Our Team

Eric Johnston is an associate editor of The Australian. He has more than 25 years experience as a finance journalist, including a former business editor of The Australian. He has been business editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age and financial services editor with The Australian Financial Review. His work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal.

@ejohnno

Latest

CasinosCompanies

Signage for The Star complex, operated by Star Entertainment Group Ltd., in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday, Sept.3, 2024. Star Entertainment Group’s future hangs in the balance after an inquiry found the company had suffered from dysfunctional leadership, questionable ethics and culture, and remains unfit to operate its Sydney casino. Photographer: Brent Lewin/Bloomberg

Star shareholders green light Bally’s led $300m rescue deal

The gaming group’s shareholders have overwhelmingly approved a $300m rescue deal led by US-based casino operator Bally’s after being warned it was the only deal on the table.

Glen Norris and Eric Johnston

AnalysisCompanies

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos. August 19 2024. Evening commuters at Gadigal Metro station on the opening day of the Sydney Metro. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

NSW gets ahead of Canberra’s productivity fight

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey has taken a small but significant step which will help the whole nation confront its productivity crisis.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryCompanies

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos FEBRUARY 06, 2021: A general view of the tails of Virgin Australia planes at Sydney Domestic airport. Picture: NewsWire / Jenny Evans

Oil’s wild ride won’t hold back Virgin’s IPO

Market turmoil be damned. Virgin is determined to push ahead with the year’s biggest stockmarket listing.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryEconomics

Traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at the in New York City on June 18, 2025. Oil prices dropped Wednesday as comments by President Donald Trump trimmed concerns about an imminent US intervention in the Israel-Iran conflict. Meanwhile, Wall Street's main indices advanced in late morning trading as investors also awaited the Federal Reserve rate decision, although they were mixed elsewhere. (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)

Trump gambles on oil in new financial shock

Traders have so far taken the stress of geopolitics in their stride. However, Donald Trump’s bombing of Iran will jolt markets from their complacency.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryCompanies

Sunday 11th May 2025. Nuno Matos, CEO ANZ, in Docklands, Melbourne, Australia..Photograph by Arsineh Houspian.

The Nuno Matos revolution has just begun at ANZ

Expect more upheaval to come at ANZ following the exit of the one-time Google Australia boss. A new CEO is in town and on a mission to lift the perennial number four bank.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryMining & Energy

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos APRIL 11 2024: SANTOS AGM at Adelaide oval. A small group of protesters outside Adelaide oval. Kevin Gallagher. Picture: NCA NewsWire / RoyVphotography

Santos board must have rocks in their heads for energy sellout

They can’t be serious. The Santos board rushing to sell Australia’s energy future at an uninspiring price is short-termism at its best. This will be lucky to pass the national interest test.

Eric Johnston

EXCLUSIVEBusiness

Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene hugs members of parliaments after a vote in Ulaanbaatar on June 3, 2025. Mongolian Prime Minister Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene resigned on June 3, a parliamentary statement said, after losing a confidence vote among lawmakers. The secret ballot followed days of protests in the capital Ulaanbaatar against alleged corruption. Oyun-Erdene will remain as caretaker prime minister until his successor is appointed within 30 days, the statement said. (Photo by Byambasuren BYAMBA-OCHIR / AFP)

Rio mine partnership ‘key to our growth’: Mongolia’s ousted PM

After a mounting political scandal triggered the collapse of the Mongolian government, the outgoing PM tells The Australian his country must remain open to mining investment.

Eric Johnston

ExclusiveFinancial Services