Unease stirs inside Labor on super tax
Independent MP Allegra Spender has implored Treasurer Jim Chalmers to rethink his policy to double the earnings tax on high-value superannuation accounts, as some Labor MPs express misgivings about proceeding with the policy in its current form. The Fin
Net zero pledge under review: Ley
New Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has vowed there will be no climate war in the Coalition as she follows the Nationals by putting the Liberal Party’s commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 under review. The Fin
Budget to feel the pain of Rio’s iron ore quality dip
Australia’s biggest iron ore exporter Rio Tinto has told customers its flagship product will contain less iron in the future, confirming a gradual decline in quality that economists say will put a dent in federal government coffers. The Fin
Ley puts tax, economic reform on to-do list
The new Liberal leadership team says tax and economic reform will be a core part of its agenda to bolster the party’s electability, in a shift away from Peter Dutton who was criticised for populist economic policies. The Fin
Bowen feels ‘silent’ wind at his back
Emboldened Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has doubled down on Labor’s rollout of offshore wind farms, renewables and the phase-out of coal-fired power plants in a post-election attack on critics of his green power agenda, who he declares were rejected by Australia’s “silent majority”. The Aus
Shorten warned over NDIS scandal
A whistleblowing former chief executive of Cocoon SDA Care sent then-NDIS minister Bill Shorten messages in 2023 alerting him to serious concerns about the disability care business, which is now facing investigations into broad-ranging allegations. The Aus
Poor super policies risk member returns
Superannuation policies from Labor and the Coalition could lead to liquidity risks and poorer returns in superannuation, with some member returns to be hit by as much as $300,000 over their working life, the Super Members Council (SMC) warns. The Aus
Cook orders minister to urgently push WA’s case for project extension
Roger Cook has ordered his environment minister to urgently engage with his new Federal counterpart Murray Watt as the State awaits approval for the extension of Woodside’s North West Shelf project. The West
New chief right behind ‘safe, reliable’ live sheep export industry
Sussan Ley has insisted she supports the live sheep export industry, seven years after she first called for it to be banned. The West
Fate of leading Fortescue green energy project under a cloud
The future of one of Fortescue’s leading green energy projects is uncertain as the business lays off staff at its Gladstone electrolyser facility in Queensland and hydrogen division in Perth. The West
The Australian Financial Review
Page 6: Australia’s gas producers say Labor is undermining its own efforts to decarbonise the electricity grid because a major review of the east coast market is not considering whether to provide future government support to gas power generators.
Page 8: Private hospitals have warned gender pay rises of up to 30 per cent will blow out costs, while smaller clinics claim it will lead to job losses, closures and higher client fees in what is emerging as the first industrial test for the newly re-elected Albanese government.
Page 9: Tim Gurner has bad news for renters – the housing crisis has another 15 years to run as the nation’s lacklustre supply struggles to meet demand.
Page 14: Global insurance giant Bupa wants to build a network of 130 medical centres in Australia over the next three years, potentially adding to tensions with struggling private hospital operators over the growing role of insurers in patient care.
Page 15: Exchange operator ASX has started axing about 100 jobs across its business, accelerating efforts to reduce costs and redirect investment as the company navigates intense regulatory pressure.
Page 15: WiseTech Global and its co-founder Richard White have reached a confidential settlement with the company’s customs compliance executive, who made claims of inappropriate conduct against the billionaire and his wife.
Page 17: Bunnings’ profit margins are not excessive when compared to international peers, analysts say, while the hardware giant’s managing director says its contribution as a successful business creating jobs in the local community should be valued.
Page 19: The world’s biggest airline, United Airlines, is throwing down the gauntlet to Qantas, in an attempt to lure more Australian customers through improved food offerings and bigger and better business class seats.
Page 29: Investors have been scrambling to reposition their ASX holdings after China’s sudden trade deal with the US prompted a rethink on Australia’s beaten-up mining sector and the appeal of market stalwarts such as Commonwealth Bank.
Page 30: The market climbed to an 11-week high yesterday, tracking a relief rally on Wall Street that was spurred by China and America pulling back from a months-long trade war.
Page 33: Abacus Storage King has rejected a $1.9 billion buyout bid from a consortium comprising a South African billionaire and a United States giant, stoking a potential takeover tussle in the normally staid world of storage.
The Australian
Page 5: Cabinet has signed off on Labor’s election commitment that a re-elected Albanese government back above-inflation pay rises for 2.9 million low-paid workers.
Page 13: Ampol has exited the retail electricity market where it was reselling power to the home for electric vehicle customers, deciding service stations are a better use of its time and capital.
Page 13: BHP chief executive Mike Henry says it’s unrealistic to expect some “grand bargain” between Donald Trump’s White House and China that leads to a resurgence in free and open trade.
Page 17: A second formal push has been registered against billionaire Raphael Geminder’s move to take full control of his majority-owned, ASX-listed packaging business Pact Group.
Page 21: The employment website Indeed has detected a new-year slump in graduate hiring, with job postings down 16 per cent in the first three months of 2025, compared to the same time last year.
The West Australian
Page 17: Administrators of collapsed homebuilder Inspired Property Group have knocked back a low-ball rescue bid and warned that the company was likely insolvent by June 2024.
Page 19: An Aurizon train laden with iron ore broke down on Tuesday, blocking a key transport route linking the Murchison to Geraldton port.
Page 20: Accounting firm Pitcher Partners is fighting to extricate itself from a $6.7 million-plus legal battle over the collapse of a company linked to founder Bryan Hughes.
Page 21: A new legal clash over Lynas Rare Earths’ Malaysian refinery is looming after the Perth-based miner failed to stamp out an activist’s appeal request.
Page 39: Perth’s Pan Pacific has boldly hung its reputation on sustainability with a $50 million make-over that includes repurposed denim and recycled plastic.
Page 40: Two major Perth industrial estates have been listed for sale by investment group Harvis in what is expected to be one of the biggest sales of the year.
Page 41: The WA Planning Commission has stunned Sorrento locals after throwing its support behind plans for an $80 million, seven-storey apartment block planned in an area zoned for small-lot homes.
Page 42: The State Government has released a draft improvement scheme for the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre which includes creating up to seven new development sites in the area.
