Exclusive Insights from Aussie John

As part of  the lead up to the end of 2009, in December Julia Ross hosted an informal business breakfast at her home celebrating the end of a challenging year. She was joined by Guest Speaker, John Symond AM, Founder and Executive Chairman of Aussie, who discussed prospects for the year ahead. Key insights provided included:

• John expressed the opinion that for the "average" Australian, 2010 may in fact be a harder economy, given forecasts in interest rate rises and reduction of government stimulus.
• The possibility was raised of a risk in a higher number of potential mortgage defaults in the later part of the year.
• Whilst the government is still forecasting peak unemployment to reach 6.75%, John felt that we had probably reached our peak with unemployment.

John is widely credited with bringing competition to the Australian home lending industry, forcing the banks to drop their mortgage interest rates and lifting their service levels. As pictured below, the breakfast was attended by athlete Jane Flemming, fashion icon Carla Zampatti AC, cosmetics queen Imelda Roche AO, and Ashard Ali and Charles Jobson of Westpac amongst others.