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Rich families

March

Anti-avoidance tax laws are held together by band-aids and a series of ATO interpretations.

Why the Bendel case could lead to Division 7A’s long-overdue revamp

The big question is whether the government will apply another Band-aid solution or finally decide to simplify anti-avoidance laws.

What the top 1 per cent in Australia looks like in 2025.

What it takes to be in Australia’s top 1 per cent (in 6 charts)

Wondering how wealthy you are compared to your fellow Australians? Find out whether you rank in the top 25, 5 or 1 per cent.

Alex Waisilitz, founder of Thorney Investments at his Collins Street office in Melbourne, but has plans to spend more time in New York and Israel.

‘We’ll fight’: Alex Waislitz on family battles and bad bets

The billionaire investor is mired in clashes with his ex-wife, future sister-in-law and developer Tim Gurner. But he’s up for it, he says.

Anthony Sahade arrives at court where he faced an assault charge in 2013.

Point Piper in a lather over car wash king’s swimming pool

Crystal’s Anthony Sahade has tried and (so far) failed to have a pool built 10 metres elevated above Sydney Harbour.

Alex Waislitz and Heloise Pratt are fighting in the Supreme Court of Victoria over the control of Thorney Investment.

Billionaire Waislitz rejects claim of $21m in improper loans

Billionaire investor Alex Waislitz has denied his ex-wife Heloise Pratt’s claims that he improperly made $21 million in loans to spend on his fiancee.

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February

Mike and Annie Cannon-Brookes.

Cannon-Brookes sacked CFO for ‘very significant’ transfer to his wife

The couple separated almost two years ago, and are in the midst of a messy fight as they split some $24 billion of assets after a 13-year marriage.

The number of family offices, investment vehicles for the wealthy, is increasing.

What family offices are investing in

This booming sector likes to keep a low profile. But its secrets aren’t always far from the surface.

Avoiding tax traps of succession planning

The ATO has telegraphed an interest in the intergenerational wealth transfer, which means taxpayers are probably getting something wrong.

January

Accountants working for higher net worth individuals are already fielding calls for   advice.

ATO to crack down on Baby Boomer wealth transfer ‘risks’

The Australian Taxation Office says it will zero in on Baby Boomers restructuring private companies to pass billions onto their heirs.

Pratt’s granddaughter married in lavish Raheen wedding

The lavish garden wedding at the Pratt family mansion took place on the same day another branch of the clan were fighting it out over the $23 billion family empire.

December 2024

Smorgon stoush triggers gold mine fire sale

One of Australia’s most powerful families have pushed their Chinese partners in the Stawell gold mine into receivership.

Here’s how succession planning works at Patek Philippe

The president of the Geneva-based family company, Thierry Stern, and his son Adrien chat exclusively with Life & Leisure.

While some assets are easy to value, others can be more subjective and require the specialist skills of a forensic accountant.

‘So many zeros’: Why wealthy divorces are so complex

At the centre of every split is the question of how to divide assets. But the more money that is involved, the more complicated the task tends to be.

A selfie by Apple Martin, with mother Gwyneth Paltrow, wearing the Valentino gown for “Le Bal des Debutantes”.

Apple Martin and the strange enduring spectacle of debutante balls

The daughter of Gwyneth Paltrow and Coldplay’s Chris Martin was “presented to society” in a tradition that’s morphed with the changing nature of wealth and power.

A bobblehead of Warren Buffet displayed at Berkshire Hathaway’s AGM in May this year.

Five tips from Buffett worth more than his wealth advice

As the billionaire investor gets deeper into his 90s, he is passing on tips about how to have a good life (as well as good investments).

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November 2024

UBS sees a big opportunity in the growing number of wealthy women in Australia.

Rich women top UBS wish list as it targets $46b in Australia

The bank is returning to wealth management Down Under after it exited almost a decade ago, tapping the Credit Suisse franchise it bought to make a renewed charge.

Laurence Escalante built Virtual Gaming Worlds into a multibillion-dollar business.

Laurence Escalante’s VGW bulks up exec ranks as casinos bristle

Virtual Gaming Worlds was one of the early beneficiaries of a US legislative loophole in states where gambling is otherwise banned. It’s now under attack.

Owen Hereford is determined to raise his three daughters Grace, Elizabeth and Bella without a sense of entitlement.

Signs you’re raising entitled brats (and how to avoid it)

Keeping children grounded and helping them understand the value of money is a perennial problem for wealthy parents. This dad reckons he has the answers.

Colette and Charles Assaf have built a network of childcare centres based on the Montessori method.

Montessori Academy childcare founders reclaim control

Street Talk wouldn’t be surprised to see bankers add Montessori Academy to their list of IPO prospects as 95 per cent of the business transfers to the founders.

Escala has been hit by a spate of departures amid concerns over its pay structure.

Case closed: Escala loses bid to restrict defecting partners

Paul Sealey and Jonathan Vickers‑Willis defected to rival LGT Crestone in 2023 amid a spate of departures.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/topic/rich-families-hwx