The search is on for the 2025 Best Places to Work.
Qatar rebalances the scales in a long game of revenge against Qantas
A decade long drama between the Gulf carrier and the national carrier ultimately led to the blockbuster Virgin Australia deal, shaking up the aviation sector.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
What really killed Origin’s big hydrogen dream
It’s becoming clear that optimism, ambition and government support are not enough to compensate for the risks facing hydrogen project developers like Origin Energy.
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
Middle ground on the Middle East is bleeding Labor
A fast end to hostilities in the Middle East would suit the Albanese government as it tries to focus on cost of living.
- Updated
- Middle East tensions
Pro-Palestinian protests to go ahead after police back down
Protest organisers withdrew from plans to hold a vigil on October 7, but won agreement from police to march through the Sydney CBD on Sunday.
David Di Pilla swoops on $2b data centre group Global Switch Australia
The assets, two big developments in inner Sydney, will anchor a $1 billion real estate play that the veteran dealmaker intends to list later this year.
- Exclusive
- International students
Desperate colleges lure agents, students with cash offers
With the introduction of student caps looming, desperate vocational colleges are using unethical practices to shore up numbers.
Why Australia is building fewer – not more – homes
Australia needs more new homes but the post-pandemic surge in costs makes development viable only when targeting downsizers and empty nesters.
Get our expert take on the race to the White House plus receive our weekly World View newsletter to make sense of the global impact. Exclusive to subscribers.
The hotly anticipated lists of who wields the most overt, covert and cultural clout in Australia.
Companies
Aurizon investors impatient for Top End contracts
Aurizon is in “regular” talks with potential customers for its ambitious land bridge scheme, but scepticism abounds over whether it can pull the bold plan off.
Masayoshi Son’s $US500m bet on OpenAI deja vu for Softbank
The investment marks one of the largest by SoftBank this year and signals a return to the big-cheque power moves by one of Japan’s most recognised businessmen.
- Updated
- Energy
Origin Energy delivers major blow to Australia’s hydrogen plans
The electricity and gas giant will not proceed with a project in the Hunter which had been shortlisted for funding as part of Labor’s $2 billion incentive scheme.
- Exclusive
- Managed funds
Ed Peter’s Duxton empire in pain as it cuts jobs, sells properties
The former bank executive has built a considerable asset management business with wealthy backers. But tough times have forced it to restructure – and shrink.
- Updated
- Executive shake-up
CBA shuffles executive team as it looks for next generation of leaders
Andrew Hinchliff will become chief risk officer and Sinead Taylor will run the institutional bank, amid other leadership changes unveiled on Wednesday.
How much is Star’s Sydney casino worth? Just $8m, says Barrenjoey
The broker has warned clients that the company will post years of losses as it struggles with falling revenues and big costs involved in developing its hotels.
- Updated
- Courts
ANZ loses appeal over botched $2.5b capital raising
The bank was attempting to have a ruling thrown out that it kept the market in the dark during a big institutional shortfall almost a decade ago.
Companies in the News
Search companies
View stories and data from an ASX listed company
Markets
Australia’s IPO drought the worst since the GFC
Fund managers are frustrated about the lack of quality listings on the ASX, and who can blame them? Anyone who got Guzman y Gomez for $22 is sitting on a tidy profit.
ASX ekes out gain as traders tread water; Sigma Healthcare rally extends
Australian shares inch higher in muted session. Pilbara shares shopped. Energy stock hold gains as fighting in Lebanon escalates. Follow updates here.
ASX cancels trades after fumbling Namoi Cotton takeover bid
The exchange operator was forced to scrap more than $800,000 in trades which were allowed despite a new takeover offer not being put to the market.
What happened overnight? The S&P 500 advanced modestly
Australian shares were set for a muted start. Tesla slumped as it missed high delivery expectations. OpenAI secured funding. Oil tempered its rally.
Tesla’s first quarterly sales gain this year comes up short
The Elon Musk-led company handed over 462,890 vehicles to customers in the past three months. Its shares tumbled, paring some of their recent rally.
Opinion
Why measuring public sector productivity is so slippery
When Productivity Commission researchers examined past assessments of the health system’s productivity earlier this year, they were pleasantly surprised.
Government editor
For the Liberals, Israel is a rare moment of cultural unity
Even multicultural societies need some shared values. The Liberals feel confident they are defending them.
Columnist
Our one-trick pony economy can’t keep behaving like this
Population, employment, and government spending are growing faster than the economy can absorb. It is the spending that has to give for a while.
Contributor
Middle ground on the Middle East is bleeding Labor
A fast end to hostilities in the Middle East would suit the Albanese government as it tries to focus on cost of living.
Foreign affairs, defence correspondent
October 7 protests would do more damage to social cohesion
Ideally, the protest organisers would rule out the rallies proceeding based on taste and sensitivity, without even waiting for the court decision in NSW.
Editorial
No more weird: Vance remakes the Trump campaign record
J.D. Vance wanted to come across as a nice guy while making Donald Trump’s policies sound sensible. The real nice guy, Tim Walz, tried to challenge that but it was too little, too late.
Columnist
Politics
Australia pursuing ‘appeasement’ with ceasefire call: Dutton
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton on Thursday said Australia’s stance on the Middle East conflict would “diminish” relations with Israel and other allies.
Payman won’t lead a single-issue ‘dead duck’ party: adviser
Parliament’s “preference whisperer”, Glenn Druery, says religious-based politics focused on one issue aren’t a vote winner.
ANU cuts jobs to save $250m as overseas student cap bites
Chancellor Julie Bishop’s leadership of the Australian National University has been questioned after a major savings plan that will axe at least 50 jobs was announced.
- Exclusive
- Energy
The secret plan to bring a floating LNG terminal to Melbourne
The Victorian government is examining a floating liquefied natural gas terminal in the southwest of Port Phillip Bay.
Iran’s missiles shown in extraordinary video; Labor ‘at odds’ with allies, Dutton says
Iran launched dozens of missiles into Israel, an escalation in a tit-for-tat cycle that is pushing the Middle East closer to a regional war. Follow our live coverage.
SPONSORED
World
Israel strikes heart of Beirut, killing six
Witnesses reported hearing a massive blast, and a security source said it targeted a building in the central district of Bachoura, near parliament.
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
How Israel could retaliate against Iran
Officials say Israel’s options include attacks in Iran, such as on missile launchers or oil infrastructure, some have even called for strikes against its nuclear facilities.
- Analysis
- Israeli-Palestinian conflict
In Beirut’s once-bustling suburbs, smoking rubble and eerie quiet
Most of the residents of the Dahiya – the collection of neighbourhoods on the southern outskirts of Beirut where Hezbollah is the dominant power – have fled this week.
Biden slams ‘incredible’ 800pc profits as port strike threatens brands
The stoppage, which also risks reigniting inflation and pushing up unemployment just a month before the US election, is heaping pressure on President Joe Biden.
British PM stumps up for Taylor Swift tickets after donations furore
With his popularity in freefall, Keir Starmer has tried to make amends for his freebie frenzy by paying back $12,000 worth of gifts out of his own pocket.
Property
Sydney doesn’t have enough three-bedroom apartments for Boomers
Many empty-nesters are staying put in their large houses or competing with young families and professionals for modern three-bedders with lifts.
Hong Kong arts hub selling land to stay afloat
The redevelopment of a reclaimed area on Victoria Harbour is important as Hong Kong struggles to restore its reputation.
QIC to set record $900m mall deal as it embarks on more sell-downs
Queensland Investment Corporation wants to follow up what will be the biggest retail asset sale in Australian history in Blacktown’s Westpoint mall by selling Woodgrove Shopping Centre in Melbourne’s west.
Why rents and vacancy rates are both falling
Tight rental vacancies typically fuel strong rental increases, but not in the current market.
- Opinion
- Property market
We’re more nuanced on negative gearing than five years ago
Disadvantages for investors – and gains for aspiring owners – would be more modest than many expect, if Australia’s property tax regime changed.
Wealth
- Opinion
- Property downsizing
Four tips for upsizing super with downsizer contributions
If you’re 55 or over, you may be able to make a downsizer superannuation contribution to boost your retirement savings by up to $300,000.
- Opinion
- Super Q&A
At last, Labor has a plan for legacy pension exits
After years of delay, the federal government has produced regulations that will release retirees from restrictive legacy pensions.
How the ATO caught taxpayers cheating on ‘lifestyle’ assets
The Tax Office has provided The Australian Financial Review with exclusive details about some recent investigations.
Technology
- Updated
- Courts
Billionaire Richard White attempts to bankrupt alleged former lover
Lawyers acting for Double Bay wellness entrepreneur Linda Rogan say WiseTech Global founder’s legal claim against her is an “abuse of process”.
AI can do only 5pc of jobs, says MIT economist who fears crash
Daron Acemoglu doesn’t see how artificial intelligence lives up to all the hype. “You’re not going to get an economic revolution,” he says.
OpenAI raises $9.6b in funding at $228b valuation
The size of the investment underscores the tech industry’s belief in the power of AI, and its appetite for the extremely costly research powering its advancement.
Work & Careers
Coffee importer to barrister: New paths to the Bar
The Bar remains behind on key diversity measures, but top commercial chambers are beginning to bring on board readers with different professional backgrounds.
‘Uniquely broad’ sanctions regime too harsh on business: Allens
Major corporate law firm Allens says the extraterritorial application of local sanctions does little to advance Australia’s foreign policy objectives.
Life & Luxury
Melbourne Symphony sued in battle of ‘brand v human rights’
Jayson Gillham’s suit against the MSO shapes as a test of anti-discrimination laws against the rise of “morals clauses” in employment contracts, says a leading workplace lawyer.
Can a Millennial overcome a mortal dread of cruising?
After 15 years of saying no to cruises, the time finally came to walk the gangway to meet those towel animals and other weird traditions.
Would you eat barramundi sashimi?
This Brisbane restaurant hopes its new menu item will become a national trendsetter.
Like it or not, you’re already being cloned
We’re not all as photogenic as Demi Moore, but genetic data-doubles are becoming par for the course.
Travel far, travel light. Leave room for a $500,000 quokka
A skimpy but special swimsuit, tiny skin creams, a petite board game. Plus the tidy travel bags to squeeze them into.
