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Rear Window

December 2024

The Year of Brilliant Jerks: Rear Window’s year in review

Trump, Ellison, White, Adgemis, Gupta and that Rinehart portrait. For Rear Window, the end of shame and pretense added up to a ripping year of stories.

  • Myriam Robin and Mark Di Stefano
Former Qantas chairman Richard Goyder arriving for his farewell at Capella in Sydney.

Qantas says goodbye to Richard Goyder

The former chairman was toasted by his board, exiting with free flights and a bruised reputation.

  • Mark Di Stefano
Jon Adgemis has been under pressure to refinance his pub empire.

The mystery twist in Adgemis’ fight with Gazal

A long list of Sydneysiders and Melburnians would be keen for the details of the stoush.

  • Max Mason and Primrose Riordan
Billionaire philanthropist and art collector Judith Neilson.

Judith Neilson timed Platinum exit to perfection

It takes love to build a business. But knowing when to sell? We’d take the cold calculations of a divorcee over a founder any day.

  • Myriam Robin
Who Gives A Crap donates 50 per cent of profits to building toilets.

Who Gives A Crap lawyers up against Singaporean mutt

Who Gives A Crap is on a crusade for global bum domination, but a Singaporean street mutt may have flushed the Asian expansion plans down the toilet.

  • Myriam Robin
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Racing NSW boss Peter V’landys at inquiry into the potential sale of Rosehill racecourse on August 9.

Peter V’landys bogged down in a multibillion-dollar property play

The influential CEO of Racing NSW is staring down allegations aired confidentially by purported whistleblowers to a parliamentary inquiry.

  • Mark Di Stefano
David Waterhouse at Sydney’s Villa Biscaya, which he purchased in 2020 then sold in 2023 for $26 million.

David Waterhouse sues buyer of his $26m harbourside mansion

There’s far more to the $26 million sale of David Waterhouse’s Villa Biscaya to investment banker Michael Rothner than was reported last year.

  • Myriam Robin
A casualty of the Kelly Bayer Rosmarin era: Ash Barty is no longer Optus’ chief inspiration officer

Ash Barty, Daniel Ricciardo lose Optus roles

“The decision was taken as we looked to rebuild customer trust and focus on the fundamentals,” the telco’s spokeswoman said.

  • Myriam Robin
NRL bosses Andrew Abdo and Peter V’Landys.

The NRL goes down a fourth CFO in four years

The rugby league keeps chewing up and spitting out finance chiefs.

  • Mark Di Stefano
Keith Urban: didn’t mind the cameras

The drama at Anthony Pratt’s New York party

Actor Chris Rock stormed out of the New York shindig, but singer Keith Urban got the joint jumping.

  • Myriam Robin
Mineral Resources chairman James McClements speaks at the AGM.

MinRes chairman’s private equity firm scores big cash gift

James McClements’ Resource Capital Funds was given a $116 million handout from Australia’s “green bank”.

  • Mark Di Stefano
People lay flowers at the Adass Israel synagogue in Ripponlea on Sunday.

HSF in damage control after M&A partner’s ‘deeply offensive’ tweet

Herbert Smith Freehills has started an internal investigation after a tweet directed at Jeremy Leibler.

  • Mark Di Stefano
Mark Sowerby’s suit over the collapse of Blue Sky is not going well.

Blue Sky conspiracy case against hedge fund and Aston sputters out

An “embarrassing” and “scandalous” attempt to sue those deemed responsible for Blue Sky’s demise isn’t going well.

  • Myriam Robin
Inside The Ivy Level 6 penthouse, where UBS didn’t want to be.

UBS, Citi, ANZ and CBA navigate fraught Christmas parties

The investment bankers of Sydney held their year-end dos against a backdrop of complex contextual matters.

  • Myriam Robin and Mark Di Stefano
Former British prime minister Boris Johnson arrives to speak at the event in Sydney on Friday.

Boris Johnson’s mispriced Australian tour fizzles out

The former UK prime minister is no longer hot property on the corporate speaking circuit.

  • Mark Di Stefano
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Visy’s Anthony Pratt (centre) pictured with then Victorian premier Daniel Andrews and federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek at Visy’s Coolaroo plant last year.

Dan Andrews makes Anthony Pratt’s New York party

Rich Lister Anthony Pratt has wasted no time getting settled into his new home.

  • Myriam Robin
This dastardly government: Twomey tears up during a press conference in April 2023

Pharmacy Guild sends voodoo dolls to fans and supporters

Trent Twomey doesn’t fear the scorn of the political establishment. Or the evil eye.

  • Myriam Robin
The public art and Gina Rinehart.

A mystery bidder, Gina Rinehart and Brisbane’s missing public artwork

The Hopoate Fingers is Brisbane’s most beloved public artwork. Will it fall into moneyed hands?

  • Mark Di Stefano
Rupert Murdoch, centre, and his wife Elena Zhukova Murdoch, arrive at the Reno courthouse.

Rupert Murdoch makes surprise Australian homecoming

The “retired” media mogul has made his first trip Down Under in many years.

  • Mark Di Stefano
The (ex) tax man and the billionaire: Robin Khuda says he’s tackled his ATO kerfuffle.

Trophies and sequins as Australia’s business leaders gonged

A $70,000 Rolex and a sequined jacket show life is sweet for the victors, though the path isn’t always smooth.

  • Updated
  • Myriam Robin and Mark Di Stefano

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/rear-window