PHOTO: Former US Vice President Kamala Harris. PEOPLE
Former US Vice President Kamala Harris is under fire for her surprise appearance at a real estate conference on the Gold Coast — leaving commentators and property insiders questioning if the whole thing was a bizarre PR stunt or just plain desperation.
Sky News contributor and Agenda C Managing Director of Strategy and Policy, Parnell McGuinness, didn’t mince her words:
“I don’t understand this at all. Is someone having a giant joke at her expense? She can’t go back into politics if she’s doing this kind of crap.”
McGuinness’ on-air reaction has gone viral, fuelling questions about what Harris — once the second most powerful politician in the world — was doing addressing a crowd about housing in Australia, a country where she holds no office or official stake.
READ our earlier coverage:
👉 https://www.propertynoise.co.nz/why-is-kamala-harris-lecturing-aussies-on-housing-ex-us-vp-weighs-in-on-australias-real-estate-woes/
A Real Estate Pivot or Political Rebrand?
Harris’ comments reportedly focused on housing affordability, economic headwinds, and building sustainable communities — issues she’s tackled before as part of her domestic policy platform in the US.
But the optics couldn’t be worse, with critics labelling the event a “vanity circuit” play and questioning whether this signals the end of her political ambitions in the US.
“It looks like a fallback career move for someone whose brand in US politics has taken a massive hit,” one Australian commentator noted.
https://www.propertynoise.co.nz/sponsored-unveiling-the-ultimate-australian-real-estate-agents-database-list-over-74000-verified-records-at-your-fingertips/
Gold Coast, Housing Crisis, and Global Guests?
The timing is awkward. Australia is in the thick of a housing affordability crisis, with high interest rates, construction blowouts, and limited new housing supply. Bringing in a US political heavyweight — with no ties to the market — struck many as tone-deaf.
Add to that the fact the event was held on the Gold Coast, long known for its flash, flip, and international investor gloss, and you’ve got a headline-making mix of confusion, controversy and curiosity.
No Shortage of Local Expertise
Backlash has also stemmed from property professionals who argue that Australia has no shortage of local experts and economists better suited to speak on these pressing issues.
“It’s hard not to see this as political tourism,” one attendee said. “We’ve got enough on our plate here without a former US VP parachuting in with vague soundbites.”