Your afternoon Briefing: Huang Xiangmo asks political parties to return his donations

Good afternoon, readers. Political donor Huang Xiangmo asks for parties to return his donations and how a smooth swindler stole $7m.

Good afternoon, readers. Political donor Huang Xiangmo asks for parties to return his donations and how a smooth swindler stole $7 million.

20/12/16 Huang Xiangmo YuHu chairman pictured at the Sydney Opera House. Picture Renee Nowytarger / The Australian

‘Return my political donations’

Huang Xiangmo asked for parties to return his donations and suggested Australian spies deemed him a “threat” following his ban from the country.

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TWAM-20190902 EMBARGO FOR TWAM 9 FEB 2019NO REUSE WITHOUT PERMISSIONFEE MAY APPLYMax Tavita seemed charming and dependable. But Tracy Hall had no idea she was falling for a conman whoÕd already swindled millions from a string of victims

How smooth swindler stole $7m

He was born Hamish Watson, a surfie dude from Sydney – but he could morph into whatever you needed him to be. Join The Australian’s Greg Bearup as he delves into the fascinating yet devastating life of a serial conman in our new podcast series, Who the hell is Hamish?

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14/11/2018: Generic picture of National Australia Bank (nab) branch and logo. Hollie Adams/The Australian

NAB needs an outsider

Analysts have thrown plenty of hats into NAB’s CEO ring, with many saying it needs the clean pair of hands of an outsider.

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Nationals leader Michael McCormack (right) keeps a close eye on Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Does a leader’s profile count?

Some men are born anonymous, some achieve anonymity, and some have anonymity thrust upon ‘em, writes Jack the Insider. Michael McCormack seems to have managed the difficult feat of cracking the trifecta.

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Stressed Woman Working In Office

Why you might refuse a pay rise

More than 80 per cent of Aussies aren’t satisfied with their job, and more than half say they don’t necessarily need more money.