When escaping problems, it’s always nice to give friends and family a welfare update. In mid-October, Mineral Resources managing director Chris Ellison jetted off on “long-planned leave” with his wife Tia. His company’s stock price had recovered from year-lows, off the back of his decision to sack thousands of workers.

Then Financial Review journalist Neil Chenoweth dropped a grenade into Chris’ email inbox, asking detailed questions about his offshore tax boondoggle. The first story landed while the Ellisons were in Los Angeles. We know this because Tia posted a loved-up, sun-drenched selfie from an LA Dodgers game.