Beyond the hubris - why foreign investment matters

Foreign investment brings many benefits – new jobs, more innovation and access to overseas markets. So, why do Australian Governments continue to act in a way that detracts from Australia's ability to attract foreign capital?

Inward foreign direct investment (FDI) to Australia dropped by 26% last year,¹ a tangible demonstration that foreign capital is mobile. Australia needs to resist the temptation to assume that "we have the resources they will come."

Surveys of Australian public opinion show that more Australians are opposed to foreign ownership than are opposed to the death penalty and the Iraq war. Even "illegal immigration" is more popular. Now more than ever we need our leaders to engage in a more constructive dialogue on foreign inbound investment.