Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, arrived in Australia for the first time this past Sunday. She was the guest of honour at the 2025 Australian Real Estate Conference. The scene from the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on the opening day of the conference drew 4,500 impressed real estate agents who came to listen to Harris talk about her life and career.
After his keynote remarks, Harris was interviewed onstage for an hour by real estate veteran John McGrath. She recalled her beginnings and the obstacles she surmounted during her long career in Federal service. McGrath introduced her as “one of the most successful women in history” and noted that “her best work is ahead of her.”
Harris closed with anecdotes from her days as Attorney General of California. She especially pointed to her successful negotiation of a settlement with Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan Chase. She emphasized resilience and determination, stating, “I don’t hear no. I eat no for breakfast. I don’t hear no until maybe the tenth time.” Her message resonated with a lot of attendees. They were motivated by her story, particularly when she spoke about overcoming the internal critics filled with doubt as to her readiness and timing.
The Vice President’s remarks mostly focused on these past endeavors, but he touched on present issues involving artificial intelligence. She raised concerns about the ways in which AI could endanger employment and spread disinformation. In a pointed critique of Elon Musk, she remarked, “It’s important that we remember the 1930s,” stressing the relevance of historical context in understanding today’s technological landscape.
Harris underscored the importance of trust and relationships in leadership, stating, “History has taught us the importance of relationships of trust, of the importance of friendships, integrity, honesty.” She strongly supported innovation but warned that it should not be done at the cost of disadvantaged communities. “One must ask: are there vulnerable people and are we doing what we can to ensure they’re safe?” she queried.
As she wrapped up her keynote, Harris tried to distill her life experiences into some universal lessons for the audience. She encouraged them to embrace ambition and curiosity, sharing, “Imagine… it’s a sign of strength to have some level of curiosity and concern and care about the wellbeing of others.”
The conference ended in a standing ovation with the sounds of Beyoncé’s “Halo” being heard throughout the space. Harris’s visit certainly highlighted her laudable professional accomplishments. It served as a stark reminder of the challenges our society is still grappling with today.