Leading the charge in energy: it’s your turn to be recognised for innovation and excellence.
Here’s who’s really funding Pauline Hanson’s political takeover
If Allegra Spender ever wanted to meet the financial backers of One Nation’s rapid political ascent, she need not stroll far from her Wentworth home.
‘It was wild’: The untamed reign of Perth’s golden boy
Former employees of Laurence Escalante’s VGW lift the lid on the wild parties and toxic workplace culture they say were rife at the billionaire’s gambling empire.
Run on valuers and tax disputes loom in new CGT regime
More than 2 million investors in property and private businesses are being warned they will be slugged thousands of dollars to have their assets valued.
Should you buy an investment property after the budget changes?
New restrictions on negative gearing and capital gains tax alter the appeal of residential property. Here’s what to consider next.
Trump hails US resurgence, says ‘Golden Age of America’ has begun
Ukraine targets oil terminal at Russia’s St Petersburg port; Taylor Swift marries Travis Kelce in New York; Trump vows to restore America’s ‘identity’ in Independence Day address. Follow live updates.
Fewer seats, higher fares: In 5 years, Qantas will be unrecognisable
Project Sunrise will retire Qantas as a mass-market brand and product, vaulting it back into the top three premium international airlines globally.
KPMG’s crisis circuit-breaker triggers a fresh disaster
New chair Michael Ebeid’s day one disaster has infuriated partners and exposed deep fractures, yet KPMG’s hunt for a new CEO leaves him temporarily safe.
weekend reads
James Ashby: Pauline Hanson’s ‘favourite son’ and apex power player
In a political party built entirely on one woman’s name, James Ashby ensures he is the only other voice that matters.
Why America is still the best place to build a career or business
As the US marks its 250th anniversary, top Australian business leaders are bullish but not blind to structural cracks putting the nation’s superpower status at risk.
Swipe carefully, ladies. How criminals are beating the dating apps
Last year, the face of a convicted con man turned up on Bumble as “Steve, 53”. The world knows him by another name.
ASX caps ‘toughest year’ for stock pickers with no end in sight
Investors that missed the surge in resources shares during the 2026 financial year were also hit by a brutal sell-off in technology and healthcare darlings.
ASX set for wave of passive money as countdown to CGT change begins
Changes to capital gains tax don’t kick in for another year, but the impact is expected to be felt on the sharemarket much sooner.
smart investor
How to make a 4-day work week stack up financially
On a $150,000 salary, you need a $600,000 portfolio to permanently fund a three-day weekend. Here is how the tax and investment calculations work
Take advantage of your peak earning years
Champion jockey Zac Purton is in a race against time to turn his multimillion-dollar salary into lifelong wealth. This is what he’s doing.
Why the new $10m CGT small business threshold won’t help your super
The higher turnover test applies to only one of four small business concessions, leaving the rules that allow extra funds into super completely unchanged.
How the great wealth transfer is rewriting the investment playbook
Tens of trillions of dollars are moving between generations and younger heirs feel little loyalty to traditional advisers.
Why testamentary trusts just became the new tax superstars
The exemption for testamentary trusts means it is still possible to get significant tax benefits and robust asset protection in one structure.
Our Watch Weekend returns in September, exclusive for subscribers. Bookings open on July 31.
Companies
Chalmers picks KPMG insider for APRA deputy chair
David Bradbury is a former KPMG partner who was involved in one of the firm’s contracts under scrutiny in the audit leaks scandal.
BYD almost topples Toyota as EV sales soar again
Electric vehicles made up more than a fifth of the new car market, as the Chinese EV giant BYD fell just 243 cars short of market leadership for the month.
Egypt ends Socceroos’ run after Popovic’s gamble fails to deliver
The decision in extra time to swap goalkeepers fell short as Egypt scored four penalties to Australia’s two, to advance to the Round of 16.
Meet the rich country family backing Karl Stefanovic
The Salerno family, who own Ringers Western, likens their support of the broadcaster to jumping onto the back of an attacking crocodile to save a family member.
John Winning named in legal case by former executive against retailer
There are multiple Fair Work claims against the company, although this is the first time the outgoing CEO has been named in legal action by his former friend.
‘Perverse in the extreme’: Senex rips into gas reserve plan
Senex CEO Darren Stevenson said it was “mind-boggling” that the government was engineering oversupply of gas that would drive down prices below costs of production.
New David Jones CEO’s eyes on margins, stops short of profit guarantee
Erica Berchtold has been in the top job just two weeks. She aims to win back supplier trust and expand margins through better sourcing and private labels.
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Markets
Gen Z turns to ETFs as AI, SpaceX whip up retail investor frenzy
Hungry to break into the impenetrable real estate market, young Australians are turning to shares to save for a deposit despite the recent tax changes.
European stocks rally to cap their best week since May
Europe’s Stoxx 600 rose 0.7 per cent to end the trading week, closing at a record high. Nasdaq 100 futures rebounded 1.2 per cent.
Fundies are loading up on ASX dogs. Here’s what they’re buying
Top investors are scouring the beaten-up technology, healthcare and consumer sectors for bargains in the new financial year.
Record wave of ETFs flood the ASX, with more to come
Firms are rushing to launch new funds on the ASX as retail investors demand access to the country’s top fund managers.
Weak US June jobs report fails to resolve interest rate debate
Economists are divided over the outlook for US interest rates, though a hold this month and potentially in September now seem more likely.
Opinion
America at 250: love it or loath it, the world still needs it
The country’s extraordinary history suggests it still holds the unique capacity to anchor the democratic world and recommit itself to responsible global leadership.
Editorial
PM and treasurer want to eat the pie themselves, not grow it for all
These professional politicians behave like parasites, sucking the life out of private enterprise. But the blood suckers should be careful what they wish for.
Columnist
World Cup made Europeans fall for America
The soccer extravaganza is boosting American patriotism just as Trump’s narcissism is souring the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence.
Columnist
Australian universities can’t afford naivety on academic partnerships
Academic institutions should remain places of openness and collaboration. But it shouldn’t mean inadvertently emboldening countries that don’t share our interests.
Editorial
Naomi Osaka isn’t just wearing fashion. She’s rewriting the business of sport
Brands no longer look only for reach, they seek something far more valuable: cultural authorities. People who can create conversations about memorable ideas.
Fashion industry executive
Little surprise in gas companies crying foul
Readers’ letters on gas reservation, the US celebrations, Victorian Labor’s mess, the foreign investor tax, the Church’s legal waste, and anti-money-laundering.
Letters to the Editor
Politics
OECD singles out Australia’s over-reliance on income tax
Despite Labor’s $250-a-year tax offset for workers, personal income tax in Australia is projected to climb to its highest share of the economy since the mid-1980s.
Labor’s online safeguard ‘can do little to stop antisemitism’
Abuse directed at Jews generally but not singling out Australian Jews likely to slip through new anti-hate protections, senior public servant reveals
Deeming staves off planned Liberal Party meeting to axe her
Victorian MP Moira Deeming has temporarily won an eleventh-hour bid to remain as a Liberal candidate at this year’s state election.
One Nation set to be kingmaker in Victoria’s upper house
One Nation has cannibalised the votes of the major parties mainly in regional Victoria and Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Bedsheets that monitor your health: Fears over R&D ‘funding cliff’
A Melbourne-based start-up founder hopes his technology will deliver but fears a proposed 10-year age limit on the R&D tax incentive will thwart innovation.
World
Heading to Europe for the holidays? Brace for ‘queue chaos’
Airlines, airports and tour operators are urging the European Union to suspend new security checks causing long delays for Australian and other foreign travellers.
Sam Altman’s $62b gift to Trump is a genius power play
The president has touted his love for AI, but it’s the OpenAI boss who will benefit most from giving the US administration a 5 per cent stake in the start-up.
Putin is cornered, but that’s proving a dangerous thing
Ukraine is taking the war to Russia, but so far the Russian president’s response has been to keep attacking, including with deadly ballistic missile strikes on Kyiv.
Germany bans workers from calling in sick
New rules designed to boost the stagnating economy require ill employees to get a doctor’s note immediately.
‘Woke nonsense’: Trump’s gun sale reforms to benefit son’s company
The president’s eldest son is a key player in GrabAGun, a company that hopes to dominate the sale of firearms through the mail in the United States.
Property
Aware Super buys into $1.7b German student housing play
Australia’s biggest super funds including Aware Super are stepping up their investment in global property markets as they outgrow opportunities at home.
Meet the members of the exclusive men’s club you’ve never heard of
After more than half a century and 609 well-watered lunches, this elite gathering of movers and shakers in Sydney’s pub world shows no signs of calling time.
Residents get a say on Rinehart’s revised HQ helipad plan
People living on Perth’s western fringe are being asked to weigh in on billionaire Gina Rinehart’s amended Hancock Prospecting HQ helipad proposal.
Global fund ready to back renewables as data centre roll-out builds
PGIM has a big interest in the build-out of renewable energy needed to meet rising demand.
Lowy family joins US funds giant shopping for local malls
It’s the second time in a year that the powerful Lowy family, which founded and then sold out of the Westfield empire, have bought into a shopping mall.
Wealth
How the great wealth transfer is rewriting the investment playbook
Tens of trillions of dollars are moving between generations and younger heirs feel little loyalty to traditional advisers.
Secret backer in Wright family feud appeals millions in court fees
Solicitor Ian McGregor Thom signed a deed promising assistance to iron-ore heir Julian Wright in return for a substantial share of any win.
How to make a 4-day work week stack up financially
On a $150,000 salary, you need a $600,000 portfolio to permanently fund a three-day weekend. Here is how the tax and investment calculations work
Technology
How anti-smartphone movement Wait Mate is spreading through schools
While the government beefs up its social media ban, parents are taking matters into their own hands and banding together in a stand against the creeping power of big tech.
How Chinese AI models are closing the gap on Anthropic and OpenAI
The temporary sidelining of Anthropic may be over, but a Beijing-based alternative made hay while the sun shone.
Meta plots a cloud business to sell AI computing power
One potential plan includes selling access to various AI models that are hosted on Meta’s existing AI infrastructure, an approach similar to AWS’ Bedrock offering.
Work & Careers
Bullock faces pay headache as RBA staff reject 9.5pc wage rise
The no vote on the RBA’s pay deal comes as governor Michele Bullock urges wage restraint across the economy and grapples with mounting costs at the central bank.
BHP scores win in Pilbara fight with unions
A majority of BHP’s workforce at two of its major iron ore mines have sided with the company despite union opposition.
Life & Luxury
Execs go AWOL to lap up summer in Europe
They might call it networking, but business leaders will go to any lengths to ensure they get a few weeks of sun in July.
Swipe carefully, ladies. How criminals are beating the dating apps
Last year, the face of a convicted con man turned up on Bumble as “Steve, 53”. The world knows him by another name.
The 6 best new restaurants and dining experiences to book this July
Success in Australia’s dining scene can often be a case of survival of the tastiest. Here are this month’s top tables.
The treasure (and trash) of Sydney Airport’s lost property auction
As luxury goods, spirits and a Scientologist’s machine all go under the hammer for the 2026 sale, Life & Leisure’s editors share their shortlists.
Fire destroyed their businesses – this is how they bounced back
After several independent winemakers lost everything in the Harcourt bushfires in January, vineyards from around the country rallied round.
