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

CEO legacyCompanies

‘Harder than it looks’: Shayne Elliott on his ANZ legacy

After nearly a decade at the top, Shayne Elliott admits he was ‘a bit naive’ on some issues and ‘should have more courage’ on others. But has he left ANZ as a better bank?

Eric Johnston

CommentaryCompanies

# UNDER EMBARGO - NOT FOR USE UNTIL RESULTS RELEASED ## MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos APRIL 2, 2025: Andrew Irvine, incoming CEO of NAB outside one of the bank's branches on Bourke Street in central Melbourne. Picture: NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

After playing defence, NAB’s new challenge is how to attack

NAB dominates a market that everyone wants a slice of. CEO Andrew Irvine will need to draw on every ounce of his banking experience to get bigger.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryCompanies

14/11/24: Dr Raphael Arndt, CEO Future Fund speaks at the ASIC Annual Conference at the Hilton hotel. John Feder/The Australian.

Future Fund has been planning for this market shock for years

The $300bn-plus fund anticipated the forces driving global markets were dramatically shifting. That bet has now paid off.

Eric Johnston

AnalysisCompanies

*** EMBARGOED UNTIL DECEMBER 16TH 2024*** SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos DECEMBER 5, 2024: New Westpac CEO Anthony Miller on Thursday. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

Westpac CEO’s nod to the past to make banking great again

The back-to-basics approach is a nod to Westpac’s golden era under chief executives Bob Joss and David Morgan.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryEconomics

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA, NewsWire Photos. APRIL 30, 2025: Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers holds a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

For reform’s sake, business must embrace new approach

The silver lining for business is Albanese’s decisive win and new authority gives Labor room to take risks, including a more ambitious economic agenda.

Eric Johnston

CommentaryCompanies

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Apple iPhone 16 are seen on display at an Apple store on April 04, 2025 in New York, New York. U.S. President Donald Trump declared a U.S. economic emergency and announced sweeping tariffs of at least 10% and with rates even higher for 60 countries or that have a high trade deficit with the U.S. The tariffs will affect electronics, automobiles, clothing and shoes, wines and spirits, and swiss watches. In retaliation, China announced that they will impose 34% tariffs on the U.S. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Michael M. Santiago / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

What’s in a brand? America Inc tests for ‘Trump tarnish’

Some of America’s biggest corporate names such as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Apple are working on strategies to avoid getting caught up in the global anti-Trump blowback.

Eric Johnston

AnalysisCompanies

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 1 2025Bill Oplinger, chief executive officer of Alcoa, speaks at the Melbourne Mining Club. Picture: Brendan Beckett

‘Turn back the trains’: How Trump tariff blitz is hitting home

The CEO of US aluminium giant Alcoa is at the very front lines of a global trade war. Bill Oplinger has offered a revealing insight on navigating the new world.

Eric Johnston

MarketsFinancial Services

24/03/2025 CBUS deputy chief investment officer Leigh Gavin. Photo: Aaron Francis Photography

‘Don’t bet against America’: Cbus’ top stockpicker keeps faith

The new head of the $100bn construction-aligned industry fund major intends to keep deploying cash in the US.

Eric Johnston

AnalysisCompanies

Is Dan Murphy’s ready for the Jayne Hrdlicka experience?

The former Virgin Australia boss is known for her take-no-prisoners management style, but will this celebrity CEO have the freedom she needs to revive the liquor retailer?

Eric Johnston

CommentaryCompanies

James Hardie Industries NV fiber cement sheeting is stacked in the warehouse of the company's distribution center in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009. James Hardie Industries NV, the biggest seller of home siding in the U.S., said third-quarter earnings fell 56 percent amid the worst housing slump since the Great Depression. Photographer: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg News

James Hardie still lumbered with high-priced deal

A costly acquisition has exposed bigger tensions in the running of a company that left Australia years ago.

Eric Johnston

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/eric-johnston/page/8