The search is on for the 2025 Best Places to Work.
Oil price rises over Middle East war fears
Iranian oil refineries could be hit in retaliatory strikes after US president Joe Biden said nuclear facilities should be removed from the target list.
- 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.
- Exclusive
- Agriculture
Ed Peter’s Duxton stops investors withdrawing from flagship farm fund
The asset management house founded by the prominent South Australian businessman is already selling several of its assets out of its other portfolio companies.
Greens join push to scrap junior worker pay rates
The Greens would push a second term minority Albanese government to abolish lower rates of pay for young workers in retail, fast food and pharmacy.
Westpac’s Peter King keeps his promise on Tiwi Islands consultation
The outgoing CEO had said at last year’s AGM that he would visit Indigenous leaders on country to listen to concerns about Santos’ Barossa gas project.
- 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.
Juror misconduct probe flagged for Plutus tax fraud trial
Sheriffs will be asked to probe possible juror misconduct in the Plutus tax fraud trial, which ran for nine months and led to five people being jailed.
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The hotly anticipated lists of who wields the most overt, covert and cultural clout in Australia.
Companies
Australia’s IPO drought is 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.
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.
- Exclusive
- Agriculture
Ed Peter’s Duxton stops investors withdrawing from flagship farm fund
The asset management house founded by the prominent South Australian businessman is already selling several of its assets out of its other portfolio companies.
Westpac’s Peter King keeps his promise on Tiwi Islands consultation
The outgoing CEO had said at last year’s AGM that he would visit Indigenous leaders on country to listen to concerns about Santos’ Barossa gas project.
- 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.
- Updated
- Energy
Origin Energy deals big blow to Australia’s hydrogen hopes
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.
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.
Companies in the News
Search companies
View stories and data from an ASX listed company
Markets
‘Stretched valuation’: Dump GyG for KFC, says Goldman Sachs
It has initiated coverage on Guzman y Gomez with a “sell” rating, predicting its shares will drop 12 per over the next 12 months.
Why CSL is the cheapest stock this fundie owns
Brad Clibborn at BAEP says Fisher & Paykel Healthcare surprised the most in reporting season, and outlines why he is bullish about the ASX’s plasma giant.
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.
Opinion
Australia’s politics of protest is on full display
The country might be well out of target range in the Middle East but its suddenly fragile social fabric is being severely tested.
Columnist
Qatar-Virgin deal finally the right result for consumers
Petrodollars underwriting a more competitive aviation sector is not new for Australia or many other countries. And it’s something that should be welcomed as ultimately giving consumers the best chance to benefit from meaningful competition.
Editorial
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
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
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
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
Politics
Anti-Israel rally to go ahead despite safety fears
NSW Police have dropped their opposition to the protests after initially launching court action that would have denied the organisers a permit to occupy city streets.
- 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.
IMF puts Chalmers on notice over rates, super tax and spending
In its annual health check of Australia’s economy, the International Monetary Fund said more unexpected expenditure rises will force the RBA to keep rates high.
- 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.
- Analysis
- Government Observed
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
Property
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.
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.
Wealth
Juror misconduct probe flagged for Plutus tax fraud trial
Sheriffs will be asked to probe possible juror misconduct in the Plutus tax fraud trial, which ran for nine months and led to five people being jailed.
- 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.
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
‘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.
How office workers are losing their social skills
Consultants say incidents of inappropriate workplace behaviour are becoming more common as increasing technology use erodes our people skills.
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.
Liked The Sopranos? You’ll love this doco about it
Twenty-five years after The Sopranos first aired, this two-part series on Binge explores the way the show’s art mirrors the life of its creator.
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.
