Secure your seat at this milestone gathering and be part of the conversation shaping Australia’s economic and political future.
ANDREW ARRESTED OVER EPSTEIN LINKS
UK police arrest former prince Andrew over Epstein ties
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody at the Sandringham estate on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his links to the sex offender.
Epstein files put focus on Andrew’s high-flying trade job
Newly released files allege that the disgraced former prince may have shared confidential trade information with Jeffrey Epstein while he was a UK trade envoy.
Albanese hosts Ritz-Carlton dinner for Melbourne’s business elite
The dinner, hosted by the Federal Labor Business Forum, coincided with a ministerial meeting which ensured attendees could have flights and hotels covered by taxpayers.
Eucalyptus sells to New York-listed healthcare giant in $1.6b deal
The transaction came after the Australian start-up was raising capital, and means a major payday for 35-year-old co-founder Tim Doyle and its venture backers.
Rio Tinto warns of higher costs after posting $14.1b full-year profit
The mining giant flagged that production expenses in the Pilbara could hit $US25 a tonne this year, driven by inflation and the use of more satellite mines.
AI’s billions won’t land here without copyright reform
To avoid consigning ourselves to being passive consumers of other nations’ AI systems, we need to design a copyright framework that supports both creators and innovation.
Super switching drives HUB24 to 70pc surge in profit
HUB24’s bumper first-half profit was driven by strong inflows and revenue in its super platform business, with another $10.7 billion added.
Glencore’s gone. And Rio doesn’t have a growth rabbit under its hat
The collapse of talks between the mining giants means Simon Trott is back to the grind of delivering on his promises for slow and steady growth.
Michelle Rowland stands as a major hurdle to local AI investment
In attracting AI investment, Australia cannot afford to dither, and more specifically, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland cannot afford to dither.
EARNINGS SEASON
Relentless Lovisa roll-out fuels sales but bungle hurts profit
The fast fashion jewellery chain opened 85 stores in the first half of the financial year, but has struggled to get its upmarket Jewells business working.
APA’s $480m gas grid splurge questioned ahead of government reforms
The pipeline owner is ploughing ahead with plans to boost capacity on its east coast gas grid, even though new gas market rules are yet to be nailed down.
Wesfarmers tips Kmart, Bunnings to outperform in tough consumer market
The Perth-based conglomerate said its lithium business was particularly strong after reporting better-than-expected profits in the first half of the year.
Super switching drives HUB24 to 70pc surge in profit
HUB24’s bumper first-half profit was driven by strong inflows and revenue in its super platform business, with another $10.7 billion added.
Telstra cautions on overinvestment in AI and the risk of lower returns
Telstra is accelerating its use of artificial intelligence to stay ahead of its competitors, but it is not increasing spending on the technology.
Phillip Coorey and Lidija Ivanovski on Angus Taylor’s big move, the One Nation threat and why this probably won’t be the last leadership contest before the next election.
Companies
World demand for data centres ‘materially’ exceeds supply: Goodman
Once best known for developing global logistics hubs, the property giant is devoting an increasing amount of its workbook to building digital infrastructure.
Ellerston Capital swoops on whitegoods giant Winning Appliances
The asset manager for some of Sydney’s wealthiest people is buying the appliance business from the Winning family, who have run it for more than a century.
CBA home loan program embroiled in compliance failings
The controversial program allows accountants, solicitors, lawyers, conveyancers, real estate agents and financial planners to refer their clients to the bank.
Lithium rally prompts mine restart on hopes of sustained revival
Rio Tinto, Wesfarmers and PLS are putting their faith in a long-term rebound for the key battery metal, but not everyone is in agreement.
Medibank says cost-of-living pressures trigger policy downgrades
The company reported an 11 per cent drop in interim profit amid “unsustainable” competition in the private health insurance market.
Glencore boss still holds a flame for $320b Rio Tinto merger
Chief executive Gary Nagle has suggested there is still room for the failed deal to be revived, saying he will meet with Australian investors to hear their concerns.
QR ordering platform Me&u invests for growth as maiden profit looms
Me&u, a mobile ordering start-up used in pubs and cafes, says it has the funds to start investing in its first consumer app after showing a path to a maiden profit.
SPONSORED
Markets
This little-known contrarian fund is already winning big off SpaceX
Contrarius has gone all in on Elon Musk and has found a discreet way to invest in the world’s most valuable private company before it goes public.
ASX closes near 9100; Rio posts $US10b net profit, Zip dives 34pc
Shares rise for a fourth day; Rio Tinto results to come; Qantas staff set to depart; Zip hit by debt, margins; Hub24 lifts FY27 target; oil holds biggest jump since October. Follow live.
MA Financial’s tech caution pays off as AI rattles private markets
The ASX-listed group recorded a double-digit jump to its assets under management at $15.3 billion.
AirTrunk fires starting pistol as AI bond bonanza reaches Down Under
Local investors are bracing for a wave of tech industry debt issuances in Australian dollars after a decade-long drought as hyperscalers scramble for financing.
Oil rises amid rising risk of US-Israeli war against Iran
West Texas Intermediate rose as much as 3.6 per cent after news publication Axios reported that any American military operation would likely be a weeks-long campaign.
Opinion
AI’s billions won’t land here without copyright reform
To avoid consigning ourselves to being passive consumers of other nations’ AI systems, we need to design a copyright framework that supports both creators and innovation.
Editorial
Michelle Rowland stands as a major hurdle to local AI investment
In attracting AI investment, Australia cannot afford to dither, and more specifically, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland cannot afford to dither.
Political correspondent
Lowe blows showed Labor’s deeper sensitivity on living standards
A focus on the economy should at least play the opposition back into form. Maybe even win a few waverers back from Pauline Hanson.
Political editor
Budget problem requires reckoning with Australia’s middle-class welfare state
Continuing down the European path of an ever bigger state will condemn younger generations to a lower-growth, higher-taxing, and less prosperous future.
Editorial
Epstein scandal not only about famous sickos. It is about the failure of success
It would be a great pity if the millions of people around the world reading the latest instalment concluded merely that the British royal family needed an overhaul.
Columnist
The appealing fantasy of high-speed rail gets real
Anthony Albanese is about to announce another big spending commitment on high-speed rail. The idea is popular – it’s just a shame none of it adds up.
Columnist
Politics
‘Cold comfort’: Strong jobs numbers escalate pressure on RBA
Unemployment stayed at a near-record low 4.1pc in January, meaning the labour market is uncomfortably tight as the RBA considers whether to raise rates again.
BCA supports capital gains tax changes, but with conditions
The corporate lobby group, which represents some of Australia’s largest companies, insists any change must be part of a broader tax reform rather than one-off cash grab.
NSW police chief apologises for break-up of prayer protest
NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon promises the Muslim community an “active presence” during Ramadan after threat to Lakemba mosque.
Australia faces two decades of budget deficit
The combined spending of federal and state authorities has risen to about 38 per cent of GDP and the trend won’t get better any time soon.
‘As good as it gets’: NAB boss issues dire living standards warning
Andrew Irvine says unless the government acts on one major policy topic, Australians will have to accept the economy is in a state that’s “as good as it gets”.
World
IMF urges China to slash subsidies damaging other nations
The IMF has urged China to cut industrial subsidies and pivot to consumption-led growth, warning its export-driven model is fuelling global trade tensions.
Epstein scandal not only about famous sickos. It is about the failure of success
It would be a great pity if the millions of people around the world reading the latest instalment concluded merely that the British royal family needed an overhaul.
US sends fighter jet squadron to ‘kick the door down’ in Iran conflict
The United States is reportedly preparing for a weeks-long campaign against Iran, though the military build up in the Middle East could be a negotiating tactic.
Eight skiers perish in football-field-sized California avalanche
Rescue teams combing the back country of Lake Tahoe say they have found the bodies of the skiers who went missing in the worst US avalanche disaster in decades.
Zuckerberg overruled 18 experts warning about Instagram
The Meta chief executive has taken the stand in a Los Angles court as the US technology giant fights a claim that its software is addictive for children.
Property
Not enough workers for Brisbane Olympics construction pipeline
The state risks delivery delays and cost escalation if workforce shortages are not addressed ahead of the Olympics, report warns.
Scape co-founders’ Living Company gets $1.5b build-to-rent approval
The Marrickville Timberyards precinct will be home to 1166 rental properties, marking a further widening of the ambitions of Craig Carracher and Stephen Gaitanos.
Charter Hall buys $360m shopping centre portfolio
The ASX-listed property investor snapped up three such properties in Victoria, NSW and Queensland, revealing its ongoing confidence in the retail sector.
Mall owner eyes upmarket apartments at Sydney’s Chatswood Chase
Vicinity Centres has formulated plans for up to 480 apartments at the upmarket north shore mall and another 1570 at Bankstown.
Defence land sell-off faces backlash as $1.8b target in doubt
The government says 67 military sites have no strategic use, but a leading analyst says it is unlikely to collect $1.8 billion it expects.
Wealth
23 advisers named in ASIC probe of super lead generators
Naming names is a key part of the corporate regulator’s plan to tackle the fallout from the collapse of the First Guardian and Shield managed investment schemes.
I’m inheriting the family holiday home. Will I have to pay tax?
Inheriting a property is rarely as simple as a title transfer. The tax treatment depends heavily on the usage history and the timing of the sale.
Offset v redraw: 4 ways to deploy a $100,000 windfall in a mortgage
Maintaining original higher repayments while using such facilities can save borrowers over $318,000 in interest and shave nearly eight years off a home loan.
Technology
Firmus rival Sharon AI debuts with $1b valuation on Nasdaq
The company was founded two years ago – now it is worth more than $1 billion after a US float. It will have a secondary listing on the ASX by April.
Small business revolts over unexplained, catastrophic Meta bans
Nancy McDonald, who founded online homewares company La Casa, is threatening to sue the company behind Instagram after it all but accused her of fraud.
AI can be a time suck. Here is how not to get stuck in a loop
Didier Elzinga co-founded people management software company Culture Amp 16 years ago. He recently stepped down as CEO but remains executive chairman.
Work & Careers
Exits at CSL and AMP signal a broader shift
The exodus of chief executives this year and last is unusually large, marking a return to turnover rates not seen since before the pandemic.
Curiosity is a career accelerant: From Redfern to the ASX
Energy Resources Australia boss Brad Welsh details his journey from caseworker to CEO, and why reinventing himself four times was essential for growth.
Life & Luxury
Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis EPiC lives up to its name
The Australian director’s second crack at telling the King of Rock and Roll’s Las Vegas story neatly corrects some of the failures of his first.
Sydney Writers’ Festival says no sponsor exodus after KPMG exit
The professional services firm, which had a staff member injured in the Bondi massacre, has scrubbed itself from the event’s website after Randa Abdel-Fattah was invited.
The perfume that smells like the most streamed classical artist of all time
Composer Max Richter has collaborated with Comme des Garcons on a fragrance. Cue notes of violin bow rosin, pencil graphite and cedarwood.
A 'robot with a soul' is helping this 85-year-old stay independent
At 85, Jan Worrell lived alone on a remote corner of the Washington coast. Could ElliQ become her companion?
5 steps to get your blood pressure under control
From the DASH diet to aerobic exercise, here are five proven steps to get your numbers under control and protect your heart, kidneys, and brain.
