Today
- Analysis
- Roads
Sydney’s toll road overhaul is set to target the rich
Drivers who live in some of the city’s priciest suburbs may pay extra, but the benefits of reducing fares on many of its other motorways will be worth it.
- Jenny Wiggins
This Month
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Surely everyone knew the CFMEU’s dirty secrets?
Given the money flows between the union, criminals, building companies and the Labor Party, cleaning out this poison must surely require action by federal or state corruption bodies.
- The AFR View
Inside AirTrunk’s pitch to the world’s heaviest hitting investors
Also around the boardroom table: the same Blackstone team who ruled off a $US10 billion ($14.8 billion) takeover of QTS in 2021
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Transurban contracts have ‘concerning’ lack of transparency: inquiry
The findings of a NSW parliamentary probe called after the opening of the Rozelle Interchange comes ahead of a government review into Sydney’s toll road system.
- Jenny Wiggins
- Investigation
- Building Bad
Caught on film: How Setka and the CFMEU wield their power
Videos show John Setka delivering a suitcase message to a rival’s home, and other officials issuing threats and boasting of the union’s total control.
- Nick McKenzie, Ben Schneiders and David Marin-Guzman
- Investigation
- Building Bad
Bikies, underworld figures and the CFMEU takeover of construction
‘It’s a cancer that spreads ... we’ll all pay for it’: This is the investigation into CFMEU power that prompted union boss John Setka to quit.
- Nick McKenzie, David Marin-Guzman and Ben Schneiders
Macquarie-owned water company faces $103m fine
Britain’s water regulator said Southern Water is too heavily geared, and must pay a fine if it doesn’t improve its “inadequate” business plan.
- Hans van Leeuwen
AustralianSuper, Gold Coast Council fly into Queensland Airports sale
The super fund is said to be weighing a sole bid, even though it would be in hot demand with overseas bidders seeking a local partner.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Aurizon acquisition could push up cargo prices: ACCC
The company’s attempts to move into stevedoring in South Australia as it expand its bulk freight business could be used to “frustrate” rivals, the regulator said.
- Jenny Wiggins
Transurban beds down new executive team after restructure
An operations manager has left Transurban’s Brisbane office as the toll road group’s new executive management team tries to shake off claims it breached the Fair Work Act.
- Jenny Wiggins
Transurban denies employee fired for whistleblowing
The toll road group has asked courts to dismiss a claim brought by a former employee who alleged he lost his job after alleging coercion, manipulation of company records and safety failings.
- Jenny Wiggins
June
$11b swoop on ASX building giants leaves James Hardie the lone prize
The CSR, Boral and Adbri buyouts come at a low point in the construction cycle, with better times expected from mid-2025 once interest rate cuts arrive.
- Simon Evans
Cleanaway closes lid on Melbourne City’s garbo Citywide
Street Talk understands Cleanaway has seen off rival suitors for the business, with a deal expected to be announced as early as this week.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
AirTrunk’s ‘competitive’ auction has huge $15b payday in reach
AirTrunk’s investors had no way of knowing just how good their timing was when they invested in 2020.
- Anthony Macdonald
Private equity piles into Sydney telco infrastructure player CPS
Founded in 1992, CPS has grown to 170 staffers working on 1850 projects across the country.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Mitsui-backed Campana plots $400 million ASX-listing; hires CLSA
Mitsui has been an investor since it co-led Campana’s $US40 million ($60 million) Series B equity raise in 2018.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Infratil nabs Goldman, Barrenjoey, UBS for $1b CDC data centre play
The three investment banks led the two-part transaction that will also bolster the New Zealand-based company’s balance sheet.
- Aaron Weinman
Queensland Airports Limited auction kicks off; process letters out
Sources said buying a slice of QAL – or even getting a good look at its books – could be a leg-up for an investor hopeful of sinking their teeth into North Queensland Airport.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
CSR ends 62-year run on ASX as $4.3b takeover gets green light
But some shareholders say that the price paid by France’s Saint-Gobain was too low, with a lower Australian dollar giving overseas buyers more firepower.
- Simon Evans
Experts question Qld toll road accounting ‘magic pudding’
Queensland’s plan to resume operating the state’s toll roads from 2051 would add $3.6 billion in value to the state’s balance sheet, figures show.
- Tess Bennett