February
Chief justices in stand-off over ‘surprise’ review intervention
The Federal Court Chief Justice withdrew a surprise submission to a review of the Federal Circuit and Family Court, after its Chief Justice complained.
November 2024
UK pension fund crisis shows super risk to markets in Australia: RBA
It is the third time in as many months that Australia’s mammoth superannuation sector has been labelled a risk to the financial system.
ATO patience runs out as small business tax debt hits $35b
The Tax Office has warned it is taking a firmer approach to unpaid debts, after going easy on stretched small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
US-Australia alliance ‘always bigger than individuals’: Albanese
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has addressed uncertainty over the US election during question time; Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan lashes Donald Trump’s “appalling” views on women. How the day unfolded.
AAT lawyer accused of ‘vile language’ in tweets targeting conservatives
The new Administrative Reviews Tribunal deputy president Clare Thompson allegedly abused conservatives on Twitter, and described Liberals as “misogynistic toe rags”.
Nuclear a ‘rent-seeking parasite’ that will push up power prices: Kean
The former NSW treasurer said the alternative energy source was “old outdated technology” and the industry just wanted a taxpayer-funded handout.
August 2024
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.
June 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
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”.
May 2024
‘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
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.
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.
April 2024
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.
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.
February 2024
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.
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.
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.