Not to alarm you, but we just lived through one of the most chaotic pre-election Aprils in recent memory — and most Australians barely noticed.
Between mushroom murder trials, cookbook copyright drama, and political spam texts arriving like it’s 2019 again, it’s been hard to figure out what actually matters. Oh — and Tesla missed earnings, trade tensions crept back in, and the housing market quietly kept doing its thing.
So, let’s break down what’s real, what’s just noise, and what actually matters for your financial future.
🗳️ Election? What Election?
There’s a federal election in three days — but you wouldn’t know it if you turned on the news, opened your socials, or tried to chat about it at the BBQ.
Between cookbook plagiarism beefs, mushroom murder trials, and the entire country being off-grid for Easter and ANZAC Day, it’s safe to say: most Aussies are more dialled into kitchen drama than ballot boxes.
Bad news for Peter Dutton and the Coalition, who have spent the last month trying to gain traction after a series of gaffes, policy backflips, and being completely drowned out by… well, everything else.
But don’t worry — if the news didn’t reach you, your text messages definitely did.
💬 “H. FONG here from the Trumpet of Patriots…”
Yep, we’re back in spam-text election mode, with political parties pushing the limits of the law to reach voters directly. If you’ve received cryptic, typo-laden texts from candidates you’ve never heard of, you’re not alone.
Technically, these messages are legal under Australia’s electoral laws, which exempt political communication from spam regulations. Whether or not they’re ethical, welcome, or remotely persuasive… well, that’s another story.
Our Take:
As wild as it all sounds, elections do matter — especially when they involve:
Cost-of-living relief
Superannuation policy
Healthcare reform
Tax policy that affects your investments and retirement plans
But the noise of campaigns shouldn’t overshadow your personal financial strategy.
At Wealthlab, we care less about who’s shouting the loudest and more about what you need to stay financially secure — regardless of which party wins.
We’ll continue to monitor the post-election landscape, especially for any major changes to super, tax, or investment policy that might affect your planning. Until then: block the spam, enjoy the memes, and vote with a clear head.
Tesla Misses Earnings (and the Tech Wobbles)
Tesla’s earnings report showed a big drop in profit margins, partly due to aggressive price cuts and softer demand globally.
This dragged the entire Nasdaq index lower, along with other tech giants who reported mixed results.
Our Take:
Even if you don’t own Tesla shares directly, tech volatility matters because:
Super funds are heavily weighted toward global tech giants. If you’ve got international growth funds or ETFs, you have exposure.
Market mood swings: Tech sector wobbles can spill over into ASX-listed tech and innovation stocks.
Dollar impact: Risk-off moves often strengthen the USD, affecting AUD investments and overseas travel budgets.
The lesson? Betting big on “single stock stories” is dangerous.
Balanced portfolios that blend Aussie shares, global exposure, and defensive assets help buffer these tech tantrums.
Geopolitical Tensions: Trade Wars 2.0?
The U.S. and China have reignited tensions over rare earth minerals, AI technology, and military chipsets.
New export bans, tariff threats, and political posturing are all back on the table—and markets are twitchy.
Our Take:
Australia is uniquely exposed because:
We are a commodity-driven economy: Exports like lithium, iron ore, and critical minerals flow heavily to China.
Supply chain risks: Aussie businesses reliant on imported goods (especially tech and automotive) could see higher prices and delays.
Market sentiment swings: Even if fundamentals are strong, fear-driven selling can temporarily hurt Aussie equities.
Short version? Trade wars don’t just hit factories in China or farms in Iowa—they ripple directly into Australian jobs, markets, and retirement savings.
Staying diversified and resisting emotional decision-making during “headline storms” is key.
Aussie Property Market: Still Surprisingly Resilient
Despite interest rates staying stubbornly high, CoreLogic reported April housing prices rose slightly in most capital cities, particularly Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide.
Sydney and Melbourne showed slower growth, but no major cracks yet.
Our Take:
For homeowners:
Tight rental markets and immigration are still underpinning property demand.
Higher interest rates do cap borrowing capacity, but limited housing supply is acting as a floor under prices.
For investors:
Rental yields have improved, making property investment more attractive again—if you’re selective and strategic about location and cash flow.
This isn’t 2022 all over again. Property might not be booming, but it’s far from busting.
Final Thoughts
Between cookbook scandals, mushroom trials, and mystery political texts, this election season has been anything but ordinary. And while the media spins, TikTok theorises, and everyone’s uncle suddenly becomes a constitutional expert — your financial plan shouldn’t flinch.
Elections matter, yes. But not in the way the headlines make you think.
No matter who forms government, the fundamentals remain:
✔️ Spend less than you earn
✔️ Invest in diversified assets
✔️ Stay the course, not the chaos
Your super, your strategy, and your cash flow are designed to weather moments just like this — noisy, uncertain, and full of distractions.
And if you’re unsure how upcoming policy shifts might affect your plan (or just want to vent about that spam message from “H. Fong”) — we’re here. No silly questions.
Stay weird, stay diversified, and yes—still avoid TikTok stock tips.