With a degree of rational debate creeping back into the mining tax forum and with the pent up demand for skilled labour and strategic personnel, I envisage the market will continue to display positive growth. Though commercial optimism is somewhat fragile, it is really the mining/energy and infrastructure arenas that continue to drive demand for labour and key management personnel. The professional services market is also displaying strength in demand with the likes of both legal and accounting firms seeking staff across all levels of their organisations.

Whilst we continue to hear conflicting data on the economy such as "residential real estate" figures, the overall market place will remain fractious. However, in the event of a change in government we should experience a return to normal demands right across the board as investment markets and consumer demand gather pace. If the government of the day retains its position I would expect the commercial market place to sit back and observe what the eventual demands of the Union movement may be and how this impacts the economy.

Whatever government we inherit, I believe the thirst for talent will continue to rise and it will only be the pace that is determined by the election winners!