This is a question I am asked by nearly every single client when they buy an investment property. As a financial planner in Australia, the concept of an LAQC was new to me in 2004 and because you can achieve the tax benefits of an LAQC without having... Read More

You can always rely on a politician to both meddle and bugger things up and United Future's Peter Dunne fits that bill even more than most. This is a whinge about daylight saving. Not daylight saving per se, I hasten to add, because I love the concept,... Read More

'Where would we be without mobile-phones?” asks one of your dinner-party guests. I usually respond with, 'We'd be a lot more friggin civilised.” How often have you been talking to someone, a real three dimensional person, and at the... Read More

The 'Fight of the Century' this Saturday night takes centre stage in my sporting diary this week. The much anticipated and hyped fight will finally settle who the best is; David Tua and Shane Cameron. However, those that make the claim that it is... Read More

It is indeed a bad day for all those who will lose their jobs & one I can't help but be sympathetic with, but there is a lesson in this. Government involvement in business has the effect of picking some business winners, while destroying others.... Read More

Today I am off to Fiji to attend a conference for the Australian Lending Company (Alco). My Australian company won the business of the year last year and this year we are once again finalists. When I am there I will be talking to mortgage brokers who... Read More

Last week I looked at the recruitment stage of the employee development process. The next step is to train the employee in the products, services, systems and culture of the organisation. This can be conducted by both external and internal sources.... Read More

This government is researching possible reforms to the liquor laws. It is being run by former Labour Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer and apart from some minor amendments is the first major look at these laws since 1989. The intention is to save intoxicated... Read More

Everyone knows that jobs are getting scarce - well you'd of thought so wouldn't you? It seems some people don't actually want to get a job, regardless of their claims to the contrary. I have a view of the reception area from my office and can hear... Read More

Every week, for god knows how long, Ben Bernanke has been on tele, and every time he's appeared he's been wrong. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQ79Pt2GNJo&feature=player_embedded#t=14 On the other hand, much laughed at Peter Schiff of Euro Pacific... Read More

In those immortal words, uttered by a two legger in a loin cloth - no not Dan in his undies, but George of the Jungle, who I might add played in the 10 leopard skin for the Jungle 15 - and said many a time, 'Watch out for that tree.” Never one... Read More

On the eve of her 18th birthday and succession to the English throne, young Princess Victoria (Emily Blunt) is caught in a royal power struggle. But it is a blossoming love affair with Albert (Rupert Friend) that will determine the strength of her reign.... Read More