Join the leaders shaping the future of Australia’s healthcare during a period of critical transformation.
Investors to splash $23b on battered ASX as BHP, CBA pay out
Australia’s biggest companies are paying out billions in dividends over the next fortnight that could turbocharge a rebound in the sharemarket.
Macquarie boss nails the big private credit risk
While the heavyweights of private credit told the superannuation sector everything’s fine in Melbourne on Thursday, two experts see long-term risks rising.
Taxpayers paid $907m for NSW projects that went nowhere
The Coalition has blasted nearly $1 billion of capital spending on no new infrastructure, but Labor defended its ditching of projects it said were unviable.
Wartime inflation shock ‘catastrophic’ as fertiliser, plastics soar
The soaring price of lesser known commodities from the Iran war is a double whammy for farmers and manufacturers that have already been hit by the oil shock.
Strikes reported across Middle East; White House deletes bizarre video
Israeli forces strike near a tent camp in Gaza, expand control of southern Lebanon; US government account deletes video in which someone asks ‘It’s launching soon right?’. Follow live updates.
People are dumping their top-tier health insurance
The exodus is expected to accelerate when average premiums increase by 4.4 per cent from April 1, the largest annual hike in almost a decade.
Swinburne vice-chancellor quits amid investigation into chancellor
Pascale Quester has been vice-chancellor since August 2020 and was dealing with the fallout of low employee morale over concerns about the chancellor’s leadership.
Lorna Jane rides buy-local trend to run up sales, profit
The Brisbane-founded label says the athleisure boom that emerged during the pandemic is from is far from over, as sales and profits rise.
The elusive illiquidity premium forces private assets rethink
The guiding principle that has guided billions of dollars of institutional capital into private assets might not actually exist. That’s led to soul-searching.
Copyright holders are ready to do AI deals – under existing laws
A leading creative industry CEO representing songwriters and music publishers says current copyright laws are fit for purpose in the age of artificial intelligence.
MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT
How a US assault on Iran’s Kharg Island would unfold
Seizing the oil export hub by sea or air would choke the regime, but risks dragging American troops into an open-ended conflict.
Trump insists Iran desperate for a deal as crisis deepens
Iran’s foreign minister insisted peace talks with the US were not under way, contradicting the White House as the war’s economic and humanitarian toll mounted.
I escaped from Iran. But I keep reliving the horror
America and Israel were only supposed to hit the Revolutionary Guards but they’re hitting everyone. I don’t think anyone will rise up now.
Payday for Putin as Iran war delivers energy windfall
The Kremlin’s oil sales are expected to double this month as Russia profits from the price surge and sanctions waivers.
China has already won the Iran war
Donald Trump had better do a deal with Iran soon. If the Strait of Hormuz is closed for another month, it is game, set and match to the Russo-Chinese axis.
Senior reporter Jonathan Shapiro and Street Talk co-editor Emma Rapaport on Australia’s new millionaire factory and what’s behind the Magellan and Barrenjoey merger.
Companies
Whistleblower allegations spark parliamentary probe into KPMG Australia
Evidence about allegations of wrongdoing related to the handling of confidential client information has been shared with a powerful parliamentary committee.
Qantas redirects seats from US to Europe to salve profit pain
The aircraft will boost capacity on lucrative routes where Persian Gulf competitors have cut back, while higher fares are expected to mitigate higher fuel costs.
Lorna Jane rides buy-local trend to run up sales, profit
The Brisbane-founded label says the athleisure boom that emerged during the pandemic is from is far from over, as sales and profits rise.
Soul Patts defies private credit jitters with 15pc returns
Soul Patts has made strong returns in its $1.6b private credit business and CEO Todd Barlow says he’s not afraid of investing where others will not.
Social media giants in crosshairs for Australian addiction lawsuits
Emboldened by this week’s landmark US verdicts against Meta and YouTube, local plaintiff law firms are eyeing off class actions against the tech behemoths.
Westpac’s Unite technology project costs rise as it migrates customers
The bank said the expected cost of creating a single mortgage system would increase to $285 million, up from $265 million projected last November.
Inside Fortescue’s AI ‘hive’ that could save the mining giant billions
The Andrew Forrest-chaired group has long had green ambitions. Many have not come off. This time, it is banking on automation to end a need for costly diesel.
SPONSORED
Markets
Investors to splash $23b on battered ASX as BHP, CBA pay out
Australia’s biggest companies are paying out billions in dividends over the next fortnight that could turbocharge a rebound in the sharemarket.
Wartime inflation shock ‘catastrophic’ as fertiliser, plastics soar
The soaring price of lesser known commodities from the Iran war is a double whammy for farmers and manufacturers that have already been hit by the oil shock.
Private credit woes ‘couldn’t be further from the truth’: Apollo
Apollo Global Management president Jim Zelter has hosed down concerns over the viability of the private credit sector, saying media headlines are overblown.
Here are two ASX stocks that are about to go on a tear
Alphinity’s Stuart Welch names a tech stock that is undervalued, reveals the stocks he’s recently sold and explains why he’s still bullish on the miners.
The ASX is a defensive bet. So why has it fizzled during the Iran war?
Investors usually look to the Australian sharemarket as a safe haven. But this month it tanked, as the Middle East conflict hurt miners and the big banks.
Opinion
Time for government to show Dario Amodei its hand in AI poker game
Giants such as Anthropic want to invest fortunes in Australia for infrastructure, and Australia wants their money, but the government must play its cards right.
Editorial
An entire generation is losing faith in Australian democracy
The crippling economic inequality between the young and old, especially for housing, is starting to show in attitudes towards the system of government.
Psychologist
This oil shock is not as bad as the 1970s. Not yet
Fuel prices have not increased as dramatically, 5 per cent inflation is a long way from double-digits, and most home borrowers can cope – for now.
Economics editor
Not in the dictionary, but no mistaking envoy’s meaning
Japan’s ambassador to Australia says any change to gas taxes will curtail investment and Australia’s reputation as a reliable energy partner.
Columnist
Australia must choose the right metric to tax the digital economy
The three theories of value – activity, intellectual property, infrastructure – that the government could use to determine taxation must be closely examined.
Economist
We must avoid future fuel supply disruptions by planning now
The continuing economic impact of the energy crisis is unclear, but we should develop and implement a strategy to deal with the world as it is likely to be.
Energy expert
Politics
‘Needless secrecy’: Government resolves to be upfront over fuel crisis
National cabinet will meet next Monday to discuss the crisis, amid some internal frustration over the government’s tone and messaging to date.
Copyright holders are ready to do AI deals – under existing laws
A leading creative industry CEO representing songwriters and music publishers says current copyright laws are fit for purpose in the age of artificial intelligence.
Australians suffering because of Trump’s war, says Hastie
Given the conflict’s impact here, Andrew Hastie says voters should consider One Nation’s loyalty to the US president when considering a vote for Pauline Hanson.
Taxpayers paid $907m for NSW projects that went nowhere
The Coalition has blasted nearly $1 billion of capital spending on no new infrastructure, but Labor defended its ditching of projects it said were unviable.
You promise, you pay: NSW throws Tomago rescue back to feds
The NSW Government is digging in its heels and pleading poor over the GST distribution in the face of federal pressure to bail out the Tomago aluminium smelter.
World
This PE boss thinks Iran war fallout will shake out ‘zombie’ rivals
Per Franzen, CEO of Swedish private markets group EQT, says he’s on the hunt to snap up assets left behind by thousands of firms he expects to falter.
Robot joins Melania Trump at White House event to tout AI teachers
The humanoid robot, which introduced itself as “Figure 03”, joined the first lady to welcome first spouses from around the world to a technology summit.
Meta and Google found liable in US social media addiction trial
The verdict could mark a turning point in the global backlash against their platforms’ perceived mental health harms to kids and teens.
Drinks maker set for $1.4b windfall from cricket team
London-based spirits manufacturer Diageo is expected to reap big profits from an investment in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad.
SpaceX’s blockbuster IPO could top $100b
SpaceX continues to seek a market debut in June, at what’s set to be a record level, as Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite maker moves forward with listing plans.
Property
A $600 bathroom tap that saved over $30,000 in Double Bay
This 1990s apartment was good quality but dated. The new owners wanted to give the bathroom a makeover but not an expensive one.
Film industry greats to sell iconic Palm Beach abode for $13.5m
Australian film producer David Elfick and his friend, British film great Jeremy Thomas are selling their beloved creative studio on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Luxury apartment prices jump by $125,000 as war sends build costs soaring
Rising energy costs are quickly making their way through the construction sector, posing a further threat to the feasibility of projects.
Two groups are vying to rebuild Gabba precinct ahead of Olympics
The decommissioned Gabba will eventually be replaced with a housing, retail and hospitality precinct after the 2032 Olympic Games.
Pub boom rolls into Tamworth with $160m sale of five venues
In one of the highest prices achieved for a portfolio sale outside the capital cities, the venues in the NSW town have sold to family-run IMG Hotels Group.
Wealth
‘Darling, I’m not going anywhere’: The rise of at-home care
From assistance with everyday tasks to $30,000-a-week clinical care, some Australians are spending whatever it takes to bypass government waitlists and age in place.
Quiet garage sale from Porteous-Hancock mansion includes iconic portrait
Lavish furniture, rugs and a giant portrait of Lang Hancock are among items quietly being offered for sale by Rose Porteous’ husband.
Gen Z puts trust in AI for financial advice. ASIC says don’t
Gen Z’s use of, and trust in, social media and AI to deliver financial advice has the corporate regulator worried.
Technology
Canva splashes $30m on Melbourne advertising start-up
As it pushes to become more of an artificial intelligence platform, the design software giant has made Melbourne-based Doohly its third purchase of 2026.
Atlassian tumbles 8.4pc as market panics over two new AI tools
US-listed software stocks sank on news Amazon’s cloud-computing arm is developing an AI agent to automate some sales and business development functions.
Apple plans AI reboot with Siri App, new look in iOS 27
The new Siri is slated to be unveiled June 8 at the iPhone maker’s Worldwide Developers Conference as part of a broader artificial intelligence overhaul.
Work & Careers
Swinburne vice-chancellor quits amid investigation into chancellor
Pascale Quester has been vice-chancellor since August 2020 and was dealing with the fallout of low employee morale over concerns about the chancellor’s leadership.
Why performance reviews are hackneyed and need a makeover
The ritual of awkward once-a-year conversations often fails to provide constructive feedback.
Life & Luxury
Sunscreen regulation faces overhaul after SPF failures
The Therapeutic Goods Administration is moving to restore public trust after an investigation found many products failed to meet their label claims.
What to wear, according to top street-style photographers
The eyes behind the lens have a close-up on the best style of the season. Mules or moccasins? Parachute pants or pinstripes? Let them lead the way.
This fashion capital just scored an ultra-luxury hotel
With a post-Olympics glow, Milan is in its renaissance era, and Rocco Forte’s The Carlton channels the city’s resplendent spirit in spades.
David Wenham on what The Iliad can tell us about today’s war
The Lord Of The Rings made him a global screen star, but another epic has drawn the Sydney-born actor back to his first love: theatre.
The latest tricks marketers are using to get you to spend
These days, retailers are throwing everything at the wall – including basketballs – to part you from your money.
