May
Labor goes to war with Meta in far-reaching inquiry
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg and X owner Elon Musk could be called on to face federal parliament, as part of a new inquiry into social media algorithms.
- Tom McIlroy
December 2023
- Exclusive
- Superannuation
Labor signals review of superannuation fund performance tests
Possible changes canvassed by the government will include a shift from a strict benchmark introduced by the Coalition, two industry sources say.
- Ronald Mizen and Kylar Loussikian
August 2023
Labor aims to ‘protect’ Qantas profit, Joyce clashes with senators
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has refused to say whether more competition from Qatar Airways would lower international airfares.
- Updated
- Ayesha de Kretser, Ronald Mizen and Tom Rabe
Labor blocked Qatar flights to protect Qantas’ profit
As the government talks tough on competition policy and prepares a crackdown on firms using market power to dud consumers, one minister says Qantas is a special case.
- Updated
- Ronald Mizen and Ayesha de Kretser
July 2023
Tap surplus for infrastructure spend: Labor MP
Anthony Albanese and Jim Chalmers are stressing caution around the first federal budget surplus in 15 years, but the Greens and welfare groups want more spending.
- Tom McIlroy and Andrew Tillett
June 2023
Government to consider amending franking credit changes
A Senate committee wants to tweak the Albanese government’s crackdown on franking credits because it could accidentally hit banks and start-up companies.
- John Kehoe
May 2023
Treasury says investors are wrong on franking credit changes
Claims that the government is out to destroy the franking credit system have been rebuffed by Treasury and the Tax Office.
- John Kehoe
March 2023
Bankers bonuses at risk under accountability laws
Directors and executives at banks, insurance firms and superannuation funds face losing 40 per cent of their bonuses if they fall foul of tough new laws.
- Tom McIlroy and Michael Read
February 2023
Green light looms for Labor on super tax changes
Key crossbenchers look set to sign on to tax changes for retirement accounts with balances of more than $3 million, but the Greens could push the government to go harder.
- Tom McIlroy and John Kehoe
ATO pursues 50,000 fraudsters in online-based GST scam worth billions
The promoters of the fraudulent scheme use social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram and Facebook to recruit participants.
- Luca Ittimani
Tudge breaks down during resignation speech
Former minister Alan Tudge speaks of death threats against his children; PM warns Australia’s global reputation will take a hit if Voice referendum fails. Follow updates here.
- Updated
- Georgie Moore and Natasha Rudra
November 2022
Labor rejects Greens deal on $1.1m fines for law-breaking bankers
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Labor’s aborted attempt to levy fines on law-breaking executives has not damaged Labor’s relationship with business.
- Michael Read, James Eyers and Aleks Vickovich
October 2022
Sophisticated investor test to face fresh scrutiny
Treasury will examine the opportunities available to ‘sophisticated’ investors and whether property investment schemes should be subject to tougher regulation.
- Michael Read
Banks to opt for dividends after buyback crackdown
The Albanese government’s crackdown on share buybacks could cause banks to resort to paying more special dividends to distribute franking credits.
- John Kehoe
Geoff Wilson takes anti-tax campaign to 130,000 shareholders
The fund manager is urging his investors to lobby MPs to stop planned changes to tax rules for franked dividends funded by capital raisings.
- John Kehoe
Labor signals delay to franked dividend hit
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has signalled the government may delay the start date of its crackdown, but won’t back down on the “tax integrity” measure.
- John Kehoe
September 2022
Gerry Harvey slams Labor’s retrospective dividend hit
Westpac and Harvey Norman shareholders could receive shock tax bills due to the government’s proposed retrospective crackdown on franked dividends funded by capital raisings.
- John Kehoe
August 2022
- Opinion
- Super wars
Big super is the new money power in Canberra
Labor and superannuation funds want to conceal political donations, amid a changing of the guard of financiers away from bankers who influence the government, writes John Kehoe.
- John Kehoe
July 2022
Budget cuts needed after $1b blowout in business registry revealed
Labor will need to make additional budget cuts after uncovering a $1 billion blowout in the Coalition’s signature program to consolidate business registries.
- Michael Read
Buy now, pay later regulation inches closer
The booming sector will be treated as credit, Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones says, paving the way for tighter rules.
- Ronald Mizen and Ayesha de Kretser
