Out Now: The definitive list of Australia’s wealthiest people, now in its 38th year.
Markets primed for defining week as election, virus collide
Investors are bracing for what is set to be one of the most significant weeks of the year as the US election and rising COVID-19 cases on both sides of the Atlantic loom as potential catalysts for sharp falls.
Palaszczuk won't budge on borders as cases hit zero
The victorious Queensland Premier on Sunday pointed to European lockdowns to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, saying Queenslanders wanted to 'protect their lifestyle'.
Optus dials back into Amaysim; bankers ready takeover documents
Telecommunications bigwig SingTel Optus is in late-stage talks to acquire listed pure-play mobile phone and data business Amaysim.
Don't expect banks to pass on any rate cut in full
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg declined to comment on whether the banks should pass on in full any rate cuts this time around, but some expect a public backlash if commercial banks do not pass any cut on.
Nationwide 'doughnut' no cause to drop guard
Victorian health authorities have urged continued vigilance in the face of soaring case numbers globally as the state marked a weekend of no case growth with its fourth 'doughnut' day in a week and Australia recorded no locally transmitted cases.
- Analysis
- QLD Votes 2020
Premier's sweet revenge on her border critics
Queensland's tourism industry might be on the brink of collapse and the state's economy is up the creek, but Annastacia Palaszczuk's ability to tap into community fears about COVID-19 has paid dividends, writes Mark Ludlow.
Jackie Trad the biggest casualty of Labor victory
Former deputy premier and treasurer Jackie Trad has lost her seat to the Greens, but Labor held off a surge from the minor party in other inner-city seats.
Companies
'Best time ever': Catch founder says pandemic paves way for disrupters
The immigrant-turned-internet retail giant says Australia's business world should expect to hear more from him and his brother Hezi Leibovich.
Retailers fear stock shortages for peak selling season
Retailers are worried about stock shortages because of industrial action delaying container ships heading into the biggest online shopping period and then Christmas.
Business breaks up with Trump
Big business liked Donald Trump's tax cuts but resents being drawn into the President's political fight on issues such as race.
Ares' AMP move was months in the making
Ares has been watching AMP as a possible deal - designed to build on its push into Asia Pacific - since earlier this year.
'This is just a cover story': Melbourne mates defy corruption inquiry
Victorian investigators are using taped phones and secret videos to allege corruption, but two men are adamant they were only benefitting from gambling.
No sanctuary for disgraced developer Craig Gore
From fast cars, helicopters and high-risk developments to a guilty verdict and the prospect of up to 12 years in jail. Where did it all go wrong for the former rich lister?
Banks can't avoid investment to fend off disruption
ANZ's results this week showed record levels of spending on technology. Its CEO says this is necessary to safeguard its future.
Markets
Markets primed for defining week as election, virus collide
Investors are bracing for what is set to be one of the most significant weeks of the year as the US election and rising COVID-19 cases on both sides of the Atlantic loom as potential catalysts for sharp falls.
- Opinion
- US votes 2020
Why the Democrats may go nuclear
If the blue wave is big enough, the Democrats may be sufficiently emboldened to make dramatic legislative changes, forcing the market to pay attention.
RBA's rate cut to 'hurt recovery', savers
Former Reserve Bank board member Warwick McKibbin, along with fund managers and bankers, is suggesting that rate cuts and QE could undermine the economy now.
AMP investors still bullish on break-up despite offer
AMP's confirmation of the offer sent its languishing share price soaring, but shareholders maintain the company won't survive in its current form.
Techs plummet as Wall St ends worst week since March
Better than expected third quarter results from Apple and Amazon, among others, failed to offset angst about the spread of the coronavirus in Europe and the US.
Opinion
Palaszczuk is no longer the accidental premier
It's a good time to be an incumbent. As long as you handle crises well.
Political editor
Beating the virus beats politics
Annastacia Palaszczuk's election victory shows the power of incumbency when voters believe a crisis is under control. Events in the UK and the US show the reverse.
Columnist
Palaszczuk's sweet revenge on her border critics
The Queensland Premier's tough border stance has won over parochial voters in the Sunshine State.
Queensland bureau chief
Why I would grit my teeth and vote for Trump
There's no perfect choice, but President Donald Trump has not been bad for our national interest – and would be better for the next four years than Joe Biden, who is well past his prime.
Columnist
Queenslanders vote for safe pair of hands
Presented with two parties offering no clear vision of the future, voters opted for certainty by voting for incumbents and voting for border closures.
Contributor
Invest more than nickels and dimes in Australia's integrity dividend
The phoney political theatre over the Australia Post scandal is exposed by governments starving anti-corruption bodies of the resources needed to police ever-rising public spending.
Contributor
Politics
Jackie Trad the biggest casualty of Labor victory
Former deputy premier and treasurer Jackie Trad has lost her seat to the Greens, but Labor held off a surge from the minor party in other inner-city seats.
Australia records zero new locally transmitted cases
Victorian health authorities have urged continued vigilance in the face of soaring case numbers globally as the state marked a weekend of no case growth with its fourth 'doughnut' day in a week.
SA uni merger becomes a matter of politics
Labor will make a three-way merger an election issue given demands in the South Australian economy.
Palaszczuk wins third term
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has defied criticism about her border policy and been returned for another term in office after Saturday's election.
WA and Queensland borders start to come down
Western Australia and Queensland have relaxed border controls, but maintained quarantine for travellers from regions and states with community transmission.
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World
US Democrats set for a Senate sweep and tax hikes
Joe Biden's $US2 trillion stimulus package, tax hikes and rebalancing the Supreme Court hang on the Senate race.
Johnson bows to the inevitable
The COVID-19 pandemic's escalating second wave has forced British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to abandon his whack-a-mole strategy of localised lockdowns and plunge England into a month-long shutdown.
Fracking and COVID-19: campaign hits fever pitch
Donald Trump signed an executive order protecting fracking and received a surprise poll surge in Iowa. But Joe Biden's lead in most polls is holding steady with just two days of campaigning left in the race for the White House. Follow the day's events here.
- Opinion
- US votes 2020
Tough to reclaim US credibility in Asia after the Trump tsunami
A Biden administration will face a lengthy catalogue of demands from Asia, but these will be overshadowed by the task of repairing the US domestically.
Democrats hold edge with early voting, record turnout predicted
Black voters and those under 30 are turning out in record numbers to cast their ballot early.
Property
Three quarters of homes sell at auction in Sydney, Melbourne
While clearance rates in the two largest cities are booming, they indicate markets playing catch-up – and significant uncertainty remains.
- Exclusive
- Rural property
Rich Lister Tony Haggarty offloads $26m of prime grazing country
Tony Haggarty sold some of his rural investments in northern NSW while adding to his Goonoo Goonoo Station near Tamworth.
Burbank leaves HQ and history on Franklin Street
Central Melbourne's development market is showing signs of thawing after the long hibernation brought on by the pandemic
Adelaide fund manager picks up two NSW Woolies for $37m
Adelaide fund manager Parkstone is tapping investors for $17 million to acquire the supermarkets in Cootamundra and Orange.
Farmers buy back Riverina holding from US fund
All seven properties in the Southern Riverina aggregation offered by TIAA's fund manager Westchester were acquired by local farming families.
Wealth
Dividend pickings set to get richer
Economic growth will revive blue chip payouts as companies with good prospects for a rebound get back to work.
What do I do about my Dixon investments?
Making a complaint to ASIC or joining a class action are some options, writes John Wasiliev who answers your questions on super.
- Opinion
- Flat Chat
Passing the buck when there are no bucks to pass
What happens to the finances and maintenance of an apartment block if owners can't afford the levies?
Technology
China seeks technology self-reliance in five-year economic plan
China's new five-year plan was heavy on rhetoric and light on detail but it has pledged to become self-reliant on technology in the face of US sanctions.
- Opinion
- Sharemarket
Why Disney's focus on streaming gives it a long growth runway
Managing content creation will put Disney in control of making what consumers want most, delivered in the way they prefer to consume it.
Alphabet sales growth back as Google flooded with advertisers
The third quarter revenue growth reflected a bump in spending across each of Alphabet's key ads businesses, including search, YouTube and partner properties.
Work & Careers
Back to the office by PM's Christmas deadline? Don't bet on it
Fear of using public transport remains the biggest hurdle to getting employees back to their desks as companies plan varied office comeback dates.
The stories behind the Nobel women of science
Telling the tales of some of science's most accomplished women was a voyage of discovery for the author of a new book.
Life & Luxury
Meet the Melbourne start-up helping the city's restaurants reopen
For the city's shattered hospitality scene, QR codes – which both NSW and Victoria are considering making compulsory – could offer the secret to its revival.
Sean Connery, the first and foremost 'Bond, James Bond'
Sean Connery brought magnetism, humour and an abrasive edge to his portrayal of James Bond, an essentially British spy who was an ace with women and weaponry.
Tributes paid to 'best Bond ever'
Sir Sean Connery was declared the "best James Bond ever" last night as actors, film producers, politicians and fans paid tribute to one of cinema's greatest stars.
Sex appeal and likeability that never faded with age
Sean Connery remains an overwhelming favourite among Bond fans, but he also brought his considerable charm – and Scottish accent – to many memorable roles.
Why Gai Waterhouse doesn't invest in the sharemarket
The champion racehorse trainer has done well from both moving and fixed assets.
