The question to define banking inquiry
The commission will need to find a balance between protecting the consumer and ensuring that banks remains profitable and, therefore, stable.
Dividend rebate ban: stuff-up or gamble?
The immediate problem with Bill Shorten's dividend imputation plan is that it targets retirees who have already had a gutful.
HSF disciplined partner seven years ago
The senior Herbert Smith Freehills partner suspended over allegations of sexual harassment was disciplined seven years after a complaint by a female staff member.
Wesfarmers to spin off Coles in $19.4b sale
Conglomerate Wesfarmers has announced its plan to spin grocery giant Coles off into a separate ASX entity.
RBA warns on rising rate risks
The Reserve Bank has warned investors that a shift higher in global interest rates could impact other asset classes as major governments shift from net buyers to net sellers of bonds.
Lunch with Bob Carr: China, ASIO and diet fads
The former foreign minister has strong views about China, doubts about ASIO and - over lunch with the AFR - reveals a few things he wants to get straight.
Turnbull says its up to ASEAN whether Australia joins
It's up to ASEAN whether Australia ever joins, says Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Action man Rob Scott goes for growth
Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott's move to demerge Coles is all about giving Wesfarmers shareholders a bigger slice of the Bunnings earnings machine.
Two women in line for CEO job at Woodside
Woodside Petroleum chief executive Peter Coleman says he now has senior executives with "time on their side" to lead the next phase of growth after completing a major leadership overhaul.
'Not good enough': Aussie waits for banks to act on fraud
Aussie Home Loans told the banking royal commission it relied on lenders to detect fraud by brokers, saying it doesn't have the resources but hopes to in the future.
Inside Lowy's $32b M&A; deal
How the deal happened: The inside story of how Westfield's Frank Lowy consummated the largest M&A; deal in Australian history.
Lew's Premier profit jumps on pencils, PJs
Solomon Lew's Smiggle and Peter Alexander brands have posted strong double digit sales growth in the first half.
Complacency still rules markets
What happened to weighing up risk versus reward? RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle puts on his investor hat - and doesn't like what he sees.
Coles spin-off lifts ASX to flat finish for the week
The S&P;/ASX 200 Index was higher on Friday and almost flat for the week as the Wesfarmers spin-off boosted spirits.
Is the bond market's calm about to break?
Will massive shifts in global bond markets induce volatility than infects other asset classes? It's a question taxing the mind of one of the world's top central bankers.
Markets: Wesfarmers leads ASX gains
Australian shares are higher today with Wesfarmers' demerger plan for Coles giving the market a shot in the arm.
Opinion
Action man Scott goes for growth
Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott's move to demerge Coles in a transaction that could value the supermarket chain at up to $18.5 billion is all about giving Wesfarmers shareholders a bigger slice of the Bunnings earnings machine.
Is the bond market's calm about to break?
Will massive shifts in global bond markets induce volatility than infects other asset classes? It's a question taxing the mind of one of the world's top central bankers.
Complacency still rules markets
What happened to weighing up risk versus reward? RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle puts on his investor hat - and doesn't like what he sees.
What Shorten's tax plan means for investors
Labor leader Bill Shorten is certainly bold when it comes to assaulting the financial heartlands of Australian housing, equities and super.
Pensioners better off under Labor: Shorten
Labor has insisted its controversial dividend imputation policy will mostly target people on high incomes while the Greens appealed to conservative voters in Batman to back them.
Kingmakers at the ready in cliffhanger SA election
Nick Xenophon says if Labor or Liberal can't form a majority, whoever has the most seats will be a crucial factor in who he might back.
Summit is a diplomatic coup for Australia
The ASEAN meeting puts Australia front and centre with an organisation that remains arbiter of what is legitimate in the region's geopolitics.
Weatherill gives final pitch from scene of Frydenberg stoush
It was Garage 2.0 for Jay Weatherill as he returned to the scene of his infamous verbal stoush with Josh Frydenberg to ask for another term.
Joko Widodo seeks deeper, closer ties with Australia
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has sought to reassert his country's role as a regional leader saying Australia should join ASEAN.
Nerve gas allegation is 'bad sci-fi,' says Russia
Putin's envoy says Australia should not accept allegations about his role in the British attack.
ASEAN tug of war
This weekend Australia has a rare opportunity to join regional powers in nutting out their approach to the ramped up, geostrategic tug of war that is now the ghost at every diplomatic table.
China to name veep to handle Trump
Wang Qishan, a former banker who loves the House of Cards, must try to stop a trade war.
Jokowi courts Islamists for sake of economy
Jokowi is now openly courting the country's conservative Islamic base both in an effort to keep the peace but also so it won't derail his agenda.
Final act in Syrian rebel tragedy
The first region to rebel is about to be retaken by Assad government forces.
Personal Finance
Labor's tax plan will hit carers too
Primary carers who leave the workforce to raise their children and rely on dividend income will also be affected.
What Shorten's tax plan means for investors
Labor leader Bill Shorten is certainly bold when it comes to assaulting the financial heartlands of Australian housing, equities and super.
Property better than super say investors
More than half of all Australian real estate investors say an investment property is a better retirement strategy than superannuation.
Coles' new CEO isn't afraid of change
The last time Steven Cain worked at Coles, he upset so many people he was fired. Now he will be the CEO.
Dublin calling as post-Brexit base
Your European headquarters should actually be in Europe, Ireland's Justice Minister has been telling Australian CEOs.
HSF to dismiss partner over sex harassment claim
Herbert Smith Freehills has suspended a senior partner and issued a "notice of intention to dismiss" him over sexual harassment and misconduct allegations.
Peter Gordon's bullish move back into labour law
Lawyers are calling it "Slater + Gordon Mark II", but Peter Gordon insists it is its own firm, dialing back to the traditions of labour firms.
Lifestyle
Hotel boom blasts into 'bland' Brisbane
When it comes to exciting new hotels, it's no longer all about Sydney and Melbourne.
