- Opinion
- Federal politics
Public good, private fail as parcel bomb explodes
The government had to call in the states to rescue its vaccine delivery, just as a government corporate entity imploded, writes Laura Tingle.
Packer keeps controlling stake in Crown
James Packer has struck a deal with the NSW gaming regulator which allows him to keep his 37 per cent stake in Crown Resorts and use it to accept or reject takeover proposals.
- Live
- Need to Know
Blood clot patient took AstraZeneca vaccine
An expert group is meeting to consider the death of a diabetic woman who developed clots after vaccination; ANZ pushes for buy now, pay later regulation. Follow updates here.
- Analysis
- Public service
Holgate saga a distraction from elephant in the room
The pandemic-induced boom in e-commerce has given Australia Post breathing room, but the long-term future for its letter business looks bleak, writes Tom Burton.
Lex Greensill cuts himself from Bundy farm records
The Greensill Capital founder offloaded share stakes to close associates just as his financial business was fizzling.
Tech stocks lead strong week for ASX
A surging tech sector drove the Australian sharemarket to a fresh 13-month high this week, as strong economic data and a calming of the bond market supported global equity markets.
‘Shocker’ gas ruling cuts Origin guidance
A shock ruling on a gas price dispute has caused Origin to cut its guidance for full-year profit and looks set to revive gas price worries for east coast manufacturers.
The untold story of how two university friends hatched the perfect crime only to be undone by the desire for more.
THE SURE THING PODCAST
- Opinion
- The Sure Thing
Let’s be ‘smarter’ not ‘harder’ on white collar crime
It is a myth that judges go easy on white collar offenders, and long jail sentences are not always the answer for white collar crime, argues Clinton Free, who featured in The Sure Thing podcast.
- Exclusive
- The Sure Thing
‘I probably felt a tinge of guilt’: Insider trader given second chance
Christopher Hill has been offered a role by the foreign exchange broker who reported him to authorities thanks to his honesty during The Sure Thing podcast.
Listen now: The Sure Thing episode 7
A potential new role for Christopher Hill is discussed during a bonus episode of podcast.
Bonus episode
Join us on April 12 for episode 7 when one of the players comes forward with an offer Chris will find hard to refuse.
Sure Thing ‘drip feed’ wasn’t to create buzz
It’s not just two blokes on the couch. The Financial Review’s The Sure Thing has taken a team of people at least three weeks to produce each episode.
The untold story of how two university friends hatched the perfect crime only to be undone by the desire for more.
Companies
Greensill under investigation for insolvent trading
Administrators Grant Thornton will examine whether Greensill, which has not filed tax returns for the past four years, breached Australian laws if they are given powers to liquidate the group next week.
Sanjeev Gupta once owned a stake in Greensill
Sanjeev Gupta was not only the biggest user of Greensill finance, he was also a shareholder at one point, a report to creditors reveals.
Amatil shareholders approve ‘sellout’ to Europeans
Investors backed Coke Europe’s $9.8 billion offer, but not before one lamented the loss of yet another local company to offshore interests.
Hard border hits truck driver shortage, iron ore exports
Mineral Resources’ Chris Ellison has blamed WA’s hard border for creating a truck driver shortage that has left iron ore ‘sitting idle’.
Woodside CEO transition ‘seamless’: Coleman
Chairman Richard Goyder has rejected talk of tensions that prompted the early departure of CEO Peter Coleman.
- Exclusive
- Health insurance
‘We just need to be bolder’: Craig Drummond’s health plea
Outgoing Medibank chief Craig Drummond hasn’t lost the fire for health reform. He also reveals his retirement plans and why you won’t see him on a bank board.
Google illegally tracked Aussie phone users
Google illegally misled Australian phone users when it kept collecting location data after users thought they had turned off location tracking, the Federal Court has found.
Markets
- Analysis
- Australian economy
Rebound may be less of a miracle than it appears
Fuelled by government and central bank cash, Australia’s economy has more than recovered and is now emphatically expanding, writes John Kehoe.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Lessons remain for quant genius who helped expose Madoff
Dan diBartolomeo helped prove Bernie Madoff was a fraud. He says the collapse of Archegos Capital shows professionals still fall for things too good to be true.
Iron ore shakes off China production restrictions
The iron ore market has shaken off concerns environment restrictions in China would curb the rally in prices, with tight price conditions expected to persist through the rest of the year.
Bonds signal inflation repricing over for now
Bond markets unexpectedly strengthened after another batch of solid economic data from the US, in a sign that this year’s rapid repricing of inflation expectations may be over for now.
Shares close higher; AMP hits new record low
Benchmark iron ore price highest since 2011, Coca-Cola Amatil shareholders approve European sale, Packer can keep 37pc Crown stake, China Q1 GDP hits record 18.3pc, Min Resources cuts iron ore export guidance.
Opinion
Miracle rebound now needs a kick of reform
The biggest economic risk we now face is the obvious lack of any political will in Canberra to adjust the policy settings the OECD says are holding back the recovery.
Editorial
Capping super contributions was never going to fly politically
Even before the government hit troubled waters, meddling with the super guarantee was always laden with risk. Now it would be a suicide mission.
Political editor
Strong jobs rebound prompts budget rethink
The Coalition government will want to be seen to be more fiscally prudent than Labor, but a government struggling in the polls may be tempted to keep juicing the economy before next year’s election.
Economics editor
In the end, it was politics that felled Christine Holgate
Labor set up an ambush for Scott Morrison, who blundered in. And a competent professional woman became the collateral damage.
Political editor
Santos and Woodside are a study in contrasts
Santos and Woodside Petroleum are juggling competing demands as one CEO gets golden handcuffs to stay and another signs off after a decade.
Columnist
Holgate saga an embarrassment for Australia’s political class
The blame for the massive overreaction that cost Australia Post its high-achieving chief executive needs to be sheeted home to the hyper-political culture in Canberra.
Editorial
Politics
The real battle over Australia Post
Behind the drama, controversy and political plot lines of Christine Holgate’s explosive exit, a bigger battle is looming over the future of the national mail carrier.
The woman behind Canberra’s bombshells
The government’s go-to investigator for suspected wrongdoing reveals the biggest issue for integrity in the public service.
Albanese takes aim at ‘creep’ Laming
Labor needs a swing of more than 10 per cent to win the seat of Brisbane, but believes controversy over the departing MP Andrew Laming will boost its chances.
- Exclusive
- Super wars
Budget to bolster women’s super savings
The government is exploring options enabling females to bolster their retirement savings, after deciding against trying to cap the superannuation guarantee.
Top government investigator Vivienne Thom backs Integrity Commission
The government’s inquisitor-in-chief says the public needs to have confidence allegations of corruption will be dealt with appropriately.
SPONSORED
World
China on track to smash government’s growth target
Gross domestic product jumped a record 18.3 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier, official data showed on Friday.
Travel prospects dim as south-east Asia confronts new infections
A spike in new cases threatens Thailand’s plans to restart international tourism, and in Singapore a fully vaccinated worker has tested positive.
Royal grief bubbles up, but without the soap opera
Even in her sorrow, the Queen has skilfully read the public mood and kept the House of Windsor in order.
Biden, Suga to ‘present united front on Taiwan’: US official
The last time US and Japanese leaders referred to Taiwan in a joint statement was in 1969.
US preparing for annual COVID-19 booster shots
Experts say that rapidly spreading variants of the coronavirus and others that may emerge could lead to the need for regular booster shots similar to annual flu shots.
Property
- Opinion
- Property market
Unpacking the link between rates, rents and house prices
New research using the RBA’s internal housing model confirms the boom will be long and strong.
Melbourne’s median house price passes $1m for first time
Property prices rose strongly throughout Victoria during the March quarter, highlighted by Melbourne’s median home price exceeding $1 million for the first time.
Investors defy tougher lending conditions to bid in hot market
Agents claim investors are surging back despite higher borrowing rates and even quarantine.
- Exclusive
- Retail
Newmark nails Bunnings deal as IPO beckons
Assets in the unlisted hardware fund, together with real estate held separately on the Newmark platform, will potentially form the basis for a $500 million float, dubbed the Newmark Property REIT.
CBA, Westpac chiefs: house prices to rise 10 per cent this year
The CEOs of Australia’s two biggest banks have forecast house price growth of at least 10 per cent this year, but moderating as the year unfolds.
Wealth
Buy, hold, sell: Six ETFs for your portfolio
From a fund that gives exposure to Australia’s biggest companies to a huge growth e-sports thematic.
Can I use equity in SMSF property to buy more?
While individual investors can borrow against real estate assets to create a portfolio, this doesn’t work when it comes to DIY super funds.
- Opinion
- Flat Chat
Bungled holiday let rules put on hold
When NSW Planning tried to finish its code of conduct, it was the start of a whole new set of problems.
Technology
Michael Dell’s fortune soars on spinoff optimism
Shares in Dell Technologies surged to a record high, bolstered by its decision to spin off its sake in VMware and extending the life in Michael Dell’s wealth too.
Coinbase spotlights Australia’s blockchain brain drain
Regulatory uncertainty around digital assets is prompting Australian crypto entrepreneurs to move abroad and a Senate committee is searching for a policy fix.
How the FBI tapped an Australian firm to unlock a terrorist’s iPhone
Publicity-shy Azimuth Security came to Apple’s rescue by ending a case that could have led to a court-ordered back door to the iPhone.
Work & Careers
Why women are getting more jobs
Women took almost 80 per cent of the 70,700 jobs added to the economy in March and have recorded their highest participation rate.
The real cost of losing a star performer
Losing a high-potential employee can cost a business two to three times the departing staffer's annual salary.
Life & Luxury
Parrtjima, the greatest desert show on earth, is all heart
Now in its sixth year, the Alice Springs festival casts Indigenous culture and the 300-million-year-old West MacDonnell ranges in a profound light.
Prince Philip was part of the leanest, fittest generation
As with so many aspects of his life, consistency and discipline were key to the Duke’s diet and fitness regime, and never let him down.
- Opinion
- Cars
The best thing about the new electric Mercedes EQS
The EQS sedan has a huge ‘hyperscreen’ that will change how you think of dashboards forever.
Why diamonds may be an investor’s best friend
Leonard Joel jewellery specialist Hamish Sharma hopes to make auction history with a 25.02-carat gem up for auction on Monday.
Rock’n’roll jewellery brand Heart of Bone salutes AC/DC
It’s been a long way to the top for Emma Addams, who is launching the first in a series of capsule collections with a tribute to the band’s album ‘Back in Black’.
