Secure your seat at this milestone gathering and be part of the conversation shaping Australia’s economic and political future.
Atomic wedgies make $14b takeover fight for BlueScope even spicier
The steel group feels bidders SGH and Steel Dynamics tried to push it into a corner with their latest bid for the company. Now it is pushing back.
High-speed rail an expensive dream the NSW government won’t pay for
Anthony Albanese’s love of high-speed rail is colliding with indifference from the Minns Government and a new brand of NSW Labor fiscal conservatism
Kilkenny faces referral to parliamentary privileges committee
Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny says she should have been clearer when she told parliament claims of a CFMEU black ban were referred to police.
Chalmers eyes budget upgrade as gold eclipses gas exports
The gold rally marks the latest in a string of revenue windfalls for the Albanese government, which has also benefited from a jobs boom and soaring energy prices.
Take me to Church: Morgan Stanley unveils reshuffle of its top brass
Tim Church has helped the investment bank snare plenty of noteworthy deals, including Scape Australia’s $3.85 billion acquisition of Aveo last year.
Bapcor’s $200m highway to hell
The terms of the car parts retailer’s bailout are about as grim as you’ll see – the sort of deal that happens once a year in the ASX300, tops.
Allens appoints new managing partner in biggest change in a decade
The major law firm’s board selected Sydney-based Marc Kemp to succeed Richard Spurio in the top job from July.
Inside GQG’s team of ex-journos that turned the tide on tech
A team of six former investigative journalists played a crucial role in Rajiv Jain’s high-stakes bet against the AI trade.
Cettire shares crash as auditor warns of ‘material uncertainty’
The stock plummeted 22 per cent to just 35¢ on Thursday after Cettire revealed a poor update amid falling sales and a net loss in the first half.
Billionaire Laurence Escalante hit with fresh drug charges
The 44-year-old founder of Virtual Gaming Worlds fronted Perth Magistrates Court on Thursday on nine new charges.
EDITOR'S PICKS
AFR interim profit season calendar and results 2026
Follow the February reporting season as it unfolds here, with dates for all the major ASX companies on the schedule and links to our expert coverage.
Volkswagen bids to dominate self-driving cars in fight for survival
The German carmaker plans to launch driverless taxis in Europe next year, after a Los Angeles launch with Uber.
Thrifty young Chinese are splurging on one modern necessity
China’s rent-a-partner market is booming this Lunar New Year holiday, as young singles pay thousands of yuan to dodge marriage pressure from their families.
‘Get set for raisings, buyouts’: top banker’s call on property stocks
Australia’s listed property sector has grown strongly and is now the second biggest globally. That is registering on the radar of investors around the world.
Is Donald Trump about to ‘rain destruction on Iran’?
If last-ditch talks fail to reach a diplomatic breakthrough, the US president could unleash massive American firepower on Iran after days of threats.
EARNINGS SEASON
At Rebel Sport, crime wave shows no sign of easing
From gated entrances to staff wearing body-cams, the sports clothing and equipment retailer is trying everything to protect its stock from thieves.
Lynas cashes in on Trump’s critical minerals drive
Global demand for the rare earths critical to the defence industry has flowed through to the WA miner’s bottom line, but shareholders will miss out on a dividend.
Corporate Travel admits scandal has hit customer renewals
Shares in the company have not traded since August last year as it continues to investigate just how deep its refund scandal runs.
Weight-loss drugs drive double-digit Chemist Warehouse sales
The popularity of the medication is boosting sales in hair and beauty products at the pharmacies giant, and a new oral version will drive demand even higher.
Qantas puts loyalty at centre of its new flying ambitions
The airline will make it easier for travellers to earn sought-after status credits and move up tiers to keep customers from switching to rival loyalty programs.
James Thomson and Paul Smith on the ‘SaaSpocalypse’ and why financial markets are suddenly spooked about AI and software companies.
Companies
Cleanaway external review finds ‘no systemic’ failures despite 8 deaths
Cleanaway has lifted its full-year earnings guidance, even as the waste giant defends its safety record following a string of fatalities.
Price increases were 'initiated by suppliers', Coles tells court
Coles argues the ACCC’s focus on grocery prices should be centred on what they were after supplier cost increases were factored in, not before.
Australian Meat Group snaps up cattle feedlot for $195.8m
Elders has offloaded its 1402-hectare Killara Feedlot, which it has owned for around 30 years, and has plans to use the sale proceeds to pay off debt.
BlueScope Steel rebuffs Stokes and bid partner, but leaves door open
The steel maker says the SGH and Steel Dynamics’ offer was effectively only $31 per share. But the board is prepared to talk if the bidders are open to lifting it.
Tabcorp’s live betting puck to enter NSW pub scene
Gillon McLachlan’s new live betting product, tap in play, is expected to be rolled out this year.
Hong Kong’s metro giant wants to help develop Sydney transport sites
MTR Corporation chief executive Jeny Yeung says running public transit systems and developing the land around stations makes it easier to be sustainable.
DroneShield aims to pass ‘front page test’ after sales surge
Chief executive Oleg Vornik says his controversial November share sale, which triggered a governance crisis, did not reflect his views on the company.
SPONSORED
Markets
ASX ends at fresh record; Qantas tumbles, DroneShield rockets
Bourse ends at a record high for a second day; Qantas falls on demand concerns; DroneShield secures $21m contract; BHP closes at fresh high; Cettire shares sinks 25 per cent. Follow live.
Inside GQG’s team of ex-journos that turned the tide on tech
A team of six former investigative journalists played a crucial role in Rajiv Jain’s high-stakes bet against the AI trade.
Reprieve for tech investors as stocks rally, but can it last?
Jittery markets are weighing whether a relief rally in software companies is a big buying opportunity or a temporary jump before a deeper sell-off.
Rate rise risk for March looms large after inflation surprise
Bond yields have climbed and the Aussie dollar is up as traders ramp up bets that the Reserve Bank will be forced to act sooner than many economists expected.
Aware Super opens door to Origin Energy in net zero reset
The $230 billion super giant is abandoning its restrictions on carbon-intensive companies just as rival funds are being scrutinised for greenwashing.
Opinion
The economic case for a ‘sin tax’ on social media
We did the maths to prove social algorithms can be addictive. Like cigarettes or carbon, a tax on algorithms could be the key to breaking the digital arms race.
Economics professor
A truly sustainable NDIS must stop autism creep
The obvious sensitivities around disability and mental health accentuate the political challenge of scaling back the insurance scheme.
Editorial
Speech reveals cracks in the world according to Trump
The president’s State of the Union address reflected Republican concerns they are on track to lose control of Congress in November.
Columnist
It’s time we took Pauline seriously
One Nation is polling at 30 per cent as voters abandon the Coalition. It’s a sign that the Western shift toward consistent, raw conviction has reached Australia.
Leadership coach
The AI productivity boom is not here (yet)
Artificial intelligence is improving fast and investment has been vast, but there is scarce evidence the technology is driving real productivity gains.
Big Build scandal exposes IBAC’s fatal flaws
Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission is the country’s weakest watchdog. It lacks the teeth to bite the hand that funds it.
Integrity expert
Reports
Motoring: The road ahead
How electric vehicles are travelling, China’s rise to car-making powerhouse, what’s new in Formula 1 – and where all the small cars went.
New car buyers set to win from global market shake-up
As China continues to gain market share and fully electric vehicles struggle to win over Australian drivers, the automotive industry faces uncertain times.
Uncomfortable reality of luxury EV resale value
Prestige brands face competition from new electric vehicle makers touting similar technology at lower price tags.
Big Formula 1 rule changes face first test at Australian Grand Prix
The regulation overhaul makes cars shorter, narrower and lighter and could have a major impact on who crosses the line first.
Politics
‘Spare me the condescension, old man’: Tame fires back at PM
Watch live: Senate hearing on Triple Zero outage hears of “terrible” calls; Grace Tame dismisses PM’s apology after he labelled her “difficult”. Follow live.
‘Shameful episode’: Poorest and richest states square off in GST spat
MPs from Australia’s poorest state are upping the pressure for an overhaul of the GST distribution, arguing the current arrangement was designed to win seats in WA.
Why a $10b autism bill is forcing a rethink of the NDIS
The number of older children and adults being diagnosed with it under the National Disability Insurance Scheme is surging, costing taxpayers far more each year.
Treasury examines 33pc CGT deduction
A reduction in the capital gains tax deduction from 50 per cent to 33 per cent is being worked up by Treasury. But will it raise enough revenue?
Bullock says patience needed on inflation as rate calls get tougher
The Reserve Bank governor says the improving economy and tighter labour market is posing a different challenge for the central bank.
World
Trump to summon Amazon, Google, Meta chiefs over data centres
The president said he had negotiated a deal with tech giants to cover the energy costs of centres, but offered few details. Now he’s asking them to sign pledges.
Epstein files missing records of woman who claimed Trump abused her
The revelation came amid further fallout from files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein: Larry Summers quit Harvard, and Bill Gates admitted to two affairs.
Australia tells families of diplomats to leave Israel, Lebanon
Voluntary departures have been offered to dependants of diplomats in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan amid a “deteriorating security situation”.
The moment that showed Trump’s a master political operator
In his marathon State of the Union address, the president was energised and engaged. He kept his jokes tasteful - and he showed up his Democratic rivals on key voter issues.
US tariff rate to hit 15pc or more for some nations, trade rep says
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said some tariffs would rise but did not give any details about which countries would be affected.
Property
‘Pie in the sky’: First home buyers shut out of market in all Australian cities
Sydney’s entry-level house price has surpassed $1 million and analysts are criticising Labor’s scheme for contributing to the huge price growth.
Fund manager Centuria lifts guidance amid agricultural push
The ASX-listed fund manager has hit close to $22 billion in funds under management, its highest total yet. Diversification is key to its strategy.
Mirvac gets approval for $1.9b Western Sydney Airport hub
The first stage of the joint venture with superfund ART, which will start completing next year, will help shift Sydney’s centre of economic activity west.
AFL club secretly buys 26 houses ahead of $250m development
Port Adelaide, chaired by David Koch, quietly acquired houses over three years surrounding its training ground, Alberton Oval, and has a loan from the AFL.
Ryan Stokes sells $23.5m Gold Coast beachfront site to luxury developer
The SGH chairman has sold his Palm Beach block to Graya’s Rob and Andrew Gray, despite gaining DA approval for luxury apartments.
Wealth
Real Housewives star denies criminal claims of falsifying evidence
The case between billionaire Alex Waislitz’s partner and her sister was interrupted after a tense exchange about whether the ex-TV star altered text messages.
It’s time to act on super’s harmful mislabelling problem
Look past the “balanced” tag to ensure your super is invested in a way that aligns with your risk tolerance and retirement timeline.
ATO targets 93,000 SMSFs in $1trn sector crackdown
One in seven self-managed superannuation funds don’t file tax returns on time, exposing a key problem for the ATO’s oversight of the fast-growing sector.
Technology
Samsung’s new privacy phone lets you hide in plain sight
The new screen on the Galaxy S26 Ultra can be viewed only by the phone’s owner, not by people nearby.
AI slop replaces corporate spin as execs get it wrong on LinkedIn
If there’s an upside to the proliferation of artificial intelligence in online posts it’s a new game – bullshit bingo.
‘Prepare for the worst:’ Cisco CEO warns AI will mirror dotcom crash
Chuck Robbins has a unique view as a giant of both the AI infrastructure and software markets, saying the current sell-off is overblown, but plenty won’t survive.
Work & Careers
How life changed for this CEO when private equity took over
Queensland Airports chief Amelia Evans always thought she’d be an accounting firm partner. “That was my life. I was set.” She recalls. Only she wasn’t.
Being ‘nice’ usually costs you at work. Could those days be ending?
Research shows being agreeable has traditionally carried a major lifetime pay penalty, but artificial intelligence might start to change that.
Life & Luxury
Chenin blanc was once a workhorse. Now it’s refined
Victoria is known for its white wine varieties – but this summer, a new grape is taking table stakes.
Sacked, then rehired. Now rare Venice honour for Khaled Sabsabi
He almost did not appear in the Venice Biennale at all. Now the western Sydney artist will be shown at the “arts Olympics” not once but twice.
Uniqlo used to be good. Now it’s great
The Japanese brand’s new creative director Clare Waight Keller is bringing her high fashion pedigree to the $25 billion-dollar brand.
Big Formula 1 rule changes face first test at Australian Grand Prix
The regulation overhaul makes cars shorter, narrower and lighter and could have a major impact on who crosses the line first.
Is it better to fly premium economy or choose a budget business seat?
When a trade-off is required, these are the best cheaper options for sleep, entertainment, one-stop and multi-leg flights.
