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Analysis

Yesterday

Former ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott outside the Federal Court in October.

Shayne Elliott’s lawsuit against ANZ: another case of poor judgment?

The former chief executive is not the first aggrieved employee to claim he was hard done by. He won’t be the last if the bank doesn’t fix its culture.

Interest rates are (likely) going up in 2026. Chalmers could be blamed

Under Labor, federal spending has reached 27 per cent of GDP, the highest since the 1980s (outside COVID). The treasurer has to act or interest rates may rise.

US personnel seize oil tanker Skipper.

‘Next tool will be airstrikes’: Trump’s tanker seizure just the start

Washington is stepping up its campaign against Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, with six more tankers on the radar in moves that have unnerved oil markets.

This Month

US President Donald Trump said European countries will be destroyed by rising immigration.

Trump urged Europe to halt migrant ‘decay’. Leaders are now scrambling

Far-right political parties seized on the US president’s withering tirade this week, and most European nations just backed tougher measures to deport migrants.

Australian travellers have enjoyed one of the smoothest paths to sightseeing at Times Square but that is soon to change.

Here’s what Trump’s border guards will look for on your socials

Anti-US rants are likely red flags under new border rules targeting social media. But Australians heading to the US could also be made to hand over their DNA.

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The one word tech companies really don’t want to discuss

The social media ban has been lauded as a good first attempt to loosen the grip of big tech on children. But a bigger issue is hiding under this Band-Aid.

Donald Trump’s Warner Bros meddling comes with added nepotism, given it appears he is helping light the way for a buyer featuring his son-in-law.

The Netflix-Paramount fight goes all the way to the White House

In an unsurprising plot twist, Donald Trump is involved in the battle for Warner Bros Discovery. His son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is backing Paramount’s bid.

Anika Wells at the 2024 AFL Grand Final

‘Minister for scarves’ learns a lesson about judgment

Anika Wells has broken no rules with her enthusiasm for attending sporting events. It’s her judgment that is being questioned.

Kerry Packer at the 1991 print media inquiry.

CEOs navigate Senate minefield with expert help

A conga line of bosses from Australia’s biggest companies are increasingly asking former political staffers to help them prepare for Senate committee appearances.

Donald Trump wants allies like Australia to challenge China’s state-subsidised economic model that produces many more goods than it needs at home and sends them around the world.

Trump sees China more as an economic rival than a military threat

The US is more inward-looking, more disdainful of multiculturalism and no longer a defender of democratic values. But it still has its eye on China.

Elon Musk and Donald Trump aren’t fond of Europe.

Euro trashed: Musk adds to widening Trump rift with the EU

The billionaire’s tirade against Brussels came as the US president unveiled a security paper that allied the White House with far-right nationalist parties.

Is the Australian economy firing up or hitting a wall?

The answer will determine the direction of the Reserve Bank’s next interest rate move. Opinions are divided.

Teens may not like it, but new social media age laws will kick in soon.

Why 17-year-olds could be locked out of social media

Age-gate’s margin of error will leave some older than 16 locked out of social media apps (and let some 15-year-olds in).

The Business People of the Year awards seek to honour the leaders, builders, pioneers and stirrers who have helped to shape Australia’s business landscape.

Resilience, sense of adventure unite Business People of the Year

Mike Dorrell, Jo Horgan, Dennis Bastas, Meg O’Neill, David Harrison and Leah Weckert all had a stellar 2025. Defining traits are at the heart of their success.

Leah Weckert puts Coles ahead of Woolies for first time in decades

The retailer’s first female boss, a former McKinsey strategist and loyalty executive, has cracked the grocery code, outpacing Woolworths’ sales two years running.

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Mike Dorrell.

‘Jump earlier than you should’: Mike Dorrell on leaving Macquarie

The son of a teacher and social worker made a $14 billion fortune after leaving Macquarie in his early 30s. He has tips for other adventurous young Australians.

Jo Horgan speaks frequently in interviews of “the Mecca magic” – a sense of joy that comes from shopping in her stores.

‘Mecca magic’: Jo Horgan defies sale rumours as $1.4b bet pays off

The founder crushed sale talk. Her massive Bourke Street store attracts 70,000 people weekly, demonstrating her experiential retail model is a billion-dollar success.

After decades of deal-making, Dennis Bastas landed his biggest transaction so far in August.

Dennis Bastas’ rise from aspiring car designer to $5b pharma king

The son of Greek immigrants signed a mega-deal this year for his pharmaceutical and beauty empire that propelled him to the upper echelons of the Rich List.

The American-born Meg O’Neill is a woman who follows through on her convictions.

Bold O’Neill propels Woodside from Perth to global gas force

Five years into her tenure at the helm, it is clear that the Colorado-raised chief executive is prepared to act on her convictions.

Jamie Dimon’s comments about private credit hurt sentiment in the sector.

Bubbles and blow-ups: What lies ahead for private credit?

Non-bank lending spent the year in the headlines, bringing an end to its so-called golden age. In 2026, the sector faces many challenges.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/Analysis-1qu