August
- Opinion
- Opinion
It’s time to civilise the inquisition of Senate estimates
Hearings that were meant to drill into policy detail have become a scattergun questioning of officials used to settle scores, or make cheap political points.
- Laura Tingle
June
Stephen Jones dodges Dixon’s long tail of woe
The rationale is blacked out, but it’s clear that in early 2023 it was already part of the plan.
- Updated
- Myriam Robin
Future Made in Australia to rely on corporate intel
Development of Labor’s manufacturing agenda will rely on closely held intelligence from private companies about their capabilities and weaknesses.
- Updated
- Tom McIlroy
Chalmers’ energy rebate won’t change RBA’s mind on rates, inflation
Governor Michele Bullock says the central bank won’t hesitate to raise interest rates again if inflation proves stickier than thought, and that government energy subsidies will not affect underlying inflation.
- Michael Read and John Kehoe
ASIC says it is probing three lenders for credit breaches
The admission comes just weeks after the corporate regulator accused lenders of creating “unnecessary barriers” that hindered under-pressure customers.
- Lucas Baird and James Eyers
Bill Shorten’s speechwriter earning $620,000
A former scriptwriter for soap operas Sons and Daughters and A Country Practice now earns more than a senator as “specialist speechwriter”.
- Updated
- Tom McIlroy
May
‘Gina effect’: Gallery got 25pc bump after Rinehart portrait gripe
The fuss about an image of Gina Rinehart being included in a National Gallery exhibition did not register in the artist’s home community of Indulkana, the Senate has been told
- Tom McIlroy
Why age restrictions on social media ‘won’t happen overnight’
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner says it is difficult to judge the correct age to ban kids from social media.
- Tess Bennett
Labor wants a deal on more senators by Christmas
Tasmania has 402,000 voters and 12 senators; the ACT has 315,000 voters and two senators. MPs want to make upper house representation a bit more even.
- Tom McIlroy
April
- Opinion
- Investing
ROE, ROIC or ROCE? CEOs only turn to numbers that make them shine
A Senate hearing sparked debate on how best to measure corporate profitability. But this is a deep rabbit hole that divides balance sheet scholars.
- Jonathan Shapiro
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The Senate cage match that saw Woolies CEO threatened with jail
Brad Banducci and Greens senator Nick McKim played a brutal game of verbal tennis over Woolworths’ profitability.
- James Thomson
February
Public servants working from home not ‘disconnected’
The head of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations says about one-third of her employees have flexible work arrangements.
- Tom McIlroy and Cindy Yin
November 2023
Big banks, insurers on the hook to pay Dixon Advisory compo claims
The government has set aside $250 million to help victims of misconduct. But the collapsed financial firm’s clients are out of pocket by significantly more.
- Jonathan Shapiro and Carrie LaFrenz
Senators slam EY deal with ATO as too lenient
EY is facing further scrutiny in the wake of allegations a former partner promoted tax exploitation schemes over five years.
- Max Mason and Neil Chenoweth
September 2023
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Stoic Goyder and Hudson turn heat back on to Labor
Richard Goyder and Vanessa Hudson took on limited damage before a Senate committee, but deflected heat back on to the Albanese government.
- Updated
- James Thomson
- Opinion
- Regulation
Inside the never-ending war to fix the corporate regulator
ASIC regulates everything from the biggest takeover to the opening up a bank deposit. Can it handle the enormous task of policing our entire financial system?
- Jonathan Shapiro
August 2023
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Joyce grilling is a warning for CEOs
The pummelling Alan Joyce received at the hands of a Senate committee shows how political heat over costs of living pressures is rising.
- James Thomson
PwC blocked from questioning lab for fake-coal probe
ASIC is suing a coal miner over its pronouncements rejecting allegations of involvement in the manipulation of coal data results.
- Liam Walsh
‘On your heads be it’: Joe Longo’s unsaid message to the Senate
The ASIC chairman said demands to hand over secret investigation files would expose sources and whistle-blowers, prejudice civil litigation and give crooks an advantage.
- Ronald Mizen
July 2023
PwC matter referred to federal anti-corruption watchdog
The tax leak scandal that embroiled consultancy firm PwC has been referred to the national anti-corruption body which has just opened its doors.
- Poppy Johnston