- Exclusive
- Supermarket inquiry
Emerson’s tougher supermarket code rejects ‘populist’ break-up call
An independent review has rejected the forced break-up of Coles and Woolworths, finding the “populist” ideas backed by the Coalition and Greens lacked “credibility”.
Disclose lobbyist meetings and federal minister’s diaries: NSW ICAC
The policy intervention from the state corruption watchdog comes ahead of its appearance at a Senate Inquiry on Monday probing access to Parliament House by lobbyists.
- Opinion
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Australia should demand accountability for deaths of Zomi and Galit
Consistency calls for Iran and Qatar to be held to account for the first Australian to be tragically killed in the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, writes Alex Ryvchin.
Seven’s cost cuts claim the US ‘job’ of former Sunrise boss
The focus has firmly been on the network’s Spotlight program (and its incredible expense bill). But it seems savings are being made elsewhere.
Treasury Wine puts December deadline on cheaper brand demerger
The country’s largest wine producer says it could split the business to focus exclusively on luxury labels such as Penfolds, where demand is rising rapidly.
Short selling media company long odds for Australia
Defamation claims, insider trading rules and regulatory pressure make the model likely unviable in Australia, says Bronte Capital’s John Hempton.
ASX to rise, hot US jobs reinforces rate cut delay fears
Futures indicate the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 is poised to rise 0.5 per cent, or by 38 points, at the start of trade on Monday. Traders cut their expectations of an RBA cut in September.
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MONDAY MEDIA
Seven’s cost cuts claim the US ‘job’ of former Sunrise boss
The focus has firmly been on the network’s Spotlight program (and its incredible expense bill). But it seems savings are being made elsewhere.
Short selling media company long odds for Australia
Defamation claims, insider trading rules and regulatory pressure make the model likely unviable in Australia, says Bronte Capital’s John Hempton.
Nine and Foxtel in battle for Tabcorp’s Sky Racing channels
Tabcorp has held discussions with both News Corp-owned Foxtel and Nine Entertainment about putting its Sky Racing on either Kayo or Stan.
Up in the air: Seven’s new boss braces for impact
Jeff Howard watched ex-Seven producer Taylor Auerbach give evidence on Friday while flying back from Adelaide, two weeks before he takes over Seven’s top job.
- Analysis
- Lehrmann trial
Judge delivers withering review of Auerbach cameo
Justice Michael Lee didn’t see any “noble” intent on the part or the former Spotlight producer.
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Companies
- Opinion
- Aviation
What’s worse than old planes? Not having any at all
Qantas and Virgin Australia face long waits for new jets – a crucial part of their strategy to bring down costs and keep customers happy.
High-profile analyst accuses CGI Glass Lewis of activism on Woodside
Saul Kavonic, of MST Marquee, said the influential proxy advisory group “appears to have lost objectivity and equity in its work”.
CBA joins banks quietly cutting interest-free days on credit cards
The big banks have all been slowly lifting their rates, while Commonwealth and Westpac have also increased annual fees.
Healthscope lenders add McGrathNicol to $1.6b debt restructuring
The advisory firm joins Houlihan Lokey in a quest to work out new terms for Brookfield’s private hospitals group.
Nasdaq hopeful clashes with ATO over $1m tax debt
Innovation Beverage Group, the name behind Australian Bitters Co, has been trying to convince the tax office to remove a default notice published last month.
Nine and Foxtel in battle for Tabcorp’s Sky Racing channels
Tabcorp has held discussions with both News Corp-owned Foxtel and Nine Entertainment about putting its Sky Racing on either Kayo or Stan.
- Exclusive
- Investment banking
Lendlease calls in banks as it mulls structural change
The global property developer is facing calls from its major shareholders to carve off its international division. Its advisers are now exploring its options.
Companies in the News
Search companies
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Markets
BlackRock dominates in Australia as billions flood into crypto ETFs
Brokers say the iShares product operated by BlackRock is the most popular among local investors, with inflows continuing despite volatile prices.
- Opinion
- Sharemarket
Why investors should ignore the sell-off and stay in the game
While the equity rally may have stalled after a blistering first quarter, the market is just starting a new up-cycle which should be measured in years rather than weeks or months.
Wall St extends rally after stronger-than-expected jobs data
All three US benchmarks closed higher as traders opted to focus on the economy’s strength, rather than the fading probability of a June rate cut.
Why Wall Street banks have got it wrong on lithium
Sydney fund manager Ethical Partners says their own modelling shows the battery metal has moved “rapidly back” into balance after last year’s collapse, that will continue to support prices (and the sharemarket).
‘Unequivocal failure’: Activist fund tries to unseat Larry Fink
Bluebell Capital Partners is proposing to oust the BlackRock founder as chairman of the world’s largest asset manager.
Opinion
No hard data to back more costly supermarket regulation
The review represents a welcome move to contain any potential regulatory overreaction while also playing along with Labor’s political diversion to blame the two big supermarkets during the inflation outbreak.
Editorial
Senior US diplomat lets the AUKUS cat out of the bag
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell has spelt out publicly the expectations Washington has of Australia to fight alongside it in the Taiwan straits.
International editor
Australia should demand accountability for deaths of Zomi and Galit
Consistency calls for Iran and Qatar to be held to account for the first Australian to be tragically killed in the Israel-Hamas war on October 7.
Contributor
Compulsory grocery code strikes right balance
The interim report seeks to prevent big supermarkets from abusing their market power while rejecting populist policies such as forced divestiture of stores.
Former Labor minister and economist
Albanese and Biden’s opportunism on aid deaths is contemptible
The confected outrage over the deaths of Australian Zomi Frankcom and her fellow Gaza aid workers goes way beyond the reaction to earlier wartime tragedies.
Columnist
Israel must listen to its friends, not defy them
Israel has to show that it is better than the terrorists of Hamas. That means being accountable for its own behaviour.
Editorial
Reports
AI’s brave new world
Artificial intelligence is being used by hackers to create ever more convincing fakes, but the technology is also giving our leading companies an edge.
Politics
Labor ‘hot mess’ financial advice laws will drive up costs
A group representing financial advisers, stockbrokers, accountants superannuation trustees and investors said Stephen Jones proposals will drive up costs.
States back demands for tax reform review
State and territories have swung their weight behind a Ken Henry-led push to review and overhaul a “mess” of state and federal spending responsibilities
Chinese investment in Australia slumps to record lows
Chinese M&A in Australia has crashed, particularly in mining as it shifts corporate firepower towards Belt and Road countries.
200 rescues but NSW floodwaters begin to subside
Queensland escaped forecast heavy storms on Sunday, but there are still dozens of warnings in place along rivers near Sydney.
Boat arrivals taken to Nauru after reaching mainland
A third boat has made it to mainland Australia in five months, adding to pressure on the Albanese government over border protection.
SPONSORED
World
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
How many ‘mistakes’ are Israeli forces making in Gaza?
Rights groups and aid workers say last week’s fatal strike on aid workers was hardly an anomaly.
![Volodymyr Zelensky: “If they keep hitting [Ukraine] every day the way they have for the last month, we might run out of missiles, and the partners know it.”](http://web.archive.org./web/20240407182917/https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.1989%2C$multiply_4%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_38/t_crop_custom/c_scale%2Cw_140%2Cq_88%2Cf_auto/47c6984581e7b720df719ae79575ad7a8a0b213a)
Zelensky warns of dwindling air defence missiles
Kyiv is grappling with a slowdown in military assistance from the West and in particular from the United States.
Trump seeks to outdo Biden fundraiser with glittering Palm Beach affair
The event, hosted by billionaire John Paulson, follows a concerted push by the Trump campaign to tackle a long-standing financial disparity with the president.
- Analysis
- US election
The uneasy truce between Donald Trump and Fox News
Every media outlet in the world is grappling with how to cover Donald Trump, as his pronouncements become more stuffed with false claims. But the dilemma is most vexing for Fox News.
Weekly protest in Israel turns sombre after hostage’s body found
The Israeli military said on Saturday that it had retrieved the body of Elad Katzir, 47, in Khan Younis and repatriated him.
Property
As graffiti moves from eyesore to amenity, landlords cash in
From Berlin to London to Miami, graffiti is attracting developers and companies looking for hip neighbourhoods, as well as brands keen to spruik their products.
- Opinion
- Commercial real estate
Going green can deliver gold for landlords
Until now, the property sector has mostly viewed energy and emissions reduction as a cost-cutting exercise. Now the focus is shifting from cost to value.
- Exclusive
- Luxury property
Billionaire Smorgon family to sell family farm Benwerrin
The Toorak-based Smorgons have listed a long-held family farm complete with five-bedroom luxury residence.
- Exclusive
- Property development
The big plan to stop the Sydney exodus
The Minns government will push its zoning reforms, with or without councils’ blessing, as over 70,000 Sydney workers have left for more affordable pastures.
- Exclusive
- Luxury property
Wallabies great snaps up rural retreat in impulse buy
The former Wallabies captain and his wife, Julie, have emerged as the buyers of a luxury rural retreat in the NSW Central West town of Orange.
Wealth
Small caps are ripe for a comeback. Here’s how to pick winners
The life-changing capital gains on offer make the small-cap sector attractive to investors, but success stories are rare among the thousands of companies that bite the dust.
The questions real estate agents avoid (but buyers must ask)
Be aware of the many hidden costs associated with buying a new home.
- Opinion
- SMSFs
What SMSFs need to know as ATO cracks down on illegal access to super
More than $630 million has been accessed illegally from SMSFs. Here’s what you need to know to stay on the right side of the law.
Technology
How tech giants cut corners to harvest data for AI
The race to lead AI has become a desperate hunt for the digital data needed to advance the technology. To obtain it, tech companies including OpenAI, Google and Meta have cut corners, ignored corporate policies and debated bending the law.
Musk denies axing entry-level Tesla in pursuit of a robotaxi
The promise of a fully autonomous vehicle has long been key to Tesla’s lofty valuation, which has tumbled more than one third so far this calendar year.
Canva millionaires made as $US1.6b share sale completes
The design software giant has finalised the first tranche of a share sale it has signalled will reach $3.6 billion, with rich rewards for early staff and investors.
Work & Careers
Graduate jobs market comes off the boil
Australia’s graduate job market has been red-hot, but there are early signs that the number of roles has started to wane.
‘A mishmash’: backpackers not equal under visa rules
Different regulations can apply to countries even from the same continent when it comes to language requirements.
Life & Luxury
Forget sex, drugs and rock’n’roll: kale and kombucha take over touring
Frontier Touring has a new-look team, but it’s not the only thing in the music biz that has changed.
As prostate cancer surges, Australia breaks new ground
As low and middle-income countries await a surge in prostate cancer, Australia is driving ahead with cutting-edge treatments and new ways of solving old problems.
How to make money being Paul Keating
Thank god for writing royalties, says Jonathan Biggins, who reckons politics is stuck on repeat and the new puritanism is hard to poke fun at.
Think you know this week’s news? Answer these 10 questions
Have you been paying attention this week? Test your knowledge across politics, business and world news.
The strange Chinese murder behind Netflix’s ‘3 Body Problem’
The billionaire with the film rights to the cult sci-fi novel was killed in a plot “as bizarre as a Hollywood blockbuster”.
