Shorten's soak the rich policy backfires
Bill Shorten's soak the rich policies have been getting bolder but this time it may have backfired.
Was the Coles journey worth it ?
When it bought Coles in 2008 it was the biggest takeover in Australian corporate history. Now Wesfarmers is cutting it free. Was the journey worth it for shareholders?
Labor's cash refund grab: What to do?
The biggest losers from Bill Shorten's proposals will be individuals who pay little or no tax, given that the ability to use franking credits to offset taxable income will remain intact.
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.
NAB's internal war over home loan referrals
The NAB "Introducer Program" has survived a decade of in-fighting at the bank between the top leadership team including existing CEO Andrew Thorburn.
PM stresses security at ASEAN summit
Malcolm Turnbull will link security and economic prosperity in a key speech at the ASEAN-Australia summit on Saturday, as Canberra looks to bolster the group and expand its role in the region.
Is Trump surrounding himself with 'yes' men?
Stepping in to replace Rex Tillerson as America's top diplomat is a hardline conservative who will be in lockstep with Trump on North Korea and Iran.
Private companies may side-step franking change
Private companies could be tempted to pay large dividends if they were convinced Labor's imputation policy would be legislated in a bid to exploit the current system.
Aussie's risk controls 'unsatisfactory': CBA
Aussie Home Loans controls over mortgage brokers were deemed "unsatisfactory" and management's awareness of issues were "marginal", a CBA audit found.
Wesfarmers to spin off Coles
Conglomerate Wesfarmers has announced its plan to spin grocery giant Coles off into a separate ASX entity.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Opinion
Dividend rebate ban: stuff-up or calculated gamble?
Much of our recent politics has been about winding back the Howard era's largesse. But retirees have had a gutful.
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.
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.
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.
Hanson softens on company tax cut
The Turnbull government intends putting its company tax cut legislation to a Senate vote as One Nation softens after seeing the flow on effects from Donald Trump's tax cuts.
Turnbull says its up to ASEAN whether Australia joins
It's up to ASEAN whether Australia ever joins, says Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
Rat-a-tat-tat: How IT advances have sped up news
If you're finding it hard to keep up with the whirl of news at home and abroad, you are not alone.
Greens' Alex Bhathal counting on more than luck
"It's not just changing demographics that are responsible for the growing Green vote - it's people like my family," says Greens leader Richard di Natale, who grew up in Reservoir.
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.
Can Trump's art of the deal work with Kim Jong-un?
Preparations for the historic Summit between the US and North Korean leaders have advanced but Seoul remains wary.
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.
Final act in Syrian rebel tragedy
The first region to rebel is about to be retaken by Assad government forces.
Personal Finance
Yet another change makes retirement planning hard
Rajiv Kumar, 49, a father of two and procurement executive at University of NSW, is concerned about another retrospective change to superannuation.
No tears for Boomers who lose franking credits
This Millenial reckons retirees had it 'too easy' and the ALP policy restores the balance.
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.
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.
'He made it cool to be a physicist'
Physicist Paul Davies pays tribute to his friend and colleague Stephen Hawking who made it cool to be a physicist.
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.
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.
Lifestyle
Plastique, fantastique, toxique: Furniture ageing badly
Museums have performed major interventions to put plastic objects on display but some are beyond saving.
