- Exclusive
- Commercial real estate
Rich Lister Andrew Forrest's big push into property
Billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest has made a strategic push into real estate through his private investment company Tattarang, as the group ramps up its portfolio beyond resources.
- Live
- Markets Live
ASX hits eight month high; REA, Domain at record highs
The Australian sharemarket has risen to its highest level since March 5; Joe Biden has been declared President-elect; Karoon Energy completes Bauna acquisition; Tabcorp restores services following Saturday outage; Crown Melbourne set to reopen.
- Opinion
- Tax avoidance
ATO loses landmark gold case, creating a budget hole
The Australian Taxation Office faces a budget black hole of more than $1.15 billion after it lost one of its most controversial tax cases on Friday.
- Live
- US votes 2020
'Prank-fest': Trump fraud appeal overwhelmed
Trump campaign aides trying to collect examples of voter fraud have been flooded with non-stop prank calls; the President did not turn up on a conservative broadcaster's show as expected, and Joe Biden visited his son's grave after attending church. Follow updates here.
- Opinion
- US election
The left can't ignore the help it gave Donald Trump
America's poor want jobs, not welfare or patronising socialism. Trump got this, but the progressives do not.
'Extreme and unrelenting' pressure on ABC
A senior ABC journalist has hit out at "extreme and unrelenting" pressure being applied over an investigation into the conduct of some of Australia's most senior politicians.
Coronavirus cases total top 50 million globally
Coronavirus cases have topped 50 million, with the US representing a fifth of all cases. Both NSW and Victoria have recorded no new locally acquired COVID-19 cases. Follow the latest updates.
AMERICA VOTES
- Opinion
- US votes 2020
![Barack Obama and Joe Biden, pictured in 2008.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Obama's presidential style gets another term
Joe Biden is not so much an agent of change, as a reversion agent – he was elected to Make America Able to Sleep Again.
![Lael Brainard is in the mix as Joe Biden's Treasury secretary.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Biden and transition team ready to move on cabinet picks
The US President-elect and his transition team are expected to move quickly to fill positions in his cabinet, although he may be forced to make more moderate selections if Republicans retain control of the Senate.
![Artist Suzanne Brennan Firstenberg walks among thousands of white flags planted in remembrance of Americans who have died of COVID-19 near Robert F Kennedy Memorial Stadium in Washington.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
A 'terrifying’ COVID-19 surge will land in Biden’s lap
The President-elect is in line to inherit one of the most serious and complicated national crises that any incoming president in more than a half-century has faced.
- Analysis
- US votes 2020
Biden – and science – will change how the pandemic is managed
Public health officials hope there will be a definite shift towards the science of containing the pandemic once the President-elect takes office.
Trump continues to defy election results as world moves on
Republican officials and allies splinter between nudging the President to accept defeat and encouraging him to fight.
Companies
![](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
NSW energy plan raises worries on risks for consumers
The state's big plan to transform its energy market towards renewables is loved by clean energy investors but consumer groups and other energy suppliers are worried.
![Nine](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Top 100 companies improve ATO compliance
Scrutiny of the tax affairs of companies paying more than $34 billion to the ATO shows signs of improved compliance.
![Coca-Cola Amatil's independent directors, led by CEO Alison Watkins, left, and chairman Ilana Atlas, may have been premature in recommending CCEP's offer.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Coca-Cola Amatil shares rise as investors anticipate higher bid
At $12.65, Amatil shares are trading just 10 cents short of Coke Europe's offer.
![Alice McCall in her Paddington boutique in 2014, celebrating ten years in business.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Alice McCall becomes yet another fashion victim of COVID-19
Citing COVID-19 and 'unsustainable' rental agreements, the 16-year-old label will shut stores and lay off employees.
Nine, Stan sign $100m broadcast deal with Rugby Australia
Nine is launching Stan Sport with a deal which grabs the rights to Super Rugby and Wallabies Tests.
Eyeing $US1b turnover, Sezzle turns to 'win-win' financing structure
The US-focused buy now, pay later player has said a structure that sees it borrow from its own merchant clients is part of its capital management plan.
Crown Melbourne cleared to open as regulators circle
The move will see every second electronic gaming machine or table game deactivated and patrons limited to 90 minutes per day in the casino.
Markets
- Analysis
- Fintech
![Paypal is a popular stock with younger generation Robinhood investors.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
PayPal's rise leaves buy now, pay later sector on knife edge
Whether investor enthusiasm for the buy now, pay later sector is out of control and fuelled by government stimulus, or justified, is yet to be determined.
![From left: Quest Asset Partners Troy Cairns, Michael Evans and Chris Cahill outside their office in Milsons Point.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Quest: the quiet achievers of the Australian equities market
For 15 years, Quest Asset Partners has gone about picking winners and avoiding losers in the Australian market.
- Exclusive
- IPO
![Universal Store CEO Alice Barbery was chief operating officer for seven years before taking the top job in 2017.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
TikTok generation to fuel Universal Store float
Universal Store chief executive Alice Barbery says her Gen Z customers haven't been hit by the pandemic in the same ways as other consumers.
Macquarie's MIRA bids for ASX-listed farm owner Vitalharvest
Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets had made a $1 a unit cash bid for ASX-listed agricultural land owner Vitalharvest Freehold Trust.
Transurban on road to recovery after tough year takes its toll
The company's outlook is improving in Australia as the number of COVID-19 cases drop but the US remains a difficult market.
Opinion
Morrison left exposed to climate damage by Biden win
By refusing to budge on setting a net zero date, Canberra risks being forced to act anyway.
Columnist
With Australia-China relationship at a critical point, can Biden help?
With Australia's relationship with China at a very dangerous stage, the timing of what is expected to be a 'more nuanced' approach from a Biden administration could not be more welcome.
Political editor
Shadow haunts Biden's promise of a brighter future
Joe Biden is appealing to America's 'better angels' over its 'darkest impulses', but is it even possible for the US to dream of ending the country's bitter polarisation?
Columnist
A stronger Australia is needed for post-Trump America
A Biden presidency will not resolve Australia’s strategic dilemma. The country needs to continue to protect its sovereignty and build a stronger economy.
Editorial
President Biden has no option but to govern from the centre
The tight election means Joe Biden will have to run a moderate administration. That's good for America after the hyper-partisanship of the Trump years.
Columnist
No return to the America of old
In a society rent by deep domestic cleavages, it is wishful thinking to expect a Biden presidency to restore America's historic leadership role in the Asia-Pacific region.
Columnist
Politics
![Chinese imports from Australia have fallen 6 per cent this year.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
China adviser urges Morrison olive branch to halt trade war
An adviser to China's Commerce Ministry says there are things the Morrison government can do to salvage Australia's most important trade relationship.
![Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's JobKeeper scheme has helped out Australia's largest listed companies to the tune of $1.8 billion.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Tribunal fast-tracks JobKeeper eligibility challenge
A tribunal is considering an appeal over the federal government's eligibility rules for JobKeeper, a challenge which could result is more small businesses receiving the payments.
![Prime Minister Scott Morrison at Kirribilli House.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
PM to test China with veto powers
The foreign relations bill would give the Commonwealth wide powers to veto agreements between the states, local government and universities and foreign powers.
PM will work with Biden on climate but won't change policy
Scott Morrison says he will hold his ground on climate change policy in the wake of Joe Biden's victory. Views differ within Labor.
NSW unveils 'energy superpower' vision, backed by batteries
NSW's blueprint for its electricity sector envisages $32 billion of private investment in energy infrastructure by 2030.
SPONSORED
World
![Aung San Suu Kyi's win will probably be by a lesser margin than the landslide victory that propelled her to power in 2015.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Myanmar's Suu Kyi favoured to win as election gets under way
The National League for Democracy is expected to win a second term in the second general election since the end of decades of military-backed rule.
![Sushant Singh Rajput, who moved to Mumbai from the rural and impoverished state of Bihar, was portrayed as an outsider struggling with the heartlessness of the big city.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Bollywood fights back against prime time slurs
Finding themselves at the centre of a media trial, Bollywood stars say the TV channels' coverage is defamatory and have asked the court to block such reporting.
![](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
'Welcome back America': World leaders greet Biden win
The relief at Joe Biden's victory is palpable in Europe as Donald Trump seemed to revel in goading the Continent over Brexit, trade and the future of the NATO alliance.
Operation Moonshot: How Europe hopes to break the lockdown cycle
As the number of COVID-19 cases mount in Britain and across Europe, governments are praying for a vaccine and trialling large-scale testing to get through the crisis.
Europe to pay painful price for second lockdowns
A $1.2tn EU recovery fund is yet to ride to the rescue, as European economies face at least a two-year journey back to pre-pandemic levels.
Property
![The Vaucluse Road residence designed by architect Bruce Stafford has settled at $30 million.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Derivatives trader makes $30m return to hometown
Andrew Killion left Sydney in 2011, selling his Queens Park semi for $2 million to move to the US. His homecoming is a little more spectacular.
![Vitalharvest owns one of the country's biggest portfolios of berry farms.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Macquarie lobs $300m cash bid to buy Vitalharvest
Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets has lobbed its bid as either a scheme agreement to acquire all 185 million units in the trust at $1 each or failing sufficient support for that, a $300 million offer to buy the assets directly.
![Competition for property on the northern beaches is heating up because of the "drive to lifestyle".](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Pre-Christmas rush begins in Sydney property market
In Sydney 76 per cent of the 776 properties scheduled for auction sold on Saturday, while in Melbourne 68 per cent of 480 homes sold under the hammer.
- Exclusive
- Hotels
Mondrian hotel to open on the Gold Coast in 2023
Hotel operator Accor CEO Simon McGrath says domestic and international tourism will begin to normalise over the next few years.
- Exclusive
- Commercial real estate
Larry Kestelman shoots basketball and property goals in Glenorchy
The Rich List developer and National Basketball League owner has plans approved for a $200 million sports precinct on Hobart's northern edge.
Wealth
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
![BlackRock chief executive Larry Fink, wants to accelerate the fund manager's efforts on climate change.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Fink sees ‘a seismic reallocation of capital’
BlackRock boss Larry Fink says the firm is already winning fund flows thanks to the push by clients to invest with a climate risk overlay.
Meet the Millennial smashing his dad at share trading
What started as a hobby for 31-year-old Tom Lowe, quickly became a friendly stockpicking competition with his dad.
- Opinion
- SMSFs
SMSF trustee guide to navigating way through pandemic
With COVID-19 having moved the goalposts even more dramatically than the GFC, failure to keep up with the changes will be costly.
Technology
- Opinion
- Agriculture
![Australia has great potential to globalise innovative approaches to agricultural production, but it will require a change in government focus.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Australia risks missing out on $700b agrifood tech industry
Exporting agritech is a fundamentally different opportunity than exporting agricultural produce, but the chance to lead the world is being ignored by government.
- Exclusive
- Venture capital
![Future Now Ventures managing partner John Orrock says the fund is on track to close at the upper end of its $80-125 million target.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Remote worker management tech start-up raises funds
Australian venture capital fund Future Now Ventures has backed JESI, a start-up that has built technology to help organisations keep tabs on remote workers.
- Exclusive
- Cyber security
![Paul O'Rourke, the new global head of Cyber for Boston Consulting Group.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
BCG's cyber boss says boards must spend less, take more responsibility
Global consulting giant BCG will run its cyber practice from Melbourne, and its new boss says companies must stop throwing money at the problem.
Work & Careers
![](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
'Brutal' year for Victorian students approaches end
For final-year students approaching the VCE, it's been hard – but there have been some good lessons.
Nursing report goes unanswered a year after it was handed down
The report made sweeping recommendations to reform nursing education, but there has been no official response.
Life & Luxury
![Ultra Violette sunscreen](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
The brand that spotted a gap in the sunscreen market
The founders of Australian suncare brand Ultra Violette are on a mission to make sun protection sexy.
![Rays Hard Seltzer](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Get ready for the summer of seltzers
Alcohol brands are going hard after Australia's summer daytime drinking crowd by marketing all new seltzers and ciders.
![Dean Willemsen.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Wash or wipe? The odd lesson this MD learnt from a yoga guru in India
Since taking up yoga five years ago, Prime Build managing director Dean Willemsen has had his hamstrings stretched and his mind expanded.
![Embraer and Porsche’s "Duet" collaboration.](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Porsche and Embraer are selling a jet and car combo for $15m
The limited-edition pairing of the Phenom 300E private jet and 911 Turbo S supercar includes a custom Porsche Design 1919 Globetimer UTC watch and luggage set.
![Know My Name](/web/20201109043712im_/http://www.afr.com/assets/bea33247.gif)
Donors race to back exhibition highlighting Australian women artists
The National Gallery of Australia's Know My Name initiative celebrates female artists from 1900 to the present day.