Technology road map takes a punt on ending energy stand-off
Labor has criticised the road map announced by Energy Minister Angus Taylor on Tuesday at the fringes, but not the technologies that have been identified.
It's time to return to the office, say property bosses
The country's biggest office and retail landlords have implored both the business sector and governments to get their staff back working in offices to help reignite the economy in its CBD heartland.
Property titans differ on the future of cities
Not even leaders of the property industry agree on the future of our post-COVID-19 world of work.
Europe offers vaccine makers indemnity over potential side effects
RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle says WA's closed borders and Victoria's shutdown are dragging on the economy; infections could be more common on planes than first thought. Follow updates here.
No rush on negative interest rates, Bank of England boss says
Sterling recovers as markets reset expectations on how soon British benchmark rates might drop below zero.
- Opinion
- Coal
Coal’s last refuge crumbles with China’s renewables plan
China's plan to derive 20 per cent of its primary energy from non-fossil fuels may be brought forward by five years from 2030.
Boris Johnson poised to turn the lockdown screws
After the British PM shifted the disease transmission alert level to 'high or exponential', the only question is how far and how fast he'll go.
Companies
![NBN Co will build a fibre optic cable to a business premises free of charge and then provide its "enterprise ethernet" plan.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
NBN launches $700m bid for Telstra's last stronghold
NBN Co will slash wholesale broadband prices and invest $700 million over the next three years in its bid to dominate the business broadband market.
![Stay between the sneeze-guards: Financial Review Property Summit panellists Dexus CEO Darren Steinberg, Lendlease property CEO Kylie Rampa, Blackstone senior MD and head of real estate Chris Tynan and Domain chief executive Jason Pellegrino.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Sneeze-guards, safety marshals: how to run a COVID-safe event
From thermal scanners to speaker sneeze-guards, the Financial Review Property Summit 2020 gave a glimpse of the future of live events post-pandemic.
![](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Rental support 'can't continue forever'
Scentre Group chief executive Peter Allen says it's time to wind back the mandatory code of conduct that was forced upon landlords and tenants in the early days of the pandemic.
![KPMG partner Amanda Price head High Growth Ventures at the firm.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
KPMG hits pause on new partners after 31 promotions
Strong revenue growth of 13 per cent in the lead-up to the COVID-19 outbreak saw KPMG bring on 31 partners before the economy was hit by the full force of the lockdown.
Dipping into super 'a hit to integrity of the system'
Charter Hall CEO David Harrison says he disagrees with the government's controversial decision to allow Australians to dip into their retirement savings.
Microsoft to overhaul electricity stock exchange
The new system signed up to by the Australian Energy Market Operator should provide a stronger incentive for participants to respond to the rapidly changing dynamics of the market.
NRL return kick-starts Foxtel sport subscriptions boom
Foxtel's boss says sports subscribers across the group – Kayo, broadcast Foxtel and Foxtel Now – have hit their highest level in the 25 years of Foxtel's existence.
Markets
![](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Investment banks to 'step up' M&A financing in 2021
Investment banks with a balance sheet at their disposal will play a bigger role in post-pandemic property merger and acquisition activity, says UBS' Tim Church.
![The ASX has closed sharply higher.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
ASX falls 0.7pc to three-month low on global lockdown fears
The ASX sank to a three-month low on Tuesday as investors worried about potential new lockdowns in Europe as COVID-19 cases threaten to spiral out of control.
- Analysis
- Big four
![Virgin Money shares surged following Boris Johnson's thumping election win in December.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Negative rates haunt Virgin Money, bank investors
The bottom might not be in for Australian bank investors given tepid inflation and the lessons from overseas banks.
ASX marks fourth straight decline as virus bites
ASX slides 0.7pc to hit 3-month low; Xero rises 4.4pc as tech, staples offset some falls; Pengana exits FAANGs after price run.
RBA eyes 'bumpy' recovery and more stimulus
RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle says the jobs recovery will be a slow 'grind' even if the unemployment rate may not hit a forecast 10 per cent, as he flagged new potential monetary policy stimulus.
Opinion
Long runway ahead for western Sydney's aerotropolis
Some 50km west of Sydney's CBD, the NSW government has grand plans for a thriving parkland city as a model for Australia's future economy. How realistic that will prove is a work in progress.
Columnist
Energy politics transition from coal to gas
Scott Morrison has broken up with coal, but is trying to keep the Coalition's conservative base united by pushing gas-fired power.
Contributor
Australian Chinese trapped between Beijing bullies and Canberra spooks
Greater transparency about Australia's counter foreign influence activities is needed to protect people of Chinese heritage who fear being targeted by security agencies for speaking about China.
Contributor
Keating or Morrison, the recession solution is the same
The October 6 federal budget may be about the future but its measures will be firmly rooted in the past.
Political editor
Standing army is crossing line by helping suppress virus dissent
The ADF's proper role is national defence, not assisting the Victorian police crackdown on protests against the lockdown.
Columnist
Beware the long arms of American and Chinese law
Without common international rules, third countries may increasingly find themselves torn between the competing extraterritorial demands of Washington and Beijing.
Columnist
Politics
![](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Voter backlash over koalas a concern as Nationals fallout continues
Former NSW Young Nationals chairman Jessica Price-Purnell is the latest high-profile party member to quit amid the fallout from the failed koala coup.
![Kym Peake appearing at the hotel inquiry.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Bureaucratic fog descends over key quarantine decisions in Victoria
Accountability remains unclear when it comes to big decisions in the Victorian government's response to the second wave of COVID-19 infections.
![QCs Philip Crutchfield, left, and Michael Borsky are among senior legal figures alarmed by the proposed laws.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Judges, QCs alarmed over Andrews' new emergency powers
A group of retired judges and Melbourne QCs has written to the Andrews government expressing alarm over laws they say are 'unprecedented, excessive and open to abuse'.
ABCC pursues senior management over non-union ban
A chief executive and three senior managers are facing huge fines for allegedly banning a subcontractor from site because they didn't want to upset the union.
Facebook defamation: $800k payout for Nats MP
Dr Anne Webster, her husband and their charity were defamed in 'disgraceful' Facebook posts by a woman who claimed they were part of a paedophile ring.
SPONSORED
World
![Arthur Sinodinos: "It can't be a situation where we're being asked to essentially compromise our national interest to safeguard our economic interests."](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Sinodinos urges Biden, Trump to revisit TPP and share China burden
With Australia facing 'bumpy' times because it is standing up to China, the US should reconsider joining the 'strategic' Trans-Pacific Partnership, says our ambassador to Washington.
![Police in the Spanish capital and its surrounding towns are stopping people coming in and out of working-class neighbourhoods in the city's south.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Madrid calls on army to help battle latest virus surge
At the height of the first wave of the pandemic in March-April, Spain deployed thousands of troops to help civilian authorities contain the outbreak.
- Analysis
- China relations
![Show of resolve: Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
China's threats of war push Taiwan towards US
President Tsai Ing-wen has one major problem: The Communist Party is threatening her life, with its Global Times newspaper saying she would be 'wiped out' in a war.
Hong Kong activists detained in mainland China denied family access
The 12 detainees, ranging in age from 16 to 33, were travelling by speedboat to Taiwan when they were detained by the Chinese coast guard.
Johnson edges closer to second national lockdown
Boris Johnson is set to impose new restrictions on nightlife, including the forced early closure of pubs and restaurants in England.
Property
![The property market has proved resilient.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
High-end home sales strong as property emerges unscathed
Lendlease head of property Kylie Rampa says Australia's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has attracted buyers back into the premium end of the market.
![](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Top property stocks face buyout threat
Negativity over office towers and retail malls could ultimately be the catalyst for major corporate action.
![Gilbert and Tobin's special counsel Nicola Clayton told the Summit that there is a spirit of collaboration between lenders and borrowers regarding valuations.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Property lenders tout pandemic collaboration
Australia's largest property lenders say it would be a mistake to sit on their hands, even in such an uncertain environment.
Sydney mansion sells for more than $30m
It's second time lucky for press scion Alexander Ma’s Vaucluse house, after a mystery buyer lost more than $3 million by walking away from a previous deal.
Property leaders' plea: Open the borders, end the lockdown
With Victoria recording just 11 new coronavirus cases on Monday, property executives are urging the southern state to accelerate plans to reopen the economy.
Wealth
![Cruelty Free Super has cut fees by $5 a year.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Ethical super fund drops high fees by a 'cruel' $5
Investors in Cruelty Free Super won't even pocket enough for a serve of smashed avo on vegan toast from the the group's self-proclaimed 'significant' fee cut.
Millennials deserve better advice
Ahead of a massive transfer of wealth, beneficiaries are ill-prepared for the responsibility of wealth stewardship.
- Opinion
- Ethical investing
Case for sustainable investing
Irrespective of whether you want to make the world a better place or you want to make higher profits, it's not a fad but a key consideration in SMSF portfolio construction.
Technology
![QAnon groups, which have cast President Donald Trump as the hero in their baseless conspiracy, have spread and amplified misinformation surrounding the election.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Facebook failed to limit QAnon
The QAnon movement has proved extremely adept at evading detection on Facebook under the platform's new restrictions.
- Analysis
- Cyber security
![Icons for the smartphone apps TikTok and WeChat.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
TikTok deal exposes a security gap, and a missing China strategy
The Trump deal involving Oracle has not resolved the larger security risk that foreign apps pose when their codes are controlled by a foreign power.
![TikTok Global's board of directors will include ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming (right).](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
ByteDance insists TikTok will remain its subsidiary under Trump deal
The Chinese company said it would own 80 per cent of TikTok Global, a newly-created US company that will own most of the app's operations worldwide.
Work & Careers
- Exclusive
- Best places to work
![Bridget Loudon's Expert360 is fourth on LinkedIn's top start-ups to work for.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
The top 10 start-ups to work for in Australia
From digital banking to e-learning, these are the 10 companies that have proved resilient to the downturn – and where Australians want to work.
- Opinion
- Property Summit
Why you'll soon be back in the office
The retreat from the office was for health reasons. So bosses will ultimately ask: If you feel safe enough to go to a cafe or pub why do you not feel safe to return to the office?
Life & Luxury
![Airbus' ZEROe “blended-wing body” concept design.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Airbus reveals hydrogen designs for zero-emissions flights
The approaches include a turbofan jet with capacity for up to 200 passengers, which can fly more than 3700 kilometres, a flying-wing concept with 200 seats.
![The University of Sydney's extensive art and antiquities collections now have a new home: the new-build Chau Chak Wing Museum.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
From Norfolk to the Top End, isolation remains popular
From the island that once haunted dreams to a wartime Sydney tour and a festival of lights in the Red Centre: you can have a bucket-list holiday at home.
![We will not forget about beauty, says Roger Vivier creative director Gherardo Felloni.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Roger Vivier makes a sumptuous case for wearing heels again
The creative director of the storied Parisian footwear brand doesn't think glamour is going anywhere just yet.
- Opinion
- Review
![The Apple Watch Series 6.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
New Apple Watch's best features aren't new at all
Despite our misgivings about the new features in the Apple Watch Series 6, it's actually pretty great.
![Eugene Levy accepts the outstanding lead actor in a comedy series award for "Schitt's Creek" as his son and castmate Dan Levy looks on.](/web/20200922115321im_/https://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Schitt's Creek takes a paddle to the Emmys
Schitt's Creek swept the awards for comedy, capping its rise from a Canadian sitcom with a cult following to one of the most celebrated shows on TV.