Inside the downfall of ex-Young Rich Lister Robert Bates

He dreamed of a billion-dollar wellness empire but all that’s left are furious investors, unpaid employees and a lot of unanswered questions.

Jessica Sier and Andrew Burke

Feb 3, 2023 – 1.15pm

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It was early December and Ben Murphy was eating his morning toast when he first saw the photos of Francesca Packer and her new beau, Robert Bates. Murphy, a long-time family office investor and engrained member of the eastern suburbs Cranbrook set, couldn’t believe his eyes.

Robert Bates and Francesca Packer together on Sydney Harbour in December. ©MEDIA-MODE.COM

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Jessica SierNorth Asia correspondentJessica Sier is the North Asia Correspondent for The Australian Financial Review. She is based in Tokyo, Japan. Jessica has previously written on technology, global capital markets and economics.

Andrew BurkeAFR Weekend editorAndrew Burke is the editor of AFR Weekend, based in the Sydney newsroom. He has worked at the Financial Times in London, the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong and reported from across Asia and the Middle East.