosting a series of Insight Forum events that bring together leading members of the Australian Government and the Opposition.

We have appointed James Cullen as Senior Director – Government Relations in our Sydney office.

A commitment to growing stronger linkages in science and technology.

Cornerstone Group Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of government and public affairs veteran Peter Fraser as General Manager and Business Development Director. Peter will lead the Sydney office and take responsibility for driving new business. Peter will also provide strategic advice on government relations, public affairs, reputation management, and issues and crisis management […]

Cornerstone Founder and Director Joseph Tannous recently visited Canberra with former Kangaroo’s great and mortgage broker Steve “Beaver” Menzies, for discussions with a number of Federal Government Ministers regarding financial sector policies in the wake of the Haines Banking Royal Commission. Here they are outside Parliament House with rugby league tragic and Deputy Prime Minister […]

The ministerial reshuffle following the recent Federal election presents new opportunities for business. Particular areas to watch are government services, energy, industrial relations, defence industry, health and indigenous affairs. It is reasonable to say Australian markets and the Australian electorate were, generally, not expecting the Morrison Government to be re-elected on 18 May. This was […]

The machinery of government and how to influence policy after the 2019 federal election were key subjects of discussion during a recent Cornerstone Insights Forum. The Chatham House rule event was held at NSW Parliament House on Friday 26 April. Experiences of former ministers invaluable Cornerstone’s co-chairs, the Hon. Simon Crean and the Hon Dr […]

The NSW Government’s shift to portfolio clusters is meant to make the public’s interaction with it easier; but what does it mean for business and its government relations strategies?

The return of the Coalition Government in NSW on a slender two-seat majority in the Lower House may not necessarily mean business as usual for the State. Indeed, the business sector will need to engage proactively with both the Government, Opposition and crossbenchers to ensure its voice is heard. Although the Coalition has been returned, […]

The key purpose of any public affairs campaign is to build support, trust and credibility amongst stakeholders – the general public, media, community groups, and government.

Trump has imposed tariffs on US$250 billion worth of Chinese imports. And China has responded with its own tariffs, primarily hitting US agricultural exports to China.

Few should be surprised by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s preliminary decision to block the CKI bid for APA’s critical infrastructure gas pipeline. In his statement of yesterday the Treasurer said he had advised CKI that its bid “would be contrary to the national interest”.

The likely win by independent candidate Dr Kerryn Phelps means Australia will have a hung Federal Parliament for the remainder of this parliamentary term.

During times of market uncertainty, it is essential that companies communicate with their investment community and stakeholders through targeted communication.

Join a cause or get some of your friends together to start a cause to fix a problem no one else is fixing.

Even where Australians have been hired in management positions because of their local knowledge and experience, a lot of decisions are still referred back. That obviously slows down the decision-making process.

As CEO Alistair will also be a member of the company?s Advisory Board. He will work closely with the board, including Cornerstone Founder and Executive Director Joseph Tannous, and Co-Chairmen The Hon. Dr Peter Hendy and The Hon. Simon Crean.

I strongly suspect the decision by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the cabinet not to proceed with these type of changes severely affected the new Prime Minister’s standing in the polls.

The Liberal Party has asked the former NSW deputy police commissioner, Nick Kaldas, to run as a candidate in the marginal seat of Strathfield.

Simon’s knowledge and experience of the inner workings of government will provide our clients with a strategic advantage in government relations and corporate affairs.