December 2025
The breakthroughs that led to the AFR’s biggest stories of 2025
Our reporters take you beyond the headlines and behind the scenes to reveal how they broke some of this year’s standout stories.
Death threats and doxxing: Coldplay kiss-cam woman breaks silence
The woman who was caught cuddling with her married CEO on the concert audience camera says that was the first time the pair had touched.
October 2025
4 ways to avoid a Deloitte-style AI disaster at work
To avoid ending up on the front page due to your own AI stuff-up, the experts have some simple rules to maintain ethical, and safe, practice.
September 2025
Government plans super investment reforms after Shield collapse
Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino is working on new rules with the corporate regulator to crack down on high-pressure sales tactics being used on social media.
Macquarie’s $321m Shield payout is a warning to other trustees
Macquarie’s admission that it didn’t fulfil its duties as a superannuation trustee is as important to ASIC as the money it’s paying back to investors in Shield.
WiseTech billionaire escapes Mark Latham’s AVO dust up
The politician is dropping a request for documents concerning Richard White’s communications with the former Labor leader’s ex-partner Nathalie Matthews.
August 2025
How a kingpin of Christian music was brought undone
An Australian journalist’s investigation into sexual misconduct by superstar Michael Tait has led to a reckoning for the industry.
The dark underbelly of the Christian music business
American singer Michael Tait has faced multiple allegations of sexual assault and drug abuse, sending shockwaves through the community.
July 2025
Fake review scandal rocks Brisbane’s suburban real estate agents
Realtors in the city’s inner suburbs are at war over made-up testimonials. Now one agent is hitting back with a 12-minute video on YouTube.
![Jonathan Barnett: “The claims made in [the] complaint against me have no basis in reality and are untrue,”](https://static.ffx.io/images/$zoom_0.4047%2C$multiply_2%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_203%2C$y_44/t_crop_custom/c_scale%2Cw_280%2Cq_52%2Cf_auto/3266d621b81460678c4857fe389ba518b8527241)
‘Sex-trafficking’ from Australia alleged in sports agent lawsuit
A woman referred to as Jane Doe in a civil complaint alleges that Jonathan Barnett “trafficked” her from Australia and kept her as a “sex slave”.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail after being cleared of serious charges
The music mogul was convicted of prostitution-related charges but cleared of sex trafficking and racketeering that could have put him behind bars for life.
May 2025
The sordid fall of ‘sacred monster’ Gerard Depardieu
The man who seduced France with his debauchery was once untouchable. But Gerard Depardieu’s sexual assault conviction will test the limits of his charms.
Luke Sayers’ consulting firm rebrands after lewd photo scandal
The change is significant for Sayers Group, which was co-founded in 2020 by the former PwC CEO and relied on his connections to get investors and clients.
March 2025
Slaters refers former staffer to police over incendiary mass email
The law firm says a forensic investigation has found the sender of the infamous memo had access to sensitive data and was familiar with its cybersecurity.
Ex-Barclays boss complains of ‘public humiliation’ over Epstein links
Jes Staley was questioned about having sex with a staffer for the New York financier during a court case seeking to overturn his British regulatory ban.
This ex-CEO is risking all to clear his name over Epstein
Former Barclays boss Jes Staley is contesting a ban by UK financial regulators in a case that will again reveal big names tied to the late paedophile.
February 2025
ASIC says it is making ‘preliminary inquiries’ into WiseTech
The comments from the regulator came after the software giant’s founder, Richard White, returned as executive chairman despite a board review into his conduct.
WiseTech must find new independent directors or risk ASX suspension
The fine print of the bourse’s corporate governance principles shows Richard White and the remaining board members are in a rather urgent pickle.
Get your house in order, Longo tells scandal-plagued CEOs
After a string of high-profile scandals involving chief executives, ASIC chairman Joe Longo is putting boards on notice.
January 2025
Very pubic display hangs over Sayers’ PwC pension
The Melbourne man-about-town may have been forced to quit the Carlton presidency, but his friends are still in overdrive on damage control.