This Month
CoStar sizes up Jason Pellegrino for return as Domain chief executive
The American property giant acquiring the Nine-controlled property platform told investors it would consider re-hiring the company’s former managing director.
May
Disgraced CFMEU boss’ boast is ‘complete rubbish’: Hutchinson
Scott Hutchinson says any suggestion Cbus or its property business would pressure his company over contracts is “complete rubbish”.
Elders will need to sell stores to secure $475m Delta Ag buyout
The competition regulator has concerns about a tie-up of the No.2 and No.3 players in farm supplies, saying farmers could face higher prices and less choice.
ACCC probing REA Group over price gouging concerns
After the AFR put questions to the News Corp-controlled real estate listings giant, the company told the market the ACCC had demanded information about its pricing.
Meat prices to rise as drought-hit farmers struggle to meet demand
Elders reports a rebound in profit for the first half on strong cattle and sheep prices, but it falls short of market expectations, sending its shares lower.
ACCC, supermarkets clash over product checks in fake discount case
The competition regulator wants 12 grocery items to be reviewed – down from more than 200. Coles and Woolworths want six different items to be considered.
Federal Court chief justice flags overhaul to speed up justice
Debra Mortimer has conceded that it takes too long for complicated disputes to be resolved and floated changes so wealthier parties are not unfairly advantaged.
IAG gets regulator tick to buy automobile club insurer in Queensland
The ACCC said Suncorp, Allianz, QBE, Youi, Auto & General and Hollard would compete with IAG after it buys RACQ.
3 surprising facts about the public service pay gap
These unexpected data points reveal some expansive cultural differences between public and private employers.
The truth about flexible work and the gender pay gap
Far more women in the public sector work full time – and earn more – because flexible conditions allow them to work and manage caring responsibilities.
Buoyant business travel pushes Qantas over resurgent Virgin
Market share data, published by the competition regulator, means Virgin’s run as the country’s most popular domestic airline has ended.
How $2.3b worth of deals could entrench another Australian duopoly
IAG’s alliances with the Royal Automobile Clubs of Queensland and Western Australia are clearly clever plays. But could they also attract the ACCC’s ire?
Insurance Australia Group goes west with $1.35b RAC buy
IAG will add The Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia to its brand portfolio after striking a similar deal in Queensland six months ago.
Farmers fear Coles, Woolworths-style duopoly in Elders’ $475m buyout
Small groups are readying to buy stores if the ACCC orders divestments in a ruling due May 29 on a merger between the No.2 and No.3 companies in rural supplies.
Law firms raid ACCC for staff as merger reforms near
ACCC commissioner Liza Carver is among lawyers recently hired from the regulator by top-tier law firms expecting a spike in demand for advice on merger reform laws.
April
Coles sees healthy sales growth as shoppers flock to home brands
Supermarket giant maintains its advantage over rival Woolworths, with group sales up 3.4 per cent in the third quarter to $10.4 billion.
Will insurance premiums ever get cheaper?
The country’s big insurers have found themselves in a political storm as the cost of policies balloons $30 billion over a decade. But are those hikes unfair?
March
Woolworths slashes prices to close gap on Aldi
The under fire supermarkets are looking to show shoppers and politicians consumers are getting better deals at the checkout.
No joy for supermarkets in the election – but safeguards needed
There is a good case for both Labor and the Coalition’s proposals, but they should apply to all big businesses.
‘Focus on real factors’: Coles hits back at ninth supermarket inquiry
The country’s second largest supermarket operator said politicians should focus on measures to bring down energy, fuel and labour costs to reduce the checkout prices.