Australia is lucky, lucky, lucky. But us, not so much

Australia is known as the lucky country. Kylie Minogue said it, too. (Image: Getty)

Sat, 13 May 2023

In 1964, Donald Horne, an Australian author, wrote a book called The Lucky Country. In spite of the negative connotations in the book, the title has now become a nickname synonymous, of course, with Australia. The term is often used to describe the country's abundant natural resources, wonderful weather, proud history, distance from global problems, and many other forms of prosperity.Horne wrote the book with the intention of portraying Australia's rise to prosperity as being primarily because of luck rather than the strength of i...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Economy

How Pharmac's set-up risks higher health costs

Pharmac's fixed budget discourages use of cost-saving medicines common elsewhere.

Pattrick Smellie 9:30am

The Quiz Free

QuiznessDesk, Thursday, Oct 23

Can you get them all correct without cheating?

The Quizmaster 9:15am

Primary Sector

Agritech is NZ’s future, if it acts quickly enough: BCG report

NZ is still ‘navel-gazing’ about its economic future.

Greg Hurrell 5:00am

Agritech is NZ’s future, if it acts quickly enough: BCG report

Sponsored

NZ risks losing edge as Australia takes lead in cleaner jet fuel

Experts warn SAF delay could cost jobs and growth.

Z Energy

Sponsored

Focus on safety of SME vehicle fleets

Vehicle glass repairer’s work enhances road safety.

Smith & Smith

More Infrastructure

Infrastructure

Marsden Maritime Holdings CEO Rosie Mercer standing down

Marsden Maritime Holdings' chief executive, Rosie Mercer, is stepping down at the end of the year.After three years in the job, she said the decision was a natural transition point for her and the company, as Marsden Maritime Holdings (MMH) was in a strong position and well-p...

Ian Llewellyn 11:20am