Momentum Leaders

In this episode of the Defence Connect Podcast, managing editor Steve Kuper speaks with Andrew Henderson, director of AgSecure and a leading voice on agricultural resilience, biosecurity, and national preparedness.   Together, they explore the recently released National Food Security Strategy discussion paper, the importance of critical inputs like fuel and fertiliser, the implications of trade disputes, and the growing need to integrate food systems into defence planning.   The pair also discuss why food security is no longer just an agricultural issue – it’s a national security imperative. With global supply chains under pressure, climate risks mounting, and adversaries willing to target agricultural systems through biosecurity breaches or even agroterrorism, Australia faces a complex challenge in safeguarding the nation’s food and fibre production.   From the risks of varroa mite and foot and mouth disease to the opportunities of regional self-reliance and biotechnology, Henderson outlines why food security must be elevated to the same level of priority as Australia’s defence posture – and why a secure Indo-Pacific is, ultimately, a well-fed one.   Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

In the current climate, maintaining psychological safety in law departments requires much more than box-ticking – a stronger focus on culture, and use of AI to ensure greater focus on human issues, is paramount moving forward, says an award-winning and GC Powerlist-recognised group general counsel.   In this episode of Momentum Media's The Corporate Counsel Show, host Jerome Doraisamy welcomes back former group GC of Tabcorp, Ivana Kovacevic, who now serves as a fractional GC and advisory board member for Thomson Reuters Practical Law, and keynote speaker, to discuss the importance of building psychological safety in legal teams in the current climate, her perception of what constitutes psychological safety for law departments, and how well the in-house sector is faring when it comes to ensuring such safety. Kovacevic also delves into the need to move beyond compliance box-ticking, the urgency is prioritising psychological safety, the starting point for in-house teams in creating and maintaining psychologically safe working environments, catering to idiosyncratic needs within one’s team, practical steps she has taken within her own teams and what has worked, making time to implement changes, using AI to take a more human approach, leading by example, and the need to be curious and vulnerable.  

In this episode of the Momentum Media's REB Business Empowerment Showcase, host Emilie Lauer speaks with the chair of the Property Investment Professionals of Australia (PIPA), Lachlan Vidler, to unpack the current state and key trends of Australia’s real estate investment market.   The discussion delves into the latest PIPA investor sentiment survey which reveals the key challenges for property investors, the impact of the three rate cuts, surging demand, limited stock, and rapidly rising property prices.   Lachlan highlights the difficulty of adding new stock to the market, citing construction hurdles, regulatory red tape, and high costs that limit both large- and small-scale investors.   According to the survey, policy changes, compliance costs, and land tax pressures are prompting some investors to sell.   Melbourne has emerged as a top choice for investment due to relative affordability, with Brisbane and regional markets also attracting attention, thanks to strong infrastructure and lifestyle appeal.   While nearly 60 per cent still consider it a good time to invest, Lachlan expresses cautious optimism, noting potential rate cuts and first home buyer schemes while urging investors to avoid FOMO and plan strategically.   Did you like this episode? Show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (REB Podcast Network) and by liking and following Real Estate Business on social media: Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.   If you have any questions about what you heard today, any topics of interest you have in mind, or if you’d like to lend a voice to the show, email editor@realestatebusiness.com.au for more insights.

In this episode of the Momentum Media's Contested Ground podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by the Honourable Andrew Hastie MP, shadow minister for home affairs, for a hard-hitting discussion on the shifting nature of Australia’s national security challenges.   No longer confined to conventional defence or counter-terrorism, the security debate now spans economic sovereignty, industrial security, and social cohesion. Against the backdrop of recent revelations of Iranian espionage attempts on Australian soil, Hastie warns that hostile foreign actors are probing Australia’s vulnerabilities, not only in cyber space and critical infrastructure, but in the trust that underpins our diverse society.   Throughout the conversation, Hastie shares how his perspective has sharpened since stepping into the shadow portfolio following his time as shadow minister for Defence. He outlines the emerging contest for resilience – whether in defending supply chains, protecting advanced technologies, or insulating the national economy from coercion.   Kuper presses Hastie on the domestic implications of foreign espionage operations, particularly the way they threaten multicultural harmony and fuel social division. Hastie stresses that Australia must be proactive in countering influence operations, strengthening intelligence partnerships, and reinforcing trust across society.   The discussion then broadens to the strategic importance of resilience, a whole-of-nation approach that prepares Australians not just to respond to crises, but to withstand them.   Hastie points to key policy gaps, from weak industrial capacity to fragmented national planning, and calls for a more integrated framework that links defence, economy, and society into a coherent security posture.   As Australia navigates an increasingly contested world, this episode challenges listeners to rethink what security really means. The conversation offers sharp insights into how Australia can adapt to a new era of threats and why resilience must sit at the heart of any credible national security agenda.   Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

In this latest episode of Momentum Media's  Broker Daily Uncut, host Alex Whitlock is joined by Sebastian Watkins, CEO and co-founder of Aussie Home Loans.   Here, Watkins outlined a bold new vision to transform the iconic mortgage broking brand into a comprehensive platform for the entire property journey.   Faced with a mature broking market where differentiation is key, Aussie is moving beyond finance to disrupt the traditionally fragmented process of buying a home.   Watkins identified the core problem: customers currently juggle multiple relationships with portals, brokers, conveyancers, and real estate agents, leading to a disjointed experience.

This week on UTH, Sonia Gibson, founder of Accounting Heart, joins Imogen Wilson to chat about the importance of business succession, exit strategies, and why more business owners need to take the concept seriously.   Tune in to hear more about: What business succession means and why it’s important. Why such a big gap in business succession knowledge exists. Succession and exit strategy advice. How accountants can facilitate smoother transitions between business owners. Pros and cons of selling to a third party v. family members or employees.   You can contact the Accountants Daily team and podcast host Imogen at imogen.wilson@momentummedia.com.au.  

Gerard ‘Rolfsy’ Rolfs has been in banking for around 40 years and third party for 24. In this time, he has witnessed immense change as the broker channel cemented itself as a core aspect of lending. The senior relationship manager at CBA is now approaching retirement. He joined this special episode of Broker Daily Uncut to discuss his time in the industry and what has helped drive success.   From fax machines to AI, Rolfs has been at the forefront of the manual to digital revolution. The humble beginnings of third party would be unrecognisable to the modern broker.   Despite this, the role of a relationship manager has remained, and genuine, consistent relationships are the backbone of success.

In the latest episode of The ifa Show, Pivot Wealth founder Ben Nash joins host Keith Ford to break down the secrets to leveraging digital platforms for business growth and client engagement while dealing with the compliance challenges that come with professionals communicating in the digital realm.   Nash highlights that his journey into content marketing began as a deliberate strategy to generate leads independently of traditional referral networks and offers practical advice for others venturing into the social media space, suggesting they start by mastering one content format before expanding.   Tune in to hear: Why focus and consistency are key to building traction in online content. How prioritising authenticity is a better method than trying to game the algorithm when building an audience. Whether getting labelled a “finfluencer” is a drawback for a professional adviser. How you can help prospective clients engaging with your content prepare for the advice process.  

In this episode, REB’s Liam Garman is joined by the CEO of Laing+Simmons and president of the Real Estate Institute of Australia (REIA), Leanne Pilkington, to talk about the challenges and opportunities facing the Australian real estate industry.   The duo starts by discussing the upcoming Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing (AML/CTF) reforms, set to take effect in July 2026, which will require agencies to register as reporting entities and implement policies aligned with AUSTRAC’s requirements.   Leanne stresses that while some businesses may manage compliance internally, complex transactions involving foreign investors will need more rigorous checks, and external support may be necessary.   She highlighted that AI and automation can streamline compliance and property management, allowing agents to focus on client relationships.   She further emphasised the importance of building a cohesive team culture through understanding individual motivations, hiring aligned with company values, and clear communication of vision.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, working life has changed significantly. Now, research is starting to identify certain professional and environmental trends that businesses need to be on top of.   In this episode of The HR Leader Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy is joined by the founding board director of R U OK?, Graeme Cowan, to discuss why uncertainty is so prevalent in workplaces in the current climate, why the proliferation of remote and flexible working is a worrying development, the varying levels of trust in the workforce and why it is damaging, a decline in employee engagement and the consequences of not paying attention to that lack of engagement, and the ongoing wellbeing and mental health crisis.   Cowan also delves into the broader business considerations inherent with addressing wellbeing concerns, why the wellbeing focus isn’t working, how and why more managers want out of their workplaces, how business leaders can better support managers, why change leadership needs to improve, and the decline of respect in the workplace.

In this episode of Momentum Media's Defence Connect Podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Dr Ross Babbage, CEO of Strategic Forum and senior non-resident fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.   The pair discuss a range of subjects following Babbage’s recent trip to the United States, including:   Australia’s need to prepare for a more direct involvement in kinetic regional conflict in the Indo-Pacific – including recognising that we are no longer on the periphery of geopolitical competition. The multidimensional depth and facets of the challenges being posed by the People’s Republic of China: Babbage emphasises that China’s strategy includes economic coercion, hybrid conflict and soft power, and that Western assumptions about China's integration leading to liberalisation have proven wrong. How Western governments have failed to effectively communicate the strategic risks to their populations: Babbage argues that public awareness is essential for national resilience and policy support, and that many in the public are willing to act once properly informed. Australia’s urgent need to expand and rethink its defence and industrial capabilities to meet the growing expectations of the new US Trump administration. Enjoy the Podcast, The Defence Connect team

In this special episode of Momentum Media's The HR Leader Podcast, Taylor Dee Hawkins joins the podcast to talk about the moral and commercial imperatives to best practice with management of a workforce that is more diverse than ever before and the benefits that come with it. Host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with Taylor Dee Hawkins, the Foundations for Tomorrow managing director, about the work that she does, the extent to which business leaders are ready and able to lead so many different generations in the workforce, leaders’ cognisance of the need to do so, the dangers in not properly managing workers of all ages, the questions that businesses need to ask of themselves, and the practical steps to be taken.

In this episode of Momentum Media's The ifa Show, hosts Keith Ford and Maja Garaca Djurdjevic are joined by Blake Briggs, chief executive of the Financial Services Council, to unpack what the federal election and new-look Treasury portfolio will mean for advisers and the broader industry.   Briggs explains that Dr Daniel Mulino enters the financial services minister role with a suite of policies announced under his predecessor but not yet completed. He also stresses the importance of a deliberative approach that would allow Mulino to put his own stamp on the portfolio while continuing the reform process.   Listen as they discuss:   The importance of stakeholders engaging constructively with the government on financial services reform. Why the $3 million super tax remains a contentious issue and the need to re-think its design. Where the Coalition will look for economic policy in the wake of its heavy election loss.

Remuneration and incentives have always been a Pandora’s box for business leaders. In the post-pandemic climate, however, in which employee values have shifted, the equation has become trickier.   In this episode of The HR Leader Podcast, host Jerome Doraisamy speaks with TalentCode HR founder and managing director Trudy MacDonald about the difficulties business leaders have long had with implementing successful remuneration and incentive strategies, how COVID-19 spawned a shift in employee thinking around work/life balance, the Great Exhaustion and its implications, the impact of resenteeism, and how difficult it is for employers to cater to idiosyncratic needs of all staff.   MacDonald also reflects on whether employees are staying put right now (following the Great Resignation), employee disgruntlement amid high inflation and a cost-of-living crisis, how the latest WGEA data might impact employee thinking, the steps that HR professionals and C-suite executives need to take, measuring success, and the folly of viewing remuneration as an isolated issue.  

In this episode of the Contested Ground podcast, hosts Major General (Ret’d) Dr Marcus Thompson and Phil Tarrant discuss the heroic actions of Australian soldiers in World War II, before turning to the big issues in the upcoming federal election.   The pair begin the podcast discussing Joan Beaumont’s book, Gull Force, and the treatment of Australian prisoners of war on the islands of Ambon and Hainan. They then discuss the role of Australia’s Reserves in warfare, before unpacking the fundamental importance of seizing and holding ground in warfare. Thompson and Tarrant then turn to the upcoming federal election, unpacking some of the big issues facing Australian society, including housing policy and building forward-looking infrastructure for Australia’s financial future.   Enjoy the podcast, The Contested Ground team

In this episode of the Momentum Media's Secrets of the Top 100 Agents podcast, speaker, trainer and coach Josh Phegan sits down with REB editor Liam Garman to unpack how agents can strive for excellence and what they should expect from the property market over the next 12 months.   The pair begin the podcast discussing what’s in store for the property market over 2025, including the impact of the upcoming “property election” and potential rate changes, before discussing whether it might lead to unforeseen consequences for agents.   The speaker, trainer and coach then shares his top tips for developing one’s mindset and motivation, before discussing common mistakes that he sees as agents adopt new technologies.   Josh wraps up the podcast sharing his must-read books for agents looking to broaden their horizons and continue learning.   Enjoy the podcast, The REB team

With anticipation ramping up for the upcoming federal election, many are keeping a keen eye on the policies and promises given, particularly regarding the nation’s SMEs.   In this latest episode of Finance Specialist, hosts Jack Campbell and Accendo’s Trent Carter discussed the range of government policies, such as Labor’s new national small business strategy, and how they will affect Australia’'s small businesses.   Additionally, Campbell and Carter unpack economic uncertainty around international tariffs, along with some advice for brokers to help them navigate the ever-changing economic landscape.

The pandemic forced many industries to adopt remote and hybrid work structures. Now off the back of COVID-19, some industries are choosing to remain virtual.   Accendo Finance’s Trent Carter discussed these themes in this latest episode of Momentum Media's Finance Specialist. His broking business has gone fully remote, the benefits of which are massive overhead cost savings. Despite this, Carter said there still needs to be connection. While some clients are fine to engage over video call, others can benefit from face-to-face time. This can come in the form of visiting their business or home. This practice of showing up to where they live or work can also give a broker insight into how they operate, strengthening the ability to service them.

In this special episode of Momentum Media's Relative Return Unplugged, we present shadow treasurer Angus Taylor’s address at Momentum Media’s Election 2025 event, followed by a Q&A covering the Coalition’s plans for the financial services sector.   Taylor outlined what a Peter Dutton-led government would deliver for the Australian economy, why the role of financial advisers is “absolutely central” to its economic blueprint, and how the nation’s leader needs to handle negotiations with US President Donald Trump. Tune in to hear about: The Coalition's plans to reshape the economy. How Taylor plans to get the cost-of-living crisis under control. Why the shadow treasurer aims to double financial adviser numbers.

In this special episode, Momentum Media's Annie Kane sits down with Anja Pannek, the CEO of the Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia, to unpack the big issues and opportunities facing the mortgage and finance broking industry in Australia. Tune in to find out: Why the payroll tax issue is threatening industry and borrowers. The value of brokers to the economy and borrowers. Why she believes minimum broker education standards need to be raised. And much more!