December 2025
Billionaires, boardrooms and office romances: Rear Window’s 2025 year in review
There was no shortage of hypocrites in corporate and political life in 2025, and a veritable surfeit of illicit office romances.
Who is paying Peter V’landys’ legal fees?
The powerful sports administrator recently launched a 24-hour legal attack on the independent racing media, raising the questions about who will be left with the bill.
HESTA’s glass house starts cracking
Debby Blakey is usually the bravest among big investors at calling out ESG shortfalls. But when it came to HESTA’s own governance problems, there were crickets.
ANZ recruits for Operation Save Paul O’Sullivan
The embattled board has turned to a proxy whisperer. You can be sure it’s another bill picked up by the bank’s shareholders.
ECP’s ‘forensic research’ somehow missed Corporate Travel
The family fund manager will be hoping the history of the troubled ASX-listed company misses its contribution.
MSO’s star witness Sophie Galaise returns from hide-and-seek
Most arts institutions are sprinting away from any Israel and Palestine-related scandal. QPAC is running towards it.
The $45m Tim Tam loan and what makes due diligence
The Finance Department conducted “desktop due diligence” before adding Glenn Thompson to the National Reconstruction Fund. It’s somehow worse than it sounds.
ASIC questions KPMG over employees using AI to cheat on tests
It’s not a formal investigation, but it’s still a quicker response from the watchdog than the last time news of auditors cheating came to light.
ASX can’t even get its own revenue numbers right
It’s another error on the exchange’s long list of mistakes in the past 12 months, though at least it’s a small one.
Richo’s state funeral gets mysteriously downsized
In death, the Labor machine man got awarded with the government organising his funeral. But there’s been a last-minute change.
Corporate Travel’s executive alumni have moved on
Corporate Australia is a small place, so it shouldn’t be surprising two of its former execs have found a new home at the same ASX 50 company.
Sanjeev Gupta’s biggest creditor posts unbeatable pay records
Shareholders have again given the middle finger to NRW Holdings for the way it pays executives.
At MA Financial, Andrew Pridham isn’t holding all the cards
The vice chairman might be the frontman for the ASX-listed investment bank, but there are less flashy executives.
The teal Christmas tip list is peak hypocrisy
The newest independent MP, Nicolette Boele, has instructions for constituents on how to decrease waste – not hers though.
Fred Schebesta told to stop the parties at Coogee mansion
Randwick City Council may be trying to slow down the eastern suburbs crypto king, but locals are sceptical he will care.
What did PwC know about Corporate Travel?
It seems the consulting giant spotted issues at Jamie Pherous’ company after all, at least enough to try to protect its own back.
Sky News cash-for-comment lines Farage’s pockets
The once-proud “Australia’s News Channel” has paid the UK right-wing politician $63,000 in the past eight months.
David Di Pilla’s stealth family takeover of HMC Capital
The extended family of the country’s dealmaking impresario now marshalls more than 20 per cent of the asset manager.
Don’t be Brad Banducci, Westpac instructs staff
The former Woolworths chief executive storming out of an ABC interview has become the stuff of public relations legend.
Billionaire Jared Novelly’s misfiring court fetish
Donald Trump’s future ambassador to New Zealand keeps coming undone to a certain Supreme Court judge.