PM goes on billion-dollar cyber war footing amid China tensions
More than 500 new cyber spies will be recruited as part of a record $1.35 billion increase to strengthen the nation's cyber defences.
- Exclusive
- Heydon controversy
Barrister calls out Murray Gleeson on High Court secrecy
There is no honour in protecting the perpetrators of sexual harassment, a former High Court associate says.
Former Westpac boss David Morgan in bid for NAB's MLC Wealth
One of the godfathers of Australia's banking industry, David Morgan, is behind a bid to buy National Australia Bank's big superannuation and advice arm MLC Wealth.
ASX to rise as healthy US housing data boosts markets
Australian shares are set to rise as Wall Street clawed back gains after a strong showing from the US housing market.
'This is not even close to being over'
Faced with soaring cases in the US, Republicans have performed a U-turn on wearing face masks, breaking with Donald Trump. Follow our live blog here.
- Exclusive
- Retail Summit
Why global expansion makes most sense now for Afterpay
Afterpay co-founder Nick Molnar lays out the company's expansion ambitions in this edited transcript of an interview by James Daggar-Nickson at the Financial Review Retail Summit.
Victoria never really flattened virus curve
Even before the recent COVID-19 outbreaks in Melbourne suburbs and the sharp increase in daily cases, the southern state had not durably flattened the number of new daily cases, new data analysis shows.
Expert advice for getting ahead in the new world of work left by COVID-19
Get the Work & Careers newsletter every Thursday in your inbox.
Sign up now
Companies
Virgin rebuild could see 5000 jobs cut
The projection from a former chief economist of Qantas comes as Virgin's management team prepares to meet its likely new owners to discuss the size and scope of the relaunched airline.
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Cash is dying as startups swoop in
The death of cash is still some way off, but a tipping point is fast approaching helped by consumer realisation that contactless payments are more secure and more convenient.
- Exclusive
- Retail
Woolworths B2B plans cause supplier indigestion
Food and grocery suppliers fear Woolworths' $1 billion push into the B2B sector will threaten an alternative profit stream.
One in five workers call on super in pandemic
As many as 2.5 million Australians, or 20 per cent of the labour force, could seek to withdraw more of their retirement savings on Wednesday.
Safeguards proposed to avert power bill shock
The new rules would save households whose electricity retailer fails in the pandemic from being forced onto more expensive tariffs.
Is small business banking the new cool for the financial fraternity?
Small business banking has long been a backwater. But things are heating up as the big banks' rivalry to lure offshore talent demonstrates.
D-day looms for absent Freedom Foods CEO
Freedom is also facing pressure for board change after chairman Perry Gunner admitted on a conference call with investors the board was "not fully aware of the situation we now find ourselves in".
Markets
CSL, Fortescue, Afterpay dominate in bad year for banks
The past 12 months have been a wild ride for investors but a number of stocks have still managed to deliver, muscling out the old-school blue chips.
- Analysis
- Shares
Central banks are the only game in town
They have delivered almost free money, driving a monster rally over the past three months and pushing valuations back to pre-pandemic levels.
Time for tough policy choices is now
The Coalition government should prioritise tax review and also look at shaking up the country's industrial relations, and skills and training, economists say.
Top economists say negative rates unlikely in Australia
The nation's leading market economists say negative rates aren't likely to be introduced to Australia, arguing that the benefits are negligible at best.
ASX lower as renewed restrictions risks weigh on travel, landlords
ASX down 1.5pc as rising cases in Victoria, US hit confidence; JPMorgan doubles down on overweight rating for JB Hi-Fi after supportive market research.
Opinion
Time's up for silence on what happens in chambers
When unwritten rules among judges protect those who harass women, then it is time for the rules to change.
Contributor
GST success shows up carbon tax failure
The success of the GST only underlines continuing tax reform failures on both sides of politics, including over the carbon tax.
Editorial
GST reform held prisoner by the veto power of the states
John Howard got GST through by giving the states a lock on any changes. In the worst crisis in a generation, that needs to be looked at again.
Contributor
How to avoid a September cliff edge
Bond sales to the Reserve Bank would allow stimulus to continue without busting the budget or raising taxes.
Small business the canary in US economic coal mine
If you are looking to predict the shape of the US economic recovery, don’t look at the markets. Talk to the owner of a local café.
Contributor
COVID-19 has suspended middle-class growth
Once a trend on which the hopes of governments and businesses were predicated, middle-class growth has been partially furloughed. In its place: rising poverty.
Contributor
Politics
- Exclusive
- Foreign relations
Owen Harries: Australian intellect who illuminated the world
The country's most influential Washington insider, he was also an essayist, public speaker, conservative intellectual, networker extraordinaire and possessor of a wicked wit.
ATO tax complaints and appeal processes probed
Inspector-General of Taxation Karen Payne has announced plans to investigate how the ATO communicates with Australians.
Airports seek $42m to avoid airfare hike
In a letter to the Transport Minister, AAA chief executive James Goodwin said airports were struggling to pay for the security standards required by the government.
No plans to switch from COVIDSafe despite big tech adjustments
Apple and Google have changed their operating systems to enable phones to better "see" each other via Bluetooth, but the federal government argues this is still not suitable for Australian contact tracing.
Suburb lockdowns loom as Victoria records 75 new cases
Victoria will decide on suburb lockdowns within days after 75 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed on Monday.
SPONSORED
World
- Analysis
- Hong Kong protests
Hong Kong is about to lose its autonomy
China is expected to implement new national security laws for Hong Kong on July 1, the anniversary of the city's handover. For many, it spells the end of the city's independence.
Chinese newspaper accuses Australia of spying offensive
A Chinese tabloid accuses Australia of sending agents to China to spy, gather intelligence and recruit students and citizens for espionage operations.
Green surge in local elections puts Macron under climate pressure
The unpopular centre-right President is now expected to reassert his environmental credentials with a headland speech on Monday.
Germany holds the line against second wave of COVID-19
But now Lisbon is in a localised lockdown and the British city of Leicester could be next – although its mayor is resisting action until new data comes in.
Musk calls Bezos a copycat after Amazon buys Australian start-up
The e-commerce giant's purchase of self-driving car company Zoox prompted self-driving pioneer Elon Musk to take a jab at Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
Property
Mortgage arrears to rise among first home buyers
First home buyers and recent homeowners face higher risks of default due to higher borrowing and low savings.
Education offices move to top of the class
The Department of Education has leased 2800sq m of office space in Macquarie Park, north-west of Sydney's CBD.
GSA forges ahead with Adelaide student digs
British student accommodation provider GSA is forging ahead with plans for a $110 million new facility in central Adelaide.
Redfern shops and units to make way for student housing
Singaporean developer Wee Hur intends to develop a 459-bed student accommodation facility on Regent Street in Redfern.
Coronavirus the 'last straw' for Servcorp in the US
The ASX-listed serviced office provider will halve its footprint across the United States with the closure of 12 offices.
Wealth
- Opinion
- Sharemarket
Lessons for equity investors in the new financial year
Brace yourself and learn from how you have handled the roller-coaster market since the start of COVID-19.
- Opinion
- Australian economy
Stimulus cliff doesn't have to scuttle the economy
Yes we are in a recession, but the ability of domestic policy to maintain baseline spending in the economy, combined with recovery in Asia, will help.
How to maximise your tax refund in the year of COVID-19
As well as ticking off your "to-do" list before June 30, ensure you're making the most of ATO special concessions.
Technology
- Exclusive
- Construction
Lendlease hails greatest construction innovation of the next 100 years
With "digital twins", Lendlease says it can model every aspect of new buildings before they are built, and detect problems in advance with artificial intelligence.
- Exclusive
- Fintech
Australia lags world on robo-adviser embrace
Sixty-two per cent of Australian investors indicated they prefer to rely on humans over a technology-based investing platform.
- Analysis
- Open banking
Open banking a clarion call for bank IT transformation
Major banks say open banking, which begins on Wednesday, is driving new thinking about IT architecture, providing a template for the energy and telco sectors.
Work & Careers
How companies can bring the water-cooler chat to working from home
There's one thing that is much harder to do over Zoom: the water-cooler chat. Here's how companies can keep it alive in the virtual world.
Union case to delay penalty rate cuts questioned
The retail union has accepted there is no "absolute link" between penalty rate cuts and minimum wage increases as it pursues a last-minute bid to delay the cuts set to take effect this weekend.
Life & Luxury
The CEO who uses rock climbing as a stress buster
Andreas Dzumla has taken his passion indoors, but still loves the calm that comes with focusing on nothing but his next move.
Rich Lister Paul Blackburne's new definition of luxury
Like many business leaders, the three-month lockdown has taught Paul Blackburne things about himself and his business.
Lady Dior handbag leaves formality behind for 25th anniversary
Named in honour of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, Dior's famed tote is reimagined in a softer, more casual way this year.
What happens to your body when you don't have sex for a long time
COVID-19 has made it difficult for many people to be intimate with those who don’t live in their homes. That can have unexpected consequences, say experts.
Why dance music king Diplo has gone country
The superstar producer says if you grew up in America's south like he did, the recent success of country-rap is no surprise.
