The state that's still the pick of the bunch for local migration

Queensland is attracting more interstate migration than any other state, as residents flee NSW, data released by the ABS has shown.

The COVID-induced domestic exodus to the Sunshine State has continued with statistics showing a net migration north of 31,070. By contrast, NSW has experienced a net loss of -30,213 residents, the largest population decline of any state in Australia.

The ABS noted that the 12-month review to March 2023 reflected the residual effects of COVID, which saw tens of thousands of Australians moving north permanently when state border restrictions lifted in early 2022.

This growth in population was followed by Western Australia, which also recorded a net migration of 11,121. South Australia recorded a much more modest net increase of 157 new residents. All the other states recorded net drops in population.

Head of research at Hello Haus property advisory, Sam Powell, said the data presented investors with an opportunity to capitalise on possible yields in growth suburbs in both WA and Queensland.

“The big shift both north and west is unsurprising,” he said. “Queensland and WA have relatively affordable real estate, and both offer exceptional lifestyle appeal, plus comprehensive facilities and infrastructure.

“Their prospects look great economically as well. The 2032 Olympics will put Queensland on the world stage, and a resurgence in commodity prices as global economies recover bodes well for WA in the long term too.”

Mr Powell identified three suburbs of Brisbane — Oxley, Boondall and Fitzgibbon — as areas with strong potential for growth. The Greater Perth suburbs of Gosnells and Girrawheen and the Perth locales of Mirrabooka, Caversham and Ballajura, were also likely to be strong performers, he said, based on relatively low median house prices and strong yields.

Klaus Busse would like you to close your eyes and imagine yourself behind the wheel of a Maserati. Picture the GranTurismo, which launched in Australia in 2024. Where do you see yourself? Chances are, Busse suggests, it’s not during the school pick-up or commuting to the office.

“You’re probably on a wonderful road in Tuscany, or Highway 1, or you’re going to a red carpet event,” says Busse, who holds the enviable title of Head of Design at Maserati, the iconic Italian car manufacturer. “Basically, it’s about emotion.”

At the luxury end of the market, the GranTurismo Coupe—priced between $375,000 and $450,000—is designed to transform the driving experience into something extraordinary. For Busse and his team, these “sculptures on wheels” are not just status symbols or exhilarating machines but expressions of pure joy. Their mission is to encapsulate that feeling and translate it into their cars.

“I really feel the responsibility to create emotion,” he says. “We have a wonderful word in Italy: allegria, which is best translated as ‘joyful.’ Our job as a brand is to lift you into this area of joy, perfectly positioned just short of ecstasy. It’s that tingling sensation you feel in your body when you drive the car.”

Even as 60 percent of the world’s population now lives in urban areas, Maserati’s design ethos captures the essence of “everyday exceptional.” Whether navigating city streets or open roads, a Maserati turns heads without being ostentatious or aggressive. “I’ve driven these cars all over the world, and no matter where I go, people smile at me and give a thumbs-up,” says Busse.

Since joining Maserati in 2015, Busse has reimagined and redefined the brand, steering his team through the reinvention of classic models and the transition to electric vehicles. Iconic designs like the Fiat 500, which entered the EV market in 2020, serve as a testament to Maserati’s ability to blend tradition with innovation.

Unlike other luxury car brands, Maserati embraces radical change with new designs every 10 to 15 years. Busse loves connecting with fans who follow the brand closely. He explains that each Maserati model reflects a specific era, from the elegant 35GT of the 1950s to the wedge-shaped designs of the 1970s and the bold aesthetics of the 1980s.

“I often ask fans, ‘What is Maserati for you?’ because their responses tell me so much about how they connect with the brand,” he shares.

Inspired by legendary Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, Busse balances tradition with modernity in his designs. As Giugiaro once told him, “We always do the best in the moment.” This philosophy resonates deeply with Busse, who believes in honouring the past while embracing future possibilities.

Through advances in technology, techniques, and societal trends, Busse ensures Maserati remains at the forefront of automotive design. For him, the creative process is more than just a job—it’s a way to create joy, connection, and timeless elegance.

The state that’s still the pick of the bunch for local migration

ABS data reveals where everyone is moving to — and the states losing out

Ever wondered what it takes to create a car like the Maserati? Meet the German designer taking on an Italian icon.