Complaints blow out at tribunal
The Administrative Review Tribunal has warned that it is being overwhelmed by an unprecedented backlog of complaints about government decisions and flagged its outdated system cannot keep up with the surging appeals against visa rejections and refusals from the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The Fin
Banks want compo scheme means tested
The influential banking lobby says the Albanese government should urgently redesign a compensation scheme for victims of financial misconduct by preventing claims from wealthy investors. The Fin
Telstra didn’t tell TPG about 000-linked death
Australia’s biggest telecommunications group, Telstra, did not inform rival operator TPG Telecom about a death linked to Triple Zero failures on TPG’s Vodafone network, new emails reveal, further exposing major flaws in the nation’s emergency call system. The Fin
EY recruits four PwC tax partners
EY has recruited four senior PwC tax partners in a push to recover from the loss of almost 10 experienced partners to upstart firm Alvarez & Marsal. The Fin
Book world quick to ditch Silvey
Books have been pulled from shelves, school reading lists across the country have been amended and at least one theatre production has been indefinitely postponed in the fallout from the arrest of prominent author Craig Silvey on child exploitation charges. The Aus
BlueScope beefs up its defences
BlueScope Steel is splashing $438m on a special dividend to bolster its takeover defences after rebuffing a $13.2bn bid from Ryan Stokes-led SGH and a US rival. The Aus
BHP less likely to gatecrash Rio deal
Rio Tinto has turned to a veteran dealmaker trusted by former chairman Jan du Plessis as it assembles a team of bankers to try to lock down a deal for Glencore, as the chances of BHP entering the fray fade. The Aus
Fishers say ban stocktake is long overdue
Campaigners fighting against a controversial fishing ban have demanded a pause in restrictions so that an independent review of WA’s fish stocks can be carried out. The West
Toxic metal detected at PCH
Perth Children’s Hospital has again been forced to shut down sites after dangerous amounts of lead were detected in drinking water. The West
Trio joins RAC board amid ACCC sale furore
Former Peet boss Brendan Gore is among three new directors added to the board of the RAC’s parent company in the final days of last year as the motoring mutual prepares a new move to offload its insurance business. The West
The Australian Financial Review
Page 14: The sale of Quadrant Private Equity’s QMS Media is heating up as the Chris Hadley-run firm prepares to offload its six-year outdoor advertising bet.
Page 15: Australian start-ups and their investors have had their strongest year for dealmaking since the pandemic-era tech boom, offloading companies worth $US3.5 billion in 2025.
Page 16: Endeavour should carve off its vineyard and winemaking business as part of the strategy review of the hospitality giant being undertaken by the company’s new chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka, Citi analysts say.
Page 22: The Australian sharemarket finished marginally higher on Wednesday, buoyed by a rally in the energy sector, after oil hit a two-month high amid turmoil in Iran, helping offset a sell-off in the big banks.
Page 24: Aware Super has stepped up its ambitions to establish a global real estate footprint, buying a 31.3 per cent stake in a $4.5 billion portfolio of outlet centres across Europe.
The Australian
Page 13: Research from AMP has found that only 41 per cent of women are financially confident about retirement, compared with 59 per cent of men.
Page 14: Insignia CEO Scott Hartley says AI is dramatically freeing up advisers to spend more time with clients.
Page 14: PLS CEO Dale Henderson says massive data centre investment will drive unprecedented demand for the battery metal.
Page 14: The mining industry is heading into what analysts say could be a landmark year for mergers, as competition for size and strategic assets intensifies across the sector.
The West Australian
Page 40: Metals extended their dramatic start to the year — with gold, silver, copper and tin all hitting record highs — as investors bet on a boost from more US rate cuts and a revival in sentiment on Chinese financial markets.
Page 41: WA is the only Australian region with more employment openings now than a year ago, an encouraging sign for jobseekers that the State’s labour market will start 2026 in good nick.
Page 42: Katana Asset Management co-founder Romano Sala Tenna saw his company’s flagship Australian Equity Fund rise 25.25 per cent net of all fees in 2025, more than double the All Ordinaries accumulated index’s gain of 10.56 per cent.
Page 43: WA-based Little Green Pharma has announced a proposed merger with a Victorian medicinal cannabis company in a bid to create a powerhouse in the global weed industry.
