The search is on for the 2025 Best Places to Work.
Super funds’ meteoric rise poses new risks to financial stability: RBA
The $3.9 trillion sector’s rapid growth and its large exposure to the banking sector could amplify shocks in the future, the central bank has warned.
NDIS cost blowout adds to inflation and rates pressure
A blowout in government spending on the $49 billion National Disability Insurance Scheme is adding to inflation pressures, economists say.
Super funds withdraw climate push against BHP
BHP has committed to disclose its investments in green steel innovation and produce a five-year financial plan after brokering a truce.
Private credit creeps past 10pc of business lending, RBA says
The rapid take-off in opaque private credit lending has prompted concerns in some pockets of the financial system.
Cannon-Brookes-backed Spaceship acquired in $80m deal
The superannuation fintech, backed by Airtree and Grok Ventures, has been bought by eToro in an all-scrip deal.
The 10 most covertly powerful people in Australia in 2024
Those who wield the most clout behind the scenes in the nation’s business and politics.
Infection super agency to lead future pandemic response
A new Australian Centre for Disease Control will get powers to manage any future pandemic, under the national COVID-19 review due to be handed to government.
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POWER LIST
The 10 most covertly powerful people in Australia in 2024
Those who wield the most clout behind the scenes in the nation’s business and politics.
Australia’s five most powerful people in education in 2024
As we hurtle to the end of the year, there are a lot of balls still up in the air for the sector. The question is, how many have landed?
Australia’s top five powerbrokers in the law for 2024
It was a momentous year for the High Court, the competition regulator and outspoken judges. Here are the people setting the agenda in legal circles.
Australia’s 10 most powerful business leaders in 2024
The strongest voices for corporate Australia in a year when cost-of-living pressures have ripped through the most vulnerable parts of the economy.
Australia’s ‘brain boxes’ are a growing source of covert power
These research and advocacy institutes are on the rise. But to get the funding, they need to be seen.
The best of travel, fashion, cars and more, straight to your inbox every Saturday.
Companies
‘On its knees’: Star slashes $1b off its casinos, slumps to huge loss
The gaming company has released its financial accounts almost a month after its shares were suspended.
Platinum rejects Regal’s takeover on value grounds
Regal Funds offered 0.274 of its own shares for every Platinum Asset Management share plus a special dividend. But that wasn’t enough.
BYD distributor insists no ‘kill switch’ inside its car software
The Australian face of China’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer said it cannot remotely control any EVs sold here, after the US sought a ban linked to spy fears.
Private credit creeps past 10pc of business lending, RBA says
The rapid take-off in opaque private credit lending has prompted concerns in some pockets of the financial system.
BlueScope sounded out as Whyalla steelworks rescuer
Sanjeev Gupta’s empire is showing further signs of distress as creditor defaults tick up against his other businesses in Australia, InfraBuild and Tahmoor coal.
Santos cleared of coercion over Narrabri land access
The result of an inquiry into an Environmental Defenders Office complaint comes as NSW extended a Santos “authority to survey” for a pipeline for Narrabri gas.
- Opinion
- Investment banking
Why now may be the right time to invest in private credit
The Australian market for private credit is at an earlier stage of development, but attracting investment.
Companies in the News
Search companies
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Markets
China pledges more stimulus, driving asset prices higher
China’s Politburo injected fresh excitement into financial markets on Thursday, pushing for more fiscal spending to stabilise the property sector.
Guzman y Gomez IPO backers sell stake as stock joins ASX 200
The hottest IPO darling in recent memory has rallied hard since listing in June, but a few early investors have taken some money off the table.
The one bank stock to own even with rate cuts coming
Ex-Magellan stock picker Vihari Ross names a US lender with the most near-term upside, says Amazon is still good value, and Hyundai is ripe for a re-rating.
ASX rallies as China pledges more stimulus; Regal rises
Shares advance; Platinum board says Regal bid ‘undervalues’ the listed global equities fund manager; ACCC allows Lendlease projects sale to Stockland and Supalai; Soul Patts profit slides. Follow updates here.
Ex-RBA governor Lowe joins Barrenjoey board
In February 2023 Philip Lowe found himself in hot water after accepting a lunch invite from Barrenjoey. This week he joined the start-up investment bank’s board.
Opinion
Labor’s smoke and mirrors on housing
Jim Chalmers and Anthony Albanese face much tougher questions about their economic agenda than the confusion about negative gearing and capital gains taxes.
Columnist
Why now may be the right time to invest in private credit
The Australian market for private credit is at an earlier stage of development, but attracting investment.
Managing Director at UBS Global Wealth Management Australia
Resorting to riddles on negative gearing treats voters as mugs
This week showed the government’s performance remains far from polished when events wander off script.
Political editor
Australia is on the map but not on the minds of South-East Asia
Greater economic engagement with South-East Asia is needed not only for Australia’s sustained prosperity but also for its political clout as a bona fide Asian power.
CEO of Asia Society
Three ideas to sharpen up the Business Council of Australia’s act
Curiously, given business bangs on about innovation all the time, the BCA has failed to get the memo.
Policy expert
Why even good politicians are unpopular these days
It’s not just Keir Starmer – political leaders are on the nose around the world, and it’s not all their fault. Decades of peace and affluence have raised expectations.
Contributor
Reports
Technology - Valuation shift
This special report looks at shifting valuations for tech companies in public and private markets, plus how AI will change work.
Politics
Rate cuts may trigger unsustainable property price boom: RBA
Falling interest rates could lead to a rising market that encourages households to take on too much debt, raising the risk of a damaging downturn, the bank warns.
Broken promises show ALP can’t be trusted on negative gearing: Dutton
Labor’s broken promises on tax cuts and super mean it could still curb tax breaks for housing investors after the election, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says.
A Trump win would tank the US dollar: Hockey
America represents the world’s greatest sovereign risk for investors and overseas economies including Australia, the former ambassador and treasurer has warned.
Australia’s new pandemic playbook
On the eve of the release of the national COVID-19 review, 10 key actions have emerged for when a similar pathogen hits Australia.
Victorian taxpayers to be slugged another $1b for Metro Tunnel
The cost of the Melbourne Metro Tunnel has blown out again, this time to $13.48 billion, with the state government blaming unprecedented cost overruns.
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World
The travel bloggers ‘sugarcoating’ China’s Uyghur problem
Some influencers claim to be exposing Western media lies about Xinjiang, saying they have not seen human rights abuses taking place.
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Calmness in Jerusalem belies the fact Israel is preparing for war
While an invasion of southern Lebanon is seemingly inevitable, there is a sense of calm in the Israeli capital.
- Analysis
- Electric vehicles
I drove the ute that could ruin weekends. Here’s what happened
Electric vehicles have a veneer of delicacy; an assumption the BYD team is keen to dismiss with the new Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute.
Harris insists she’s a ‘capitalist’ in economic pitch
The Democratic presidential candidate has been under pressure to offer more details on her economic plans.
- Analysis
- UK politics
Why Britain’s PM faces political firefights on all fronts
A combination of bad politics and unpopular policy has left Sir Keir Starmer on the back foot. And there isn’t even a Tory opponent who can lead the attack.
Property
Goldman Sachs’ old headquarters turned into $5850-a-month apartments
Both city and state are seeking ways to encourage more conversions to help alleviate New York City’s housing shortage.
- Exclusive
- Office
Brookfield to sell $480m stake in tower that Cartier calls home
Singaporean property giant UOL will buy Brookfield’s half stake of 388 George Street, which will be managed by Investa once the deal is completed.
- Exclusive
- Commercial real estate
BlackRock seeds $1.5b laboratory real estate fund
BlackRock is partnering with local private equity firm Wentworth Capital on a “pure play” laboratory fund that has already secured a number of seed assets
Jose was priced out of his inner-city home. So were 16,000 others
KPMG data shows rising costs are squeezing out much-needed workers from Sydney and Melbourne’s most sought-after suburbs.
‘Paying whatever it takes’: Prestige home prices jump 20pc a year in this city
International and east coast buyers are helping fuel a price boom in Perth’s most sought after luxury coastal and riverside properties.
Wealth
- Exclusive
- Rich families
Rich Lister wealth secrets revealed after 30-year loophole ends
Two years after removing an exemption that allowed Australia’s richest families to keep details of their private companies secret, their financials are filtering through.
- Exclusive
- Rich families
How the daughters of Westfield’s John Saunders invest
Previously unreported filings for Terrace Tower, owned by the late businessman’s family, reveal assets worth $1.85 billion. But it has been a bumpy two years.
Hartman exit leaves separated Forrests occupying Tattarang board
The longest surviving member of the Forrest inner circle, John Hartman, has left the board of the private company that holds most of the couple’s combined fortune.
Technology
Cannon-Brookes-backed Spaceship acquired in $80m deal
The superannuation fintech, backed by Airtree and Grok Ventures, has been bought by eToro in an all-scrip deal.
Meet the ‘actionable futurist’ who demystifies tech for the C-suite
Futurist Andrew Grill reckons execs will struggle to make good decisions about deploying tech in their businesses if they’re not actively using it themselves.
How a Caramello Koala helped catch Coles and Woolies out
As consumers’ belts tightened, price-sensitive shoppers vented their frustrations online on Reddit, TikTok and X. The ACCC, it seems, was listening.
Work & Careers
Legal privilege an ‘attraction’ in law firm’s consulting play
HPX Group chief executive Nick Humphrey says rolling consulting services into a legal practice means clients have a better chance of taking advantage of legal privilege.
NSW Bar backs compulsory anti-harassment training
State bar associations have swung behind the Australian Bar Association’s proposal to mandate “equality and wellbeing” training.
Life & Luxury
It’s the Kylie and Troye show as ARIAs go for the masses
After a concept album about a cockroach won in 2023, the industry voters for Album Of The Year in 2024 have picked more mainstream fare.
Qantas says it won’t drop the ball as engineers strike
The airline says plans are in place to keep people moving over the AFL Grand Final weekend.
Luxury cars among Plutus Payroll tax fraud spoils up for grabs
A Porsche Cayenne GTS, a Porsche 911 GT3 and two Wolf GB08 Tornado racing cars are among 30 vehicles confiscated from instigators of the fraud that will be auctioned off.
Everything you want to know about Fashion Week
The whole soiree is actually a month, taking in four big events in New York, London, Milan and Paris. Here’s a rundown of what’s been happening on the runways.
Seven must-see shows this October
From a Bette Davis cabaret, to Celine Dion on the Titanic and a takeover in the Adelaide Botanic Garden, there are plenty of reasons to leave the house this month.
