Today
Anti-money laundering crackdown presents risks for real estate
The time it will take to retool a highly fragmented service industry to crack down on financial crime - and compliance costs - is an issue.
This Month
ASIC inquiry a ticking time bomb for ASX chief Helen Lofthouse
It is likely to be well into next year before market participants see workable recommendations and any detailed regulatory response from the latest review.
ASIC launches inquiry into ASX over ‘serious failures’
The regulator said it had “ongoing concerns” over the bourse’s “ability to maintain stable, secure and resilient critical market infrastructure”.
Capital market shake-up should preserve shareholder interests
The ASIC review, while well-intentioned, runs the risk of descending into a lobbying opportunity for business and a public relations exercise for the regulator.
How red tape and bad tax are choking Australia’s prosperity
The productivity summit must be more than a talkfest. If done well, it could be the basis for taking policy risks and reforms that underpin future growth.
GemLife could be first to trial ASIC’s fast-track IPO process
Investment banks and law firms say the corporate regulator’s push to expedite listings is a good first step towards making public markets more attractive.
General insurers on notice over low-ball flood settlement offers
Consumer groups say their legal helplines are hearing appalling stories about vulnerable insurance customers forced to take lump sums to settle claims.
Westpac sued by ASIC over ‘systemic’ failures at RAMS
The corporate regulator said the lender suffered a major governance failure by not adequately supervising franchisees, who forged documents to write loans.
Michael Stutchbury appointed to lead Centre for Independent Studies
The Financial Review’s former editor-in-chief said he was excited to join a think tank that had made major contributions to policy from housing to education.
May
Bowen enjoys AEMO energy boost
The climate change and energy minister is the happy recipient of some good timing.
Boards have a tougher choice to make from today if they get hacked
Ransom payments to cybercriminals will now have to be disclosed via a government portal, putting companies under extra pressure.
How banks can fight fraud in an instant-payments world
Security needs to be ironclad as faster transactions mean less time to detect and stop illicit flows by cybercriminals.
Regulator signs off on 10pc jump in electricity bills as costs rise
The Australian Energy Regulator said that almost every part of the transmission network was becoming more expensive as it allowed prices to rise this year.
It’s not just taxes hurting Victorian businesses, it’s red tape
Peter Angelico says excessive, “box-ticking” regulation is putting a handbrake on his business.
Rest Super’s big rebrand spend with KPMG the least of its problems
Who says paying consultants to change the colour of a logo isn’t in members’ best financial interests?
Victoria warned to fix ‘punitive’ taxes or face worse housing problems
Treasurer Jaclyn Symes confirmed she has been consulting industry about reforms to lift housing supply, and proposed tax setting changes “are on the table”.
Australia’s best super fund for 2025 is … Cbus?
Wayne Swan’s fund is up for a bunch of industry awards on Wednesday night. And no, none of them are for the most scandals.
Justice Lee back relishing the limelight in Qantas hearing
There’s hardly a big business case in the Federal Court that doesn’t end up on his docket.
Consumers face higher prices in Bass Strait electricity stand-off
A dispute over the future of the only electricity cable linking Victoria and Tasmania could spill over into consumer energy bills.
How Macquarie boss responds to the ASIC action will define her legacy
The group’s relationship with the nation’s corporate cop, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, has been in freefall.